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Instructions
1. Brown the Ground Meat: Start by browning the ground beef (or turkey) in a skillet over medium heat. Once it’s cooked through, drain any excess fat. This step ensures that your soup doesn’t have any greasy spots and allows the meat to absorb the taco seasoning flavors better.
2. Combine the Ingredients in the Slow Cooker: Transfer the browned meat to your slow cooker. Add the diced onion, taco seasoning, black beans, kidney beans, corn, diced tomatoes with green chilies, diced tomatoes, and green chilies. Pour in the broth and water, then stir everything together until it’s well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Cook: Cover the slow cooker and set it to low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. The longer it cooks, the more the flavors will blend together. If you’re short on time, the high setting works just fine, but the low setting will give the soup a deeper, richer flavor.
4. Serve: Once the soup is done cooking, give it a good stir and taste it for seasoning. If you’d like more spice, feel free to add extra chili powder or jalapeños. Ladle the taco soup into bowls and top with your favorite toppings, such as a dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of shredded cheese, or a handful of crunchy tortilla chips.
Why It’s a Great Weeknight Meal
- Minimal Prep Time: Aside from browning the meat, there’s very little prep involved. Toss everything in, set the slow cooker, and let it do the work.
- Family-Friendly: The ingredients are simple and flavorful, making it appealing to kids and adults alike. Plus, you can customize the heat level to suit your family’s preferences.
- Affordable and Filling: With beans, ground meat, and vegetables, this soup is both cost-effective and satisfying. You’ll be left with hearty bowls that will keep you full and content.
- Perfect for Leftovers: Taco soup makes excellent leftovers. In fact, the flavors often taste even better the next day as they continue to meld together. You can store it in the fridge for a few days or freeze individual portions for future meals.
Variations and Customizations
- Vegetarian Option: Replace the ground meat with extra beans or vegetables, such as zucchini or bell peppers, for a delicious vegetarian version.
- Spicy Kick: If you love heat, add fresh diced jalapeños or a few dashes of hot sauce to spice up the soup. You can also add a can of diced green chilies for extra flavor.
- Add Rice: For a heartier meal, stir in some cooked rice toward the end of the cooking time, or serve the soup over a bed of rice.
- Top with Guacamole: For extra creaminess, serve the taco soup with a generous scoop of homemade guacamole.
Conclusion
Slow Cooker Taco Soup is the epitome of a simple, flavorful, and satisfying weeknight meal. It’s easy to make, customizable to your tastes, and perfect for feeding a crowd. Whether you’re craving something hearty after a long day or looking for a dish to please a variety of palates, taco soup is a great go-to recipe. Enjoy the comfort of this delicious, low-maintenance meal tonight!
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