Easy Black Bean Taco Soup Recipe
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This healthy Black Bean Taco Soup is a hearty, protein-packed meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Made with ground turkey (or beef), black beans, tomatoes, and warm spices, this Mexican-inspired soup gives you comfort and flavor in every bite. Serve it as-is, with rice or quinoa, or set it on a taco bar with toppings for a customizable family dinner.
Want more slow cooker soup recipes? Try this Herbed Chicken And White Bean Soup, this Slow Cooker Tortilla Chicken Stew, or this White Chicken Chili recipe.
This easy Black Bean Taco Soup is a healthy and versatile dinner made with ground turkey, black beans, and warm spices. Make it on the stovetop or in the slow cooker, and load it with your favorite taco toppings for a weeknight dinner everyone will love.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- 10-minute slow cooker prep.
- It uses plenty of pantry staples.
- Each person can customize with their own favorite toppings.
- It’s high in protein and fiber.
- It’s freezer-friendly.
Ingredients For Black Bean Taco Soup
- Oil – Extra virgin olive oil or any light-flavored oil.
- Ground turkey – or substitute beef, chicken, or TVP crumbles.
- Red onion – You can also use yellow or white.
- Garlic cloves – Pick the biggest ones on the bulb.
- Red bell pepper – Or any color.
- Black beans – Canned, drained, and rinsed (no sugar added), or home-cooked.
- Diced tomatoes – Canned (no sugar added) or fresh.
- Chicken broth – Or veggie broth for vegetarians – No sugar added.
- Green chilies – Canned, mild or hot.
- Spices – cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt.
- Optional base – rice or quinoa.
Recipe Variations
- Swap black beans for pinto or kidney beans.
- Use shredded chicken or leftover rotisserie chicken.
- Add corn, broccoli, or Rotel without sugar for extra texture.
- Make it vegetarian with veggie broth + plant-based protein.
- For more spice, stir in cayenne or jalapeños.
How To Make Black Bean Taco Soup (Step-by-Step Instructions)
Here’s how to make this delicious soup for dinner tonight.
Stovetop Method
Warm the oil in a large soup or stock pot.
Sauté the onions and bell pepper in the oil until the onions are translucent. Add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute more.
Add the ground turkey and cook long enough to brown it.
Once the meat is browned, stir in the spices. The pan will get very dry, but keep stirring to warm the spices.
Add the chilies, tomatoes, and chicken broth. Cook until the meat is cooked through, stirring often.
Lastly, stir in the black beans and simmer long enough to warm them through.
Add salt to taste and serve as is or over rice or quinoa.
Slow Cooker instructions
- Put everything into a slow cooker and stir well to break up the meat.
- Cook on low heat for 2-3½ hours or on high for 1-2 hours.
Topping And Serving Ideas for Black Bean Taco Soup
You can serve this as a first course to any Mexican-style meal or enjoy it as a main course with any Mexican-style side dishes. Some suggestions are:
- Tortilla Chips or Strips
- Avocado
- Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt
- Shredded Cheese
- Fresh Salsa or Pico de Gallo
- Cilantro
- Lime Wedges
- Cornbread or Corn Muffins
- Green Salad
- Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- Rice, wild rice, or Mexican Rice
- Quinoa
- A side of beans
- A burrito
- Shredded tortillas
FAQs
Can I Use Dried Beans?
Not in this recipe. Use canned or pre-cooked beans.
Can I Make This Vegetarian Or Vegan?
Yes, you can. Simply substitute the meat for something like TVP or other meat substitute, and then switch out the chicken broth for vegetable broth.
How Spicy Is Black Bean Taco Soup?
As the recipe is written, this is very mild. But you can add some kick to it by adding some cayenne or jalapeños.
Storage, Freezing & Reheating
- Store in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freeze for up to 4 months, tightly sealed.
- Reheat on a stovetop or in a microwave, stirring occasionally.
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Black Bean Taco Soup Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Large soup pot
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp. oil
- 1½ cups chopped red onion
- 1 cup chopped red bell pepper
- 6 large garlic cloves (pressed or finely minced)
- 1 lb. ground turkey
- 1 tbsp. ground cumin
- 1 tbsp. chili powder
- 1 tbsp. smoked paprika
- 4 oz. canned diced green chilies
- 28 oz. canned diced tomatoes
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 30 oz. canned black beans (drained and rinsed, or 3¾ cups home-cooked)
- salt to taste
- rice or quinoa as needed
Instructions
- Warm the oil in a large soup or stock pot.2 tbsp. oil
- Sauté the onions and bell pepper in the oil until the onions are translucent. Add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute more.1½ cups chopped red onion, 1 cup chopped red bell pepper, 6 large garlic cloves
- Add the ground turkey and cook long enough to brown it.1 lb. ground turkey
- Once the meat is browned, stir in the spices. The pan will get very dry, but keep stirring to warm the spices.1 tbsp. ground cumin, 1 tbsp. chili powder, 1 tbsp. smoked paprika
- Add the chilies, tomatoes, and chicken broth. Cook until the meat is cooked through, stirring often.4 oz. canned diced green chilies, 28 oz. canned diced tomatoes, 4 cups chicken broth
- Lastly, stir in the black beans and simmer long enough to warm them through.30 oz. canned black beans
- Add salt to taste and serve as is or over rice or quinoa.salt, rice or quinoa
Notes
Nutrition
Recipe from the Gracious Pantry® archives, originally posted on 3/26/24.
