(This article first appeared in the October print edition of the Hendersonian.)
Fall is in the air. If you want something hearty, quick and healthy, this is a deliciously perfect fit.
This quick and easy one-pot soup is one of my “fall favorite” recipes—similar to chili and like a taco in a bowl.
I started making this soup years ago. The original recipe used packets of seasonings that were high in sodium. Individual seasoning staples like chili powder, cumin, onion powder and paprika provide the base for the flavor while reducing the sodium content.
The recipe ingredients can be modified easily to make it vegetarian by simply subbing additional beans in place of meat and using vegetable broth in place of beef broth.
Welcome the season with a warm bowl of Taco Soup.
Taco Soup
Ingredients:
1 pound lean ground beef or ground turkey*
4 cloves garlic , minced or 1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 – 15 ounce cans petite diced tomatoes
4 ounce can diced green chiles
2 – 15 ounce can tri-bean (kidney, black, & pinto beans) blend, rinsed and drained
1 – 15 ounce can hominy, rinsed and drained
2 cups low-sodium beef broth*
*To make a vegetarian version, substitute another can of beans for ground meat & vegetable broth for beef broth
Topping Suggestions:
Sour cream
Shredded Colby Jack cheese
Green onions, chopped
Avocado, chopped
Fresh cilantro
Salsa verde
Instructions:
Heat a large soup pot over medium heat. Brown the meat and drain any fat, if needed. Add remaining ingredients and stir to combine.
Bring to a low boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, before serving. Garnish with desired toppings.
10 – 12 servings
**
Merritt Bates-Thomas is a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) who has been sharing recipes with a healthier twist on WBKR FM 92.5’s What’s Cooking since 2017. In May 2023, she joined ABC 25 Local Lifestyles to share recipes and tips for flavorful cooking. She also appears on CW7’s Daybreak Extra’s Joe’s Kitchen. You can follow her on Instagram @thekitchentransition
