Taco Soup

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 1/2 lb lean ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp taco seasoning
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (10 oz) tomatoes with green chiles
• 3 cups low-sodium beef broth
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz) pinto beans, rinsed
• 1 cup corn kernels
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• Shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado, and tortilla chips, for serving

Instructions

Follow each step in order. The directions below are written so a beginner can understand what to do, what to look for, and when to move on to the next step.

1. Step 1.Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat, add the ground beef and onion, and cook for 7 to 8 minutes while breaking the meat into small crumbles.
2. Step 2.Drain excess grease carefully if necessary, then add the garlic and taco seasoning and stir for 30 seconds until the spices become fragrant.
3. Step 3.Pour in both cans of tomatoes and the beef broth, scraping the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to release all browned seasoning and meat bits.
4. Step 4.Add the black beans, pinto beans, corn, and salt, stir thoroughly, and bring the soup to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
5. Step 5.Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the broth thickens slightly and the flavors blend.
6. Step 6.Check that the beef is fully cooked and the beans are hot, then taste the broth before adding more salt because taco seasoning and canned tomatoes vary.
7. Step 7.Let the soup rest off the heat for 5 minutes so the broth settles and thickens enough to hold the meat, beans, and corn in each spoonful.
8. Step 8.Serve hot and let each person add cheese, sour cream, avocado, and crushed tortilla chips so the toppings stay fresh and crisp.