This Instant Pot taco soup recipe is healthy, hearty, and delicious. Add your favorite toppings and it makes a fantastic meal!
Well… it’s finally happened! I bought an Instant Pot. I asked my Instagram audience in a super-scientific poll if they would be interested in some Instant Pot recipes, and I got a resounding “yes”. I’ve been on the fence for a while re: getting an Instant Pot. I’m often late to trends (and I don’t like my counter cluttered with appliances I don’t use), but I think that the IP will be around for a while.
Pressure cookers have always been around, but their popularity has been surging more and more now that the Instant Pot is here. I decided on an Instant Pot vs. a different kind of pressure cooker for a couple of reasons. 1) From my research it seemed to be very user-friendly. 2) It seemed to be the most popular one out there, so writing recipe instructions based on that particular brand will likely cast the widest net. I bought the third generation Instant Pot Lux model (it’s also a slow cooker), and I am very happy with it so far!
Don’t worry (especially if you’re not a pressure cooker fan), this blog isn’t going to turn into just Instant Pot recipes. People have asked me for them, though! So I am trying.
Why make soup in the Instant Pot?
I think Instant Pots are great for multi-tasking. Not just for things like dinner parties where your stove is monopolized, but for busy life in general. Before I got my Instant Pot, I didn’t realize it took time to get them to pressure or that you had to do a pressure release. So, the actual cooking time on many pressure cooker recipes is lightning-fast, but the pre-and post-cooking adds on time to the total recipe. BUT… this stuff is pretty hands-off. You can just set it and it’ll come up to pressure and release pressure by itself. You’re free to do other stuff while it’s cooking.
For those folks who don’t like standing by the stove, the Instant Pot is pretty handy. It’s sort of like a fast slow cooker if that makes any sense.
This pressure cooker taco soup recipe can definitely be made on the stove top, but I wanted to give it a go in the Instant Pot and it turned out nicely. And pressure cooking is great at preserving nutrients, so that’s a bonus too.
How to make taco soup
It’s easy! Brown your beef and some onions, add some broth, garlic, tomatoes, beans, corn and the taco spices. Let it cook and then top it with your favorite taco toppings.
How to top taco soup
You can skip the toppings, go crazy with them, or do something in the middle. I would suggest:
- Tortilla chips (leave off if you want this to be low-carb!)
- Mexican shredded cheese blend (mine had chedder, queso quesadilla, and Monterey Jack)
- Chopped cilantro
- Chopped avocado
- Lime wedges
- Greek yogurt or sour cream
I hope you love this Instant Pot beef taco soup recipe!
Instant Pot Taco Soup
Prep
Cook
Inactive
Total
Yield 6
This Instant Pot taco soup recipe is healthy, hearty, and delicious. Add your favorite toppings and it makes a fantastic meal!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 1-1.5 pounds extra lean ground beef
- 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chilies
- 1 (12 fluid ounce) can corn, drained
- 1 (19 fluid ounce) can black beans, drained & rinsed
- 1 (19 fluid ounce) can red kidney beans, drained & rinsed
- 1 (14 fluid ounce) can diced tomatoes (including juices)
- 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Toppings (to taste):
- Tortilla chips
- Mexican shredded cheese blend
- Cilantro, chopped
- Lime wedges
- Greek yogurt or sour cream
- Avocado, chopped
Instructions
- Add the oil, beef, and onions to your Instant Pot. Sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Break up the meat with your spoon.
- Add the rest of the ingredients (except for the salt & pepper) to your pressure cooker. Put the lid on and make sure it's set to "sealing". Set your Instant Pot to cook on high pressure for 10 minutes (it'll take about 10-15 minutes for it to get up to pressure since there's a lot of stuff in the pot).
- Once the pressure cooking has finished, let the pressure release naturally for at least 10-15 minutes and then do a quick release (use caution) if you're in a rush.
- Meanwhile, prep toppings.
- Season with salt & pepper as needed. Serve with toppings as desired.
Notes
"Inactive time" in this recipe indicates time needed for the Instant Pot to get up to pressure and to release pressure once cooking has finished.
I use this 6-quart Instant Pot.
Calorie information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee.
Alternate cooking method suggestions: If making this on the stove, I'd follow the same steps (but in a normal pot), and simmer the soup over medium-low heat for 25-30 minutes or so. For a slow cooker, you can choose to brown the meat first if desired, but you don't have to (but make sure you stir/break it up well - don't leave it as a block of meat). Add everything to the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or 3-4 hours on high.
Courses Soup
Cuisine American
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1/6 of soup (not including toppings)
Amount Per Serving | ||
|---|---|---|
Calories 331 | ||
% Daily Value |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
You may also like my turkey chili recipe.
Debs says
I’ve still on jumped on the Instant Pot bandwagon yet. But this recipe is selling me on it! Love it!
Natasha says
Thank you! Yeah, I was on the fence, but people seem to love the recipes so I went for it!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy says
Taco soup is my jam!
Natasha says
Thanks, Jennifer!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
My husband and I would be fighting over the last spoonful! This looks yummo Natasha!
Natasha says
Haha I can just imagine. Thanks, friend!
Lindsay Cotter says
I love my Instant Pot! Adding this to my must make list! Looks so delicious!
Natasha says
Thanks so much! Enjoy!
Gina @Running to the Kitchen says
This sounds like a winner in my book!! YUMMMM!
Natasha says
Thank you!!
Jennifer Farley says
Love how easy this is in the instant pot!
Natasha says
Thanks, Jennifer!
Agness of Run Agness Run says
I am always up for a good soup recipe and this one won my heart, Natasha! Perfect combo of ingredients which luckily I already have in my kitchen. Can I use red onion for this soup?
Natasha says
Thanks, Agness! Sure, red onion will be fine.