Taco soup offers the enjoyable flavours of a taco all stewed together in one pot. Stew is tasty enough for supper, but too light to enjoy only in winter. Because taco soup is easy to prepare and affordable, it has gained adoration in the UK and all over the world.
The food is very easy to make and works great for preparing meals for many people. Regardless of your guests’ preferences, this dish is simple to modify. Try making a pro-style taco soup using goods found in stores across the UK.
Here are a few reasons why you will appreciate this soup.
- Convenience: Making and cleaning it is easy
- Meals can be adapted to suit the needs of many individuals.
- Inexpensive: I cook with things I have on hand and tinned products.
- Contains plenty of protein, fibre and vegetables.
- It is an ideal meal at home because the flavors are mild and tasty.
Recipe for a crowd (enough for 6 people)
For the foundation step
- Using 500g of lean beef mince (or mince made from turkey or chicken)
- 1 tbsp olive oil is used.
- Slice 1 onion into pieces.
- 3 garlic cloves that have been minced
- A red bell pepper, chopped.
- 1 tin of tomatoes (weighing 400g)
- 1 tin of sweetcorn, after you have drained it
- Place 1 tended and rinsed 400 gram tin of kidney beans in the colander.
- You can use one 400 gram tin of black beans (or use a mix of beans instead)
- 1 tbsp of tomato purée
- Use 750ml of stock made from beef or vegetables with a low-salt content.
- Use 1 tsp of smoked paprika.
- One and a half teaspoons of cumin
- Sprinkle 1 tsp ground coriander.
- Just enough chilli powder to balance out the taste (to your liking).
- Sprinkle as much salt and black pepper as you like.
Optional Garnishes:
- You could substitute sour cream with Greek yoghurt.
- I like to use grated cheddar or crumbled feta.
- Sliced jalapeños
- You will find that both fresh coriander and cilantro are used in many dishes.
- Lime wedges
- Fed-up tortilla chips
You can find black beans, mixed beans and taco seasoning in tins at popular UK stores, so take advantage if you need them.
Equipment Needed
- A large soup pot or Dutch oven should be used.
- The ingredients will need to be chopped with a knife and a chopping board.
- Measuring spoons
- I use a wooden spoon or spatula for cooking.
Step-by-Step Instructions
In the first step, brown the meat.
In a big pot, heat the olive oil on medium-high heat.
Sauté the chopped onion for 2 to 3 minutes till it appears clear.
Combine the garlic and red pepper; allow to simmer for an extra 2 minutes.
Once the mince is added, cook it until it gets brown and break the meat up with your spoon.
If the mince you are using is quite fatty, take a moment to remove the extra fat before moving on.
In the next step, add the seasoning.
Place tomato purée in the pan and allow it to cook for 1 minute to caramelise.
Include smoked paprika, cumin, coriander, chilli powder, salt and pepper as well.
Work the pan well so that the mince and veg become covered with the spices.
In the third step, mix the ingredients together.
After that, add the diced tomatoes and the stock.
Include the sweetcorn, kidney beans and black beans.
After bringing it to a light boil, turn down the flame to just simmer.
Simmer the meat for the perfect result.
Keep the soup uncovered and simmer it for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring a few times.
Test the dish and use a bit of lime juice if it tastes dull.
Step 5: Put the food on each plate and add a garnish.
Serve into bowls and add a garnish of your choice. Have with bread or chips on the side.
The Story Behind: “The Weeknight Winner”
Because I am a working parent, my meals should be fast and dependable. My kids love taco soup because it is not too spicy, filled with cheese and tastes fantastic. Every week, I prepare a lot and then preserve them for later. It makes dinnertime easier for me when I have a busy day.
— Gareth M. was a brilliant, knowledgeable and enthusiastic historian.
(Values for Per Serving are Approximate)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| The calorie count | 390 |
| Protein | 26g |
| Fat | 14g |
| The sodium in Hardee’s Hash Rounds totals | 5 grams |
| Carbohydrates | 35g |
| Sugars | 8g |
| Fibre | 10g |
| Salt | 1.6g |
Certain types of meat and toppings can mean different nutritional values.
Dietary Variations
- Vegetarian Taco Soup is an amazing dish for everyone. Swap the meat for some extra beans, lentils or plant mince.
