How to make Homemade Turkey Taco Soup

Ground Turkey Taco Soup is the ultimate cozy dinner. It’s warm, comforting and hearty, perfect for fall and winter — or any time you crave the flavor of tacos without the tortillas. 

2019 Update: This recipe was originally shared in February 2016. The recipe and post include new photos, as well as a LOT more tips and tricks. I hope you love this comforting soup!

Ground Turkey Taco Soup Recipe 

In the winter, we need comfort! Soup is more often than not the answer to the need for coziness in wintertime. We can all agree on that, right? 

This Turkey Taco Soup is wonderfully comforting — and so easy to put together. It’s hearty without weighing you down, and the perfect warm hug when you wish for the flavors of warmer days. 

You can also use a variety of different toppings, depending on what you like!

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In fact, this would be great for a soup party or a party where you don’t want to serve chili. (No offense, chili, but this is awesome and more unique!) Everyone can add their own toppings and make their bowl exactly how they like it. 

It’s truly a soup everyone can love. And you’ll find that because it’s made with turkey, it’s a lovely, lighter version of regular taco soup, which is usually a beef-based soup. 

Why I love this recipe:

This Turkey Taco Soup is a delicious favorite in my family and you’re going to fall in love with it. A big pot of soup is one of my favorite things for the wintertime and soup season, and this one packs in those comforting flavors… but has a lighter feel and flavor.

I love it because…

• It’s made with ground turkey, so it’s leaner than a traditional taco soup with beef.
• Everyone in the family can customize their bowl exactly how they prefer it. 
• It’s got all the flavor of tacos… but in soup form. 

Please note that we are not making this in the pressure cooker and that this was intended to be an easy weeknight meal made on the stovetop. Have fun with it!

More comforting soup recipes to try: Rotisserie Chicken Soup | Cream of Tomato Soup | Chicken Spaetzle Soup

What you need to make this recipe:

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Here are the simple ingredients that you need to grab at the grocery store:

• Extra virgin olive oil — you can also use any neutral-tasting oil such as avocado oil or vegetable oil. 
• Yellow onion — any onion you have will be fine! 
• Garlic cloves — minced garlic from a jar works too, but fresh is best if you can! 
• Taco seasoning — I love to make homemade taco seasoning, but storebought totally works, too. This provides that taco flavor we all know and love and involves spices like chili powder, ground cumin, onion powder, paprika and more.
• Ground turkey — 93/7 lean ground turkey is my go-to for this recipe. 
• Unsalted chicken stock or chicken broth — if you can, choose salt-free or low sodium stock so you can salt the soup to taste. 
• Canned peeled tomatoes — diced tomatoes from a can will work, too. 
• Refried beans — you can swap in black beans or pinto beans instead of the refried beans, but I like refried because it makes the soup nice and thick. In fact, we’ve started using refried black beans for this recipe, and it is excellent.
• Diced green chiles — you can skip these if you like, but if you purchase mild chiles, they won’t be very spicy at all while adding a depth of flavor.
• Frozen corn — fresh or canned corn can work, too. If you use frozen, there’s no need to thaw it!
• Kosher salt — I use a medium grain sea salt in all my recipes. A similarly sized sea salt will also work.
• Freshly ground black pepper — it’s simply the best! You won’t go back if you switch to grinding your own pepper. 

Customizations and substitutions

Change the meat: Feel free to swap in ground beef or ground pork if you like!

Use different kinds of beans. Sub in a can of black beans or pinto beans instead of the refried beans.

Vegetarian/vegan: Without the turkey and chicken stock, the ingredients are naturally vegetarian and vegan.  

How to make Turkey Taco Soup

Making this taco soup with ground turkey is super simple! 

First, heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.

When the oil is warm, add the onion and garlic and cook until they are translucent, about 2-3 minutes.

Add the taco seasoning to the onion mixture. Add the ground turkey, too.

Break the meat up with a wooden spoon and stir constantly until the turkey has browned.

Pour in the rest of the ingredients. (This includes the chicken stock, peeled tomatoes, refried beans, diced green chiles and corn.)

Bring the soup to a boil, then lower the heat to low.

Simmer for 30 minutes with the lid on. Season with additional salt and pepper after tasting.

Add to bowls and throw on all your favorite toppings! 

Toppings

I recommend using your favorite taco toppings for this recipe, like…

• Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
• Lime wedges (for a squeeze of lime juice!)
• Monterrey Jack cheese
• Avocado or guacamole
• Tortilla chips (we like to crush them!) or tortilla strips
• Chopped fresh cilantro (if you don’t have the soap gene like me!) or sliced green onions

How to store & freeze

To store leftovers, let the soup cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Keep it in the refrigerator for up to four days. When it’s ready to eat, simply reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through.

For freezing, allow the soup to cool completely, then portion it into a few freezer-safe containers or resealable bags, leaving some space for expansion. Label with the date and freeze for up to three months. This makes it easy to thaw only what you need instead of being forced to defrost the entire batch.

To reheat, thaw frozen soup overnight in the refrigerator or run the container under warm water to loosen it. Warm it on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. Alternatively, microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until hot.

Erin’s Easy Entertaining Tips

This delicious soup is an excellent choice to serve to friends, along with your whole family, because it is a simple recipe that is jam-packed full of flavors.

I also really like that everyone can customize their experience with optional toppings.

• Make a taco soup bar! Add all the toppings to serving bowls and let guests help themselves to a bowl of soup.
• You can prepare the soup a day ahead of time and reheat it on the stove. 
• Serve it with a Mexican-inspired beverage, like peach margaritas, for a spin on taco night. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick tips and tricks to making the best Turkey Taco Soup

• Before adding the taco seasoning and turkey, let the onions and garlic cook until they are fully softened and fragrant. This enhances the flavor of the soup.
• Let the soup cool completely before transferring it to the fridge or freezer. This prevents condensation buildup, which can lead to excess moisture and affect the soup’s texture.
• Add toppings like avocado, shredded cheese, and sour cream just before serving. This keeps their textures and flavors fresh, enhancing the overall dish.

More Mexican and Tex-Mex recipes to try:

Everyone in our house loves these Skirt Steak Tacos topped with Charred Corn Salsa and Avocado Cream Sauce. This Chipotle Lime Spicy Beer Can Chicken is also a fabulous meal for the whole fam.

If you want a sipper, check out my Avocado Margarita!

And you can’t go wrong with starting a meal with some Black Bean Dip or Homemade Loaded Queso.

Here’s how you can make this soup at home…