Slow Cooker Taco Soup

Photo of my sister Cookie's version

SLOW COOKER TACO SOUP

adapted from https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/slow_cooker_taco_soup/

serves 6

prep time: 10 minutes

slow cooker time: 6-7 hours

I was going to be out all afternoon and then having a guest to dinner, so I was looking for a slow cooker recipe and found this on Simply Recipes. It's very simple and very tasty. It could also be cooked on the stove if you prefer; just cook the beef all the way through in step 1, add the other ingredients, and heat up for a while.

My guest couldn't eat spicy food, so I left out the chili powder and green chiles and reduced the cumin to 1/2 t., and the dish was still very tasty. I look forward to cooking it again with all the spices, and with either turkey or TVP (textured vegetable protein), as suggested by commenters on the Simply Recipes website.

SOUP

1 T. olive oil

1 lb. lean ground beef (or ground turkey or TVP)

1-1/2 cups diced yellow onions

2 cups chicken or beef broth (can use up to 3 cups for more broth)

1 15-oz can diced tomatoes

1 15-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 15-oz can kidney beans, drained and rinsed (I used white, but red would also be fine)

1 4-oz can chopped green chiles

1-1/2 cups corn kernels, fresh or frozen (defrosted)

2-1/2 t. chili powder

1 t. ground cumin

1 t. paprika

1/2 t. salt

GARNISHES

tortilla chips, lightly crushed (I used homemade chips, recipe here)

sour cream (lite is fine)

chopped cilantro

chopped red onion

lime wedges to squeeze the juice

diced avocado (about 1 small avocado for 3 people)

1.     (Can do this step a day or two ahead): Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Add the beef and onions and cook for several minutes, breaking up the beef into small pieces, until the ground beef is browned but not completely cooked and the onions are starting to get soft. Remove from the heat and use immediately, or you can refrigerate for a day or two if you want to make the soup later.

2.     Combine the browned beef, onions, and the remaining soup ingredients in a slow cooker and stir.  Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours.

3.     Serve the soup in bowls and top with the various garnishes.