Turkey Taco Soup

Turkey Taco Soup is a simple, delicious wintertime meal. Easy to make and even easier to eat, this soup adds a zing of spice and lots of vegetables to liven up any weeknight meal. Finish with cheese, avocado or a dollop of sour cream to highlight this well-spiced soup. Makes 6 servings.

If you’re a big fan of taco flavors, check out Beef Taco Pasta Salad and Vegetarian Taco Cups!

turkey taco soup in white bowls with two spoons

At this time last year, I was one day from my due date and ready to pop.

Little did I know I’d have to wait nine additional days to meet our sweet baby girl.

Other than not going into labor when I thought was an acceptable time—which I know is a joke since I wasn’t in control at all—I experienced miserable heartburn, which meant I couldn’t eat spicy food during most of my pregnancy. Which was majorly unfortunate because even though I’m not a Louisianan like my husband, I enjoy a little spice when it comes to food.

Why I love this recipe:

Turkey Taco Soup is a family favorite meal, and it’s so easy to make.

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    All you need is an onion, garlic, some ground turkey, a few cans of chicken stock, peeled tomatoes, refried beans, diced green chiles, and a frozen package of corn.

    One thing I love about this taco soup recipe is that you can customize it to your tastebuds, meaning you can take the heat down a notch… or do what my husband does and add more.

    You can also swap out the ground meat in this easy taco soup recipe to transform it into Chicken Taco Soup or even a classic Beef Taco Soup.

    Another great thing about this soup recipe is that it’s great when you first cook it, and it stores well, so leftovers are excellent, too.

    Other comforting soup recipes to try: Easy Broccoli Cheddar Soup | Chicken Spaetzle Soup | Spicy Tomato Soup | Vegan Potato Leek Soup | Slow Cooker Chicken Tortellini Soup

    Need dinner inspiration? Head on over to my Dinner Recipe Index for more ideas.

    Two bowls of taco soup with spoons and cheese on wood

    What you need to make this easy taco soup recipe:

    The Speckled Palate participates in affiliate programs. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases. Please refer to my disclosure page for more information about these affiliate programs.

    In addition to these tools, you’re going to need a few ingredients to make homemade taco soup:

    • Extra virgin olive oil—or another lightly flavored oil
    • Onion—yellow or white works perfectly in this recipe. I do not recommend using a red onion.
    • Garlic cloves
    • Taco seasoning—you can make your own or use a store bought blend if that’s easier
    • Ground turkey—or swap it out with ground turkey or a leaner ground beef
    • Unsalted chicken stock
    • Canned peeled tomatoes—I like the texture these add to the soup. However, if you don’t have these, you could substitute the same amount of tomato puree. Be sure that you’re not adding a can of tomato sauce, which is pre-seasoned.
    • Refried beans—we always use the vegetarian kind, but feel free to pick up your favorite brand from the store
    • Diced green chiles—you can roast your own or use a can from the store
    • Frozen corn—you could also use canned corn if you don’t have frozen
    • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper—to add additional flavor, if necessary

    You can also add garnishes to your taco soup, too! Here are a few of our favorites:

    • Avocado
    • Sour cream
    • Cheese—cheddar or Monterey Jack are our favorites
    • Tortilla chips
    • Lime wedges
    • Cilantro
    Close up of a bowl of taco soup with cheese and avocado slices

    How to make Taco Soup at Home

    Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large Dutch oven.

    When the oil is simmering, add the onion and garlic. Saute these aromatics until they’re translucent and fragrant.

    Add the taco seasoning to the vegetables, then add the ground turkey, breaking up with a wooden spoon and stirring constantly until the turkey is browned.

    Next, pour in the chicken stock, peeled tomatoes, refried beans, diced onions and frozen corn.

    Bring the soup to a boil, then lower the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes. Season with additional salt and pepper after tasting.

    Serve warm with sour cream, cheese, avocado and tortilla chips, and enjoy.

    Two bowls of turkey taco soup in blue checked bowls on wood

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What do you eat with taco soup?

