Taco Soup
Ground beef, beans, corn, and canned tomatoes simmered with taco spices. One of the most-saved recipes on Pinterest and Reddit for years, and it's obvious why.
Ingredients
- 350 g lean ground beef $7.00
- 1 can (540 mL) red kidney beans, drained $1.50
- 1 can (341 mL) corn kernels, drained (or 250 g frozen) $1.25
- 1 can (796 mL) diced tomatoes $2.00
- 1 medium onion, diced $1.23
- 3 cloves garlic, minced $0.24
- 2 tsp chili powder $0.10
- 1 tsp ground cumin $0.05
- 0.5 tsp smoked paprika $0.03
- 0.5 tsp garlic powder $0.02
- 500 mL chicken or beef broth $0.83
- to taste salt, pepper, and hot sauce $0.05
- Recipe total$14.30
Instructions
- Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until browned — about 8 minutes. Drain excess fat.
- Add the onion. Cook 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Add garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, and garlic powder. Cook 1 minute, stirring.
- Add the diced tomatoes, beans, corn, and broth. Stir to combine.
- Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered 15 minutes.
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve with optional toppings: sour cream, shredded cheddar, crushed tortilla chips, green onions.
Nutrition per Serving
Estimated values per serving.
460
Calories
30g
Protein
45g
Carbs
16g
Fat
9g
Fiber
640mg
Sodium
~25% DV Iron~8% DV Calcium~20% DV Vitamin C
Gluten-Free
This recipe is naturally gluten-free.
All ingredients are naturally gluten-free. Check the broth label — some broths contain gluten. Use a certified GF broth or substitute water with an extra pinch of salt.
Budget Notes
- Lean ground beef at $20/kg is expensive. Regular ground beef at $18/kg works fine — just drain more fat after browning. Saves about $0.70 total.
- 350 g of beef feeds four people here because the beans carry the bulk. Do not skip the beans.
- This freezes very well. Make a double batch and freeze in portions for the week.
- Toppings (sour cream, cheese, chips) are not included in the cost. The soup is complete without them.