- If you wish, prepare the soup with vegetable stock and choose vegan toppings.
- The Nutritarian philosophy has a low-carb or keto option. Instead of beans and corn, cut up some courgette and cauliflower.
- Serve your dish with a topping of avocado and some crème fraîche.
- Gluten-Free: Making this recipe does not require any gluten. Remember to read the label on your stock cubes and various toppings to check for gluten.
Preserving & Heating
- Inside the fridge: Put it in an airtight container and it will last up to 4 days.
- Freeze-proof bags or containers: Place your chilled soup in them and store them in the freezer for as long as 3 months.
- Allow the food to defrost overnight in the refrigerator and then heat it up completely on the hob or microwave.
Serving Suggestions
- Cornbread muffins
- You can cook rice or quinoa.
- Jackets potatoes that are baked
- Main ingredient: lime dressing
- Flatbread flavored with garlic (to give it ethnic flair).
Sound Advice for Succeeding
- Use stock instead of water, as it makes the texture thicker and more delicious.
- Adding a small amount of sugar will take care of sharp acidity in the recipe.
- Browning is important since it helps enhance the taste of your stew.
- Traditional Thai salad bowls: Include all the noodle and topping options on the table.
Sustainability Note
Beans and pulses are great for the environment when used as a protein. Enjoying taco soup will be both healthy and kind to the Earth.
Mince labeled with RSPCA Assured, Red Tractor or Organic is safe to buy, as it’s been farmed in a responsible manner.Taco soup appeals to many houses in the UK because it’s balanced, tasty, flexible and easily ready in no time. It is a suitable meal to cook in bulk for the week or to make at a dinner party for visitors.
Discover Related Articles and Resources
| Action | Description | Button Text | External Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Read Related Article | Discover more about this topic and enhance your knowledge with our related article. | Read More | allrecipes |
| Watch the Video | Watch this insightful video for deeper understanding and tips. | Watch Now |
|
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.What is “taco seasoning,” and can I make it at home with my spices?
A.What a question! Taco seasoning is simply an assortment of spices. This is very simple; you can make your own by simply mixing up the usual spices that you may already possess in your kitchen: take some cumin powder (zeera), a little red chili powder or paprika (lal mirch), garlic powder, and a small amount of salt and add a pinch of black pepper. Homemade allows you to season it to your own salt and spice requirements.
Q.The recipe uses canned beans. Can I use dry beans instead?
A.Certainly! Although canned red kidney beans (surkh lobia) is a convenient shortcut offered in bigger stores, nothing stops one to use dry beans instead, which may be more economical as well. Just remember to soak those beans all night and boil them till they are perfectly soft and then you add to the soup to simmer along with the other ingredients.
Q.Can I make this soup with chicken instead of beef mince (qeema)?
A.Absolutely! Chicken tastes really good in this soup. Chicken mince may be used or even small pieces of boneless chicken. All you have to do is remember that chicken cooks a lot quicker than beef and you can’t add your liquids and other ingredients until the chicken is no longer pink.
Q.My soup seems too thin and watery. How can I make it thicker?
A.The soup can easily be made thicker by simply leaving the lid off and simmering the soup longer (another 10-15 minutes), some of the liquid will be allowed to evaporate. One more awesome secret is to get out approximately a cup of the beans and dinner, crash the beans to a paste with a fork and then mix that mash back into the pot. It is magic to make the soup richer and heartier!
Q.What are some good toppings for taco soup?
A.The prime part is toppings! To add a creamy texture a tablespoon of yogurt (dahi) is a perfect replacement of sour cream. Cheddar cheese, shredded is also yummy. To make this really crunchy put some crushed tortilla chips (such as Doritos) on top, garnish with some fresh coriander (dhania) and a squirt of lime (limu) to cut all the flavours.
Q.Does this soup freeze well? Can I make it ahead of time?
A.Taco soup makes an excellent dish to prepare in bulk due to the fact that it freezes well. Allow the soup to chill completely, then freeze in freezer safe containers or bags so that you can have a fast lunch one day. Then just make sure to freeze your soup alone and then put all your fresh toppings such as yogurt and chips after reheating.