Tacos are a traditional Mexican dish, consisting of a corn or wheat tortilla folded around a filling. These can include beef, pork, chicken, vegetables, cheese and more. Tacos are then typically topped with your choice of garnish, like salsa, chili pepper, avocado, guacamole, onions, tomatoes, or any other veggies.
Tacos can be made in a variety of ways. It is not only their fillings that differentiate them but the way they are prepared. They can be served in hard shells or soft shells, or made into a breakfast meal.
In Indian cultures, they use frybread instead of tortillas. There is also a puffy taco where uncooked corn tortillas are fried in hot oil to give them a puffy texture.
When thinking of the various ways to prepare tacos, taco soup is one that comes to mind. The funny thing about taco soup is that it does not actually contain any tacos. And really, why would it? Tacos would surely become a soggy mess in soup.
Rather, this recreates the taco experience in a nice hot soup that is perfect for the winter weather- although you can eat it in the summer as well.
Taco ingredients can vary and so can the ones you choose to add to your taco soup. This recipe contains common ingredients like ground beef, beans, a great assortment of veggies and hot peppers, and some spicy seasonings. This is added to a broth that has a real kick. (To make a vegetarian version, just leave the beef out.)
Top with avocado and cheese and serve with chips to make it a great meal!
This Taco Soup recipe creates the perfect soup for anyone who likes it spicy. With all the flavor of tacos and belly filling beans, it’s a meal in itself. It is perfect for a cold night. Serve piping hot to chase away any chill!
Taco Soup
Ingredients:
2 pounds ground beef
1 medium, chopped yellow onion
2 cans whole kernel corn
2 cans diced tomatoes
1 can black beans
1 can pinto beans
1 can RoTel diced tomatoes and green chiles
1 package ranch dressing mix
1 package taco seasoning
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
1 medium avocado, peeled and sliced
1 package tortilla chips
Directions:
1. Brown the ground beef and chopped onion together and drain.
2. Add the corn, tomatoes, black beans, pinto beans, tomatoes and chiles, (including the juices from each) taco seasoning and ranch dressing . Stir well.
3. Simmer for 30 minutes. Top with the avocado slices and grated cheese, serve with tortilla chips.
Other Great Soups to Try This Winter
When it's cold outside, there's nothing better than soup. Sit down with some of these soups this winter:
- Bacon. Your kids will love this one! Bacon soup contains bacon, vegetables, and a thickening agent of some kind. This might not be the healthiest soup in the world, but it's certainly a delicious one! Use turkey bacon for a healthier version.
- Barley. This ancient soup contains barley, vegetables, and broth. It's a healthy soup that's great for the unwell. This soup has survived for this long; obviously it must be good!
- Bread. Do you have stale bread on hand? Don't throw it out! Use it in a soup! This might sound a bit odd, but we promise it's good. This is a great way to ensure you aren't wasting food unnecessarily.
- Carrot. This simple soup is usually creamy, but it can be a thinner broth if you want. If you're anticipating a busy night, add this to the menu. It's also a healthy option for those of you on a diet.
- Egg drop. You've likely had this from a Chinese-American restaurant before, or you've at least heard of it. Have you ever tried making it at home? This soup is great for those suffering from clogged sinuses or a nasty cold.
- Hot and sour. This Asian soup will satisfy your cravings for spicy and sour all at once! The combination of ingredients in this soup give it both a hot and sour taste, hence the name. This is a unique soup to try if you're sick of the classics.
- Chicken noodle. If you haven't tried making this classic soup at home yet, what are you waiting for? Chicken noodle soup is good for the soul, they say, so it should absolutely be among the dishes you know how to make. Make a large batch and freeze what you don't eat.
- Lobster bisque. Looking for a soup that's fancy, but still nice and cozy? Lobster bisque is for you! This decadent soup is originally from France, but is very popular in New England. Everyone in your family will love this when you serve it for dinner.