    We really like this Turkey Taco Soup recipe with tortilla chips, cheese, avocado and sour cream, but you can pair it with other things. Adding a squeeze of lime juice before you eat it is always delicious, too.

    How do you thicken taco soup?

    In this soup recipe, we don’t add a thickener and the liquid portion of the soup remains rather thin, though it’s bulked up by the addition of veggies. If you wanted to thicken this soup, I would make a slurry of masa or cornstarch and water and pour it in.

    How long is taco soup good for?

    This soup will last for 4-5 days in the refrigerator.

    Can I freeze leftover taco soup?

    If you’ve got leftover taco soup, you can definitely freeze it. Pour it into a freezer-safe container or bag, and make sure to give it some room for the soup to expand as it freezes. You can keep it frozen for 3-4 months. Defrost in the fridge, then reheat in the microwave.

    Quick tips and tricks to the best homemade taco soup

    • Have all your ingredients ready to go. This recipe cooks up quickly if everything is prepared and with you before you get to cooking it. Chop the onions and garlic. Open all the canned ingredients (and drain the chiles.)
    • Purchase pre-chopped onion and garlic if that makes your life easier. This taco soup recipe is meant to be easy as pie, and if having those on hand makes it to where you actually cook this, do that.
    • Don’t forget the toppings! Add tortilla chips, shredded cheese, avocado slices, lime wedges, cilantro, etc., and have fun with it.
    turkey taco soup in white bowls with two spoons

    Turkey Taco Soup

    Erin Parker, The Speckled Palate
    Turkey Taco Soup is a simple, delicious wintertime meal. Easy to make and even easier to eat, this soup adds a zing of spice and lots of vegetables to liven up any weeknight meal. Ground turkey is sautéed with onion and garlic, then peeled tomatoes, refried beans, diced chiles, corn and chicken stock are added before the soup simmers for 30 minutes. Finish with cheese, avocado or a dollop of sour cream to highlight this well-spiced soup.
    5 from 1 vote
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 750 kcal
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 40 minutes
    Total Time 50 minutes

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
    • 1 onion minced
    • 4 garlic cloves minced
    • 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
    • 1 lb. ground turkey
    • 32 oz. unsalted chicken stock
    • 28 oz. canned peeled tomatoes
    • 16 oz. refried beans
    • 4 oz. diced green chiles drained
    • 12 oz. corn frozen
    • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

    For Serving

    • Sour cream
    • Monterrey Jack cheese or any other favorite cheese
    • Avocado
    • Tortilla chips

    As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Instructions
     

    • In a large Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
    • When the oil is simmering, add the onion and garlic, sautéing until the garlic and onions are translucent.
    • Add the taco seasoning to the vegetables, then add the ground turkey, breaking up with a wooden spoon and stirring constantly until the turkey has browned.
    • Pour in the chicken stock, peeled tomatoes, refried beans, diced onions and corn.
    • Bring the soup to a boil, then lower the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes. Season with additional salt and pepper.
    • Serve warm with sour cream, cheese, avocado and tortilla chips, and enjoy.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1servingCalories: 750kcalCarbohydrates: 54gProtein: 48gFat: 42gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 27gCholesterol: 142mgSodium: 1095mgFiber: 15gSugar: 13g
    Keyword dinners, entrees, ground turkey, soup, taco soup
    Course Entrees
    Cuisine American
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    About the Author:

    Erin Parker is a Southern gal living in Texas with her husband and two daughters. She started The Speckled Palate to share what she was cooking as a newlywed… and over the years, it’s evolved to capture her love for hosting. Specifically, the EASIEST, lowest key entertaining because everyone deserves to see their people and connect over good food. Learn more about her

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    3 Comments

    1. I’ve really been craving soups lately. This looks so comforting and delicious. I really have been wanting to cook more with turkey. Since my blog is a baking blog, I’m trying to eat healthier behind the scenes. 😮 Thanks for sharing this!

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