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Easy Crockpot Taco Soup with Ranch Seasoning (Best 5-Ingredient Recipe)

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This easy crockpot taco soup with ranch seasoning is a quick, budget-friendly, and crowd-pleasing meal made with just five simple ingredients. It’s perfect for busy weeknights and tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 works well; drain excess fat after browning)
  • 1 packet taco seasoning (e.g., Old El Paso or McCormick)
  • 1 packet ranch dressing mix (e.g., Hidden Valley; buttermilk version adds extra richness)
  • 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes (fire-roasted adds smoky depth, but regular works fine)
  • 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed (kidney beans or pinto beans also work)
  • 1 can (15 ounces) corn, drained (frozen corn works perfectly—just toss it in frozen)
  • 2 cups beef broth (low-sodium is best so you can control the salt level)

Instructions

  1. Brown the ground beef. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until it’s no longer pink (about 6-8 minutes). Drain the excess fat.
  2. Transfer the beef to the crockpot using a slotted spoon to keep any remaining fat out.
  3. Add the seasoning packets. Sprinkle the taco seasoning and ranch dressing mix evenly over the beef. Don’t stir yet.
  4. Add the canned ingredients. Pour in the diced tomatoes (with juice), drained and rinsed black beans, and drained corn.
  5. Pour in the beef broth. Give the whole pot a good stir to combine all ingredients, making sure the seasoning packets are fully dissolved.
  6. Set it and forget it. Put the lid on your crockpot. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
  7. Taste and adjust. About 30 minutes before serving, taste the soup and add more salt, cumin, lime juice, or hot sauce as desired.
  8. Serve with toppings. Ladle the soup into bowls and let everyone customize their own with shredded cheese, sour cream, crushed tortilla chips, fresh cilantro, diced avocado, and lime wedges.

Notes

Don’t skip browning the