Easy Crock Pot Taco Soup with Ranch Dressing

Crock Pot taco soup is hearty, warm, and so satisfying. It’s an easy and flavorful dish made with ground beef or chicken, beans, corn, tomatoes, taco-inspired spices and Ranch dressing. Make it your own by adding more beans, or make it a thicker taco chili. Great flavors combine for a hearty dinner or cozy lunch.

An Easy to Make Crockpot Taco Soup with Ranch Dressing

This taco soup is the easiest soup to make, no cooking skills or time involved yet you still get so much flavor. The only cooking you need to do is to brown the ground beef or ground chicken in a skillet. Then, just dump the rest of the ingredients into the Crock Pot, give it a stir, and let it simmer all day. Your kitchen will smell amazing and dinner is ready when you walk in the door.

All you need are some buttermilk biscuits or skillet cornbread for a dinner, no one will want to pass up.

It’s customizable, too – you can add more or less liquid depending on your preference for a brothier soup or a more chili-like consistency. The flavors come together as everything cooks in the slow cooker for several hours, and it hardly takes any effort. Top off your bowl with a spoonful of pimento cheese or a sprinkle (or handful!) of shredded cheese for the ultimate comfort dinner. 

And you can use whatever ingredients you have on hand – you can use ground chicken instead of beef, for example. You can add more beans or leave them out completely. Add more peppers and corn if you want it to be more vegetable-forward, throw in some green chilies or jalapeno peppers for some more heat.

For a Southern twist, I like a dollop of pimento cheese in my bowl of soup. If you don’t have pimento cheese on hand, a spoonful of sour cream, plenty of shredded cheese, and Fritos corn chips or tortilla chips for crunch are fabulous add ins.

Speaking of corn chips, have you tried Whole Foods 365 brand of corn chips, they have lots of crunch and I actually like them better than Fritos. Got picky eaters, corn chips might be just the thing to get them to try this flavorful soup.

Can I make this hearty soup recipe without a slow cooker?

If you don’t have a slow cooker or you want to use yours to make pimento cheese dip or to keep your dinner rolls warm, you can make this into a stove top soup. I recommend browning the beef in a heavy-bottom pot with a lid like a Dutch oven. Brown the meat right in the Dutch oven and add the rest of the soup ingredients to the pot. Simmer the soup over low heat for 1 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Why You’ll Make Crockpot Taco Soup on Repeat

Quick and easy: It takes minimal effort to make this recipe – just brown the beef, mix in the ingredients, and let the crockpot work its magic.

Hearty and flavorful: Combining ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and savory spices creates a hearty and satisfying dish. 

Customizable: Use beef, chicken, or no meat at all. You can use any beans or vegetables you prefer or happen to have on hand. Want it spicier? Keep the cayenne. Prefer it milder? Just leave it out – it’ll still be your new favorite soup.

Alternative to taco night: tired of tortillas but love tacos, this is for you.

Why put ranch seasoning in beef taco soup?

Ranch seasoning seems like an odd ingredient at first glance, but it really makes this soup extra special. It’s tangy, adds just a hint of creaminess, and makes everything better. The slow cooker taco soup doesn’t taste like ranch dressing at all, but it does add flavor and depth to the soup. 

Taco Soup Recipe Ingredients

• Ground beef: Ground beef is a savory and hearty base for the soup. You can also use ground turkey or chicken if you prefer.

• Tomatoes: Using a combination of whole canned tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce means tons of tomato flavor and different textures. You could also use fire-roasted tomatoes.

• Green pepper and onion: Aromatic vegetables make the soup fragrant and flavorful. You can use any color of bell pepper and any type of onion you have on hand. 

• Beans: The combination of pinto and kidney beans is excellent in this dish, but you can use any type of beans you like. 

• Corn: Adds flavor and texture to the soup. Use canned corn along with the liquid. If using fresh or frozen corn, add a cup of chicken broth.

• Dry Ranch Salad Dressing: The secret ingredient that infuses the soup with a flavor. 

• Spices: Chili powder, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, cumin, salt, pepper 

How To Make Taco Soup with Ranch

Step 1: Brown the beef. 

In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and drain the grease. Chop the onions and peppers.

Step 2: Build the soup. 

Add beef to a slow cooker. Then add the tomato sauce, corn, beans, diced tomatoes, spices, onion, pepper and a packet of Ranch seasoning.  Break up the whole tomatoes with your hands or a wooden spoon. Give the soup a stir, and then cover it with the lid. 

Step 3: Cook the soup. 

 Cook on high for 6 hours on low or high for 3 hours. Serve with cheese, sour cream, and corn chips. 

How can I make this a Chicken Taco Soup?

If beef is not your thing, try using ground chicken. You can also add raw chicken breasts along with all of the other ingredients. It will change the flavor but still be delicious. Just remove the chicken and shred it and add it back to the soup.

Cooking Tips for Making This Easy Taco Soup Recipe

• If you prefer a thicker chili consistency, drain the corn before adding it to the crock pot.

• For a milder version, skip the cayenne pepper or just use less of it. You can adjust the spice to your preferred level. 

• Don’t skimp on the toppings! Cheddar Cheese, pimento cheese, sour cream, and corn chips elevate the flavor and add wonderful texture to each bite. Avocado and a squeeze of lime would be great additions, too. 

How do I know when the soup is finished cooking?

In the Crock Pot, the soup needs to cook for about 6 hours on low or 3 hours on high. This long cook time helps the flavors meld together, and the vegetables and beans to soften and absorb the seasoning. If you’re in a hurry, you can cook the soup on high heat in the slow cooker. The soup is ready once the vegetables are softened, and the soup tastes good to you.  

Taco Soup FAQs

What are some other favorite taco toppings I can add to this soup?

Get creative with toppings! Try sliced green onions, chopped fresh cilantro, diced raw tomatoes, sliced black olives or jalapeno peppers.

Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned ones?

If you want, you can use fresh tomatoes– just chop them before adding them to the soup.

Can I use different types of beans?

Different types of beans will contribute different textures and flavors to the soup. You could add black beans which will have a similar cook time.

Can I make it spicy without cayenne?

You can add more chili pepper instead, or try a diced jalapeno or a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce. 

Can I make it without beans?

Yes, you can omit the beans if you prefer, though they add a wonderful texture and flavor.

More Easy Slow Cooker Recipes

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