Taco Soup with Fritos: How to Make the Best Recipe in 40 Minutes

Introduction

Taco Soup Frios is a refreshing twist on the classic taco soup, combining bold Mexican flavors with a unique cooling element that sets it apart. The “Frios” garnishes, like sour cream, lime, and avocado, create a perfect balance of hearty warmth and refreshing zest. This recipe delights the taste buds and suits any occasion. Whether hosting friends or craving a cozy, satisfying meal. With its innovative take on taco soup, Taco Soup Frios is sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection. Let’s explore how to create this standout dish!

Recipe Card: Full Instructions Below

Taco Soup with Fritos: How to Make the Best Recipe in 30 Minutes

Make the best Taco Soup with Fritos in 40 minutes! Bold flavors, hearty ingredients, and crunchy toppings make this easy recipe a family favorite.

Print Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course Soup

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 6 Serves

Calories 420 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion diced
• 3 garlic cloves minced
• 1 medium jalapeño seeded and diced (or 1/3 cup bell pepper for less heat)
• 1 pound lean ground beef 85% or 90%
• 1 can 14 oz diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 1 can 15 oz black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can 15 oz pinto beans
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 3 cups low-sodium beef broth
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• For the Toppings:
• 1 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
• 1 avocado diced
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese cheddar or Mexican blend
• Fresh cilantro chopped
• Crumbled Fritos chips
• Lime juice optional

Instructions

 

Brown the Base Ingredients:

• Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and ground beef. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the meat is browned.
• Stir in garlic and jalapeño. Cook for 1 more minute. Drain any excess grease.

Add Main Ingredients:

• Add the diced tomatoes, black beans, pinto beans, corn, beef broth, tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir well.

Simmer the Soup:

• Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Serve and Garnish:

• Serve the soup hot. Top each bowl with sour cream, diced avocado, shredded cheese, fresh cilantro, and a sprinkle of crumbled Fritos chips.

Notes

Helpful Tips:

1. Control the Spice: Adjust the heat level by adding fresh jalapeños, red chili flakes, or hot sauce to the soup.
2. Make it Creamier: Blend half the soup for a creamier texture before serving.
3. Prep Ahead: This soup tastes even better the next day. Make a big batch and store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Variations:

1. Vegetarian Option: Substitute ground beef for plant-based crumbles or more beans, like kidney or great northern beans.
2. Seafood Twist: Substitute beef with cooked shrimp or shredded fish for a coastal-inspired taco soup.
3. Cheesy Delight: Stir in cream cheese or Velveeta for a cheesy, indulgent variation.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Taco Soup with Fritos

To create this mouthwatering Taco Soup Frios, you’ll need:

For the Soup Base:

• One tablespoon olive oil (for browning the beef) Learn more about the health benefits of olive oil in this scientific study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI).”
• One medium yellow onion, diced (substitute with red onion if desired)
• Three garlic cloves, minced
• One medium jalapeño, seeded and diced (or substitute with 1/3 cup chopped bell pepper for a milder flavor)
• One pound of lean ground beef (85% or 90% Angus recommended)
• One can (14 oz) of diced tomatoes combined with green chilies (or two cans of diced tomatoes with 1 small can of diced green chilies)
• One can (15 oz) of black beans, rinsed and drained
• One can (15 oz) pinto beans (substitute with great northern beans if needed)
• One cup frozen corn (or fresh corn, added during the last 10 minutes of cooking)
• Three cups of low-sodium beef broth (chicken broth can be used as an alternative)
• 1 cup tomato sauce (or mix 1/3 cup tomato paste with 2/3 cup water as a substitute)
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Frios Garnish:

• 1 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 avocado, diced
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
• Tortilla chips crumbled

How to Make Taco Soup with Fritos Step-by-Step

Step 1: Prepare the Soup Base

1. Heat the Pot: Place a large pot over medium-high heat and drizzle with olive oil.
2. Cook the Beef: Toss the ground beef and diced onion into the pot. Cook it for about 5-7 minutes, Break apart the meat with a wooden spoon, cooking until the beef is browned and the onion is soft.
3. Add Aromatics: Mix the minced garlic and diced jalapeño (or bell pepper) into the pot. Cook for an extra minute, stirring frequently to bring out the garlic’s aroma.
4. Drain Excess Fat: Carefully drain excess fat from the beef mixture to reduce greasiness.
5. Incorporate Core Ingredients: Add the diced tomatoes with green chilies, beef broth, tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
6. Simmer the Soup: Place the lid on the pot and allow the mixture to reach a light simmer. Lower the heat to a gentle setting and cook for approximately 30 minutes, stirring periodically to avoid sticking and improve the flavor.

Step 2: Add Final Ingredients

1. Add the Beans and Corn: Add the black beans and stir, pinto beans, and corn. Allow the soup to cook for 5-7 minutes or until the beans and corn are heated.
2. Adjust Consistency: If the soup ends up too thick, stir in 1/2 cup water to reach your desired consistency.
3. Finish with Fresh Ingredients: Just before serving, stir in the chopped cilantro and lime juice for a fresh flavor.

Step 3: Serve and Assemble

1. Ladle and Garnish: Serve the hot soup by ladling it into bowls. Spoon some sour cream or Greek yogurt on top of each bowl, followed by a few pieces of diced avocado, a generous sprinkle of shredded cheese, and a finishing touch of chopped fresh cilantro.
2. Crunch it Up: Add crumbled tortilla chips on top for a satisfying crunch.
3. Serve Warm: Serve immediately and enjoy the bold and refreshing flavors blend.

Tips and Variations for the Best Taco Soup

Helpful Tips:

1. Control the Spice: Adjust the heat level by adding fresh jalapeños, red chili flakes, or hot sauce to the soup.
2. Make it Creamier: Blend half the soup for a creamier texture before serving.
3. Prep Ahead: This soup tastes even better the next day. Make a big batch and store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Variations:

1. Vegetarian Option: Switch out the ground beef for plant-based crumbles or more beans, like kidney or great northern beans.
2. Seafood Twist: Substitute beef with cooked shrimp or shredded fish for a coastal-inspired taco soup.
3. Cheesy Delight: Stir in cream cheese or Velveeta for a cheesy, indulgent variation.

Related Recipes

For more comforting soup recipes, check out:

• Easy Sourdough Discard Bread Recipes for Beginners – Perfect for pairing this soup.
• Sourdough Discard Crackers – A crunchy addition to your meal.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving – Approximately 1 Bowl of Soup)

• Calories: 420 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Sugars: 6 g
• Sodium: 950 mg

Frequently Asked Questions

Closing Thoughts

There you have it—a delicious, easy-to-make Taco Soup Frios recipe combining bold flavors and refreshing ingredients. Whether feeding a crowd or enjoying a cozy dinner at home, this dish will impress. Try it out, and don’t forget to share your experience in the comments below. If you love this recipe, share it with your friends and family to spread the joy of cooking!