Taco Soup Recipe (Instant Pot or Slow Cooker!) - Oh Sweet Basil (2024)

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This Instant Pot Taco Soup recipe is an easy weeknight dinner, that’s full of all your favorite Mexican flavors. Serve with cheese, sour cream and avocado!

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Taco Soup Recipe (Instant Pot or Slow Cooker!) - Oh Sweet Basil (1)

The Best Taco Soup Recipe

Hi everyone! I’m Jennifer from Deliciously Sprinkled and I’m SOOO excited to share this delicious Instant Pot Taco Soup recipe with all of you today!

With the holiday’s in full swing, it seems like we are just so busy that I don’t have time to make dinner and I’m really sick of eating out all the time. So I decided I was going to start using my Instant Pot that I got for my birthday to hopefully help me make dinner quicker and easier.

Well you guys, I seriously LOVE my Instant Pot. After I got over the first initial intimidation of it, I learned that it’s really so simple to use and it’s so nice that I can have dinner ready in less than 30 minutes.

So if you’re like me and just got an Instant Pot and don’t know what to make in it, this easy taco soup is the perfect recipe to try first. My family loves this soup, my husband said he could eat this everyday!

Taco Soup Recipe (Instant Pot or Slow Cooker!) - Oh Sweet Basil (2)

Taco Soup Ingredients

This Instant Pot taco soup uses surprisingly few ingredients to achieve its rich flavor. For this easy soup recipe, you’ll need olive oil, ground beef, onion, canned corn, pinto beans, Rotel (a mixture of diced tomatoes and green chilies), diced tomatoes, ranch seasoning mix, taco seasoning, and beef broth.

Note that you’ll be using dry ranch seasoning and NOT ranch dressing. Ranch seasoning comes in small packets, and you can usually find them in the spice aisle.

How to Make Taco Soup in an Instant Pot

One of my favorite things about the Instant Pot is that you can saute meat and veggies right in the pot, so there’s no need to dirty a bunch of different pots and pans. You’ll first need to saute the ground beef and onions together until browned.

After you’ve browned the meat, just dump the corn, beans, rotel, diced tomatoes, ranch seasoning mix, taco seasoning, and beef broth into the pot. Stir and then set the Instant Pot to the soup setting for 20 minutes.

Once the soup is done, serve with your favorite toppings.

Our Favorite Taco Soup Toppings

You can top your taco soup with anything you’d put on a regular taco! Some of our favorite taco soup toppings include:

  • Shredded cheese
  • Sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
  • Fritos
  • Pickled jalapeños
  • Avocado
  • Diced tomato
  • Hot sauce
  • Chopped onion
  • …and more!

Taco Soup Recipe (Instant Pot or Slow Cooker!) - Oh Sweet Basil (3)

What to Serve with Taco Soup

This Instant Pot taco soup is incredibly hearty as is, but it’s nice to serve something alongside it. A few of our favorite sides to serve with this taco soup are:

  • Sweet Cornbread
  • Grilled Corn, Avocado, and Tomato Salad
  • Frito Salad
  • Mexican Street Corn (Elote)
  • Mexican Fried Rice

Can I Make Taco Soup in a Slow Cooker?

Absolutely! To make this easy taco soup in a slow cooker, you’ll need to brown the meat and onions in a skillet before transferring the mixture to a slow cooker. Dump in the rest of the ingredients, then let the taco soup cook on low for 5 to 6 hours.

Can I Make Taco Soup with Ground Turkey?

Yes, both ground turkey and ground chicken would work well in this taco soup recipe. You’d still want to use beef broth though, since it adds so much flavor to the soup!

Can I Freeze Taco Soup?

Definitely. Instant Pot taco soup freezes incredibly well. You’ll first need to let it cool to room temperature, and then you can store it in freezer-safe bags or jars. When you’re ready to enjoy the frozen soup, simply set it in the fridge to thaw overnight.

Taco Soup Recipe (Instant Pot or Slow Cooker!) - Oh Sweet Basil (4)

Tips for Making Instant Pot Taco Soup

When making taco soup in the Instant Pot, make sure to factor in the amount of time your machine needs to build up and release the pressure. We always forgot to do that when we first started cooking with an Instant Pot, so dinner was on the table late a few times!

This is a fairly flexible recipe, so you’re welcome to swap out some of the ingredients based on what you have on hand. You can use different kinds of beans, omit the corn, and so on to suit your preferences.

If you prefer your homemade taco soup on the spicy side, add in a dash of hot sauce (either to the whole pot of soup, or just into your bowl). A little goes a long way, so be careful!

Read more: Have you heard about our Instant Pot Cheat Sheet? It has all the details for cooking the basics in your Instant Pot.

You can find all of our beef recipes here.

Instant Pot Taco Soup

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4.11 from 56 votes

Servings: 4 -6

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 20 minutes mins

Additional Time: 20 minutes mins

Total Time: 50 minutes mins

Description

The BEST recipe for Instant Pot Taco Soup, this soup is full of all your favorite Mexican flavors and makes the perfect weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 2 pounds Ground Beef
  • 1 Medium Onion, chopped
  • 1 can Corn, 15.25 oz.
  • 1 can Pinto Beans, 16 oz., drained and rinsed
  • 1 can Rotel Diced Tomatoes and Green Chilies, 10 oz.
  • 2 cans Diced Tomatoes, 14.5 oz.
  • 1 packet Dry Ranch Seasoning Mix
  • 2 packets Taco Seasoning
  • 2 1/2 cups Beef Broth

Instructions

FOR THE INSTANT POT:

  • Set the instant pot to "Saute" and add olive oil.

