Taco Soup

• INGREDIENTS:
  • 1, 15 oz can black beans
  • 1, 15 oz can corn
  • 1, 16 oz can red kidney beans
  • 1, 16 oz can garbanzo beans
  • 2, 10 oz cans of diced tomatoes with green chilis
  • 1, 14.5 oz can of stewed tomatoes
  • 1 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes (I get fire roasted if I can find them)
  • 1 package of taco seasoning
  • 1 package of ranch dressing seasoning
  • 2 cups of water
  • OPTIONAL ADDITIONS: 1 package of ranch dressing seasoning, ground turkey or any other types of meat, any veggies you want to add (I have added mushrooms, zucchini, peppers, onions)
  • OPTIONAL TOPPINGS: Plain greek yogurt (sour cream), cilantro, chips, avocado, cheese, chips, in this one I added a cheesy tortilla for dipping
• DIRECTIONS:
  1. Drain all of the types of beans and corn- rinse them to decrease the sodium
  2. In a large pot, add the beans, corn, cans of tomatoes, diced tomatoes with green chilis, taco and ranch seasoning, water – if you are adding extra veggies or meat add to bowl as well
  3. If you are adding veggies/meat- be sure to cook them first and add it to the pot
  4. Bring pot to a boil, then reduce temperature and cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally- the longer you cook the more flavorful it gets!
  5. If you are using an Instant Pot- I cooked for 30 minutes on the Soup Settings; if you are using a Crockpot- I typically cook for 2 hours on high and then 4 hours on low heat.
• TIPS: If you like it spicy, I always use spicy taco seasoning and spicy diced tomatoes with green chilis. Also, if you have steam-able veggies, steam those in the microwave then add to the pot for extra fiber and nutrients!
• Pros: This is SO good. Seriously, it has been a family favorite for my entire life. I have adapted it to a bit healthier, and cut down on the sodium, but taco soup is tough to beat for me. I typically make this vegetarian, but ground chicken and turkey are lean meat additions that are delicious. Taco soup has tons of fiber, plant-based protein and makes enough for meal prep for the entire week!
• Cons: You need a large pot. You can make this pretty unhealthy if you want. Loading up with sour cream, cheese and chips is delicious, but recognize that you are adding less nutrient-packed additions. Also, this soup can be high in sodium if you are not conscientious with buying low-sodium products and rinsing your canned goods.

Adapted from my mother- thanks mom 🙂