Cozy Healthy Creamy Taco Soup
Healthy creamy taco soup packed with bold spices, hearty texture, and comforting flavor. A lighter, cozy twist on a classic favorite.
Ingredients
- Protein: 1 pound ground turkey or chicken (or swap with 1 extra can of beans for a vegetarian version)
- Aromatics: 1 medium onion, 3 cloves garlic
- Spices: Chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, black pepper
- Tomatoes: 1 can (14.5 oz) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- Beans: 1 can black beans, 1 can pinto or kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
- Corn: 1 cup frozen or canned corn (drained if canned)
- Broth: 4 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- Creamy element: 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (or light sour cream)
- Add-ins: 1 can (4 oz) diced green chiles (mild or hot)
- Optional thickness: 1/2 cup milk or unsweetened cashew milk; or reserve some beans for blending
- Oil: 1–2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
- Fresh finishes: Lime, cilantro
- Toppings (optional but encouraged): Diced avocado, shredded cheese, sliced jalapeño, crushed tortilla chips, chopped green onions
Instructions
- Sauté the base: Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion with a pinch of salt and cook 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Brown the protein: Add ground turkey or chicken, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until no longer pink, about 5–6 minutes. Sprinkle in 1–2 teaspoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon oregano, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and a few grinds of pepper. Stir to coat and toast the spices for 1 minute.
- Build the body: Add diced tomatoes, green chiles, beans, and corn. Pour in the broth and bring to a gentle boil.
- Simmer: Reduce heat to low and simmer 12–15 minutes so the flavors mingle. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and chili powder to your liking.
- Make it creamy the healthier way: In a small bowl, whisk Greek yogurt with 1/2 cup warm soup broth to temper it. Stir the mixture back into the pot off the heat. For extra silkiness, add a splash of milk or blend 1 cup of the soup (beans and all) and stir it back in.
- Finish bright: Stir in a squeeze of lime and a handful of chopped cilantro. Ladle into bowls and add your favorite toppings.