  • Once hot, add the ground beef and onions, cook until meat is browned.

  • Turn off instant pot and drain meat.

  • Put the meat back into the instant pot.

  • Add corn, beans, rotel, diced tomatoes, ranch seasoning and taco seasoning.

  • Add beef broth and stir.

  • Place the lid on and set the valve to "Sealed".

  • Press the "Soup" button and set timer for 20 minutes.

  • Once the soup is done, turn valve to "Quick Release".

  • Serve soup with shredded cheese, avocado, sour cream and Fritos.

FOR THE SLOW COOKER:

  • Heat a pan to medium heat and add olive oil. Once hot, add the meat and the onions. Cook until meat is browned. Drain.

  • Add meat and onions to the slow cooker. Add corn, beans, rotel, diced tomatoes, ranch seasoning and taco seasoning. Add beef broth and stir.

  • Cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 4 hours.

  • Serve soup with shredded cheese, avocado, sour cream and Fritos.

Equipment

Notes

Left overs can be stored in the refrigerator, or even frozen.

Nutrition

Serving: 1BowlCalories: 831kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 47gFat: 55gSaturated Fat: 19gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 26gTrans Fat: 3gCholesterol: 161mgSodium: 1582mgPotassium: 1538mgFiber: 6gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 678IUVitamin C: 37mgCalcium: 155mgIron: 8mg

Author: Sweet Basil

Course: 100 + BEST Easy Beef Recipes for Dinner

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FAQs

How long does it take to cook in Instant Pot vs slow cooker? ›

Cooking meat in the slow cooker usually takes 6 to 8 hours, but it will only take about 30 minutes in the Instant Pot.

What is the equivalent of 4 hours in the slow cooker in the Instant Pot? ›

Generally, if your slow cooker meat, soup, or stew recipe calls for 8 hours on the low setting or about 4 hours on the high setting, it should be fully cooked in about 25 to 30 minutes in the Instant Pot. For chicken or turkey, use the 15-minute poultry button. While volume doesn't matter, density does.

What can I use to thicken taco soup? ›

Turn To Refried Beans To Thicken And Boost The Flavor Of Your Taco Soup. If you're looking to upgrade your taco soup into a rich, creamy meal, you could turn to tried-and-true thickeners like cream cheese, heavy cream, flour, or corn starch.

What is healthier, a slow cooker or an Instant Pot? ›

When it comes to preserving nutrients, the Instant Pot's high-pressure cooking generally wins the battle. If you're looking for quick, healthy meals with minimal nutrient loss, the Instant Pot is your go-to. For rich, complex flavors and fall-off-the-bone tenderness, the slow cooker takes the crown.

Which is cheaper to run Instant Pot or slow cooker? ›

When it comes to the best energy-saving kitchen appliances, modern pressure cookers are clear winners. Not only is Instant Pot power consumption significantly less than other cooking appliances, but it's also a quick way to cook delicious meals your family will love.

Why is my taco soup so watery? ›

There are several reasons why taco soup may turn out thin and watery. One common reason is using too much broth or liquid in the soup. Additionally, not simmering the soup for long enough can lead to a thin consistency.

Is corn starch or flour better for thickening soup? ›

It's important to note that cornstarch has twice the thickening power of flour. If you need to substitute cornstarch to thicken liquid in a recipe that calls for ¼ cup (four tablespoons) flour, you only need two tablespoons cornstarch.

Do you leave the vent open on an Instant Pot when slow cooking? ›

Another tip, taken from an Instant Pot Facebook group, is to open the valve all the way on your Instant Pot lid when slow cooking. This allows some moisture and steam to release and keeps the Instant Pot from overcooking your slow cooker recipes.

Do I seal my Instant Pot when slow cooking? ›

Do you need to seal the valve? No, you shouldn't seal the lid if you're using the Instant Pot slow cooker function, as a tight seal will prevent the steam from escaping while cooking. You should use a tempered glass lid or cover the lid in tinfoil instead.

Can I leave my Instant Pot on slow cook unattended? ›

You can leave your Instant Pot unattended when using it to slow-cook food such as chicken bone broth.

What is the advantage of Instant Pot over slow cooker? ›

The instant pot can make dinner faster, but I only use it when I don't have time to use another method. Slow cookers can be had for much cheaper so there is that. However, instant pots can also slow cook and are all around more versatile.

Can an Instant Pot replace a slow cooker? ›

Touted as the do-it-all appliance for good reason, an Instant Pot is a multi-function pressure cooker that easily doubles as a slow cooker. The difference between pressure cooking and slow cooking is substantial, so we love that one appliance can do both, along with a slew of other cooking methods.

Is roast better in crockpot or Instant Pot? ›

Some people prefer a roast that has more substance, so if you do, the Instant Pot is the winner. I have tried cooking a roast for up to 120 minutes in the Instant Pot and the texture still didn't match a slow cooker, but every 10 minutes of added pressure cooking will definitely make the meat more tender.

How much faster does an Instant Pot cook? ›

Pressure cookers save you time by cooking foods TWO to TEN times faster than other cooking methods. They are the fastest way to cook delicious meals: beef roasts, chicken, rice, dry beans, you name it.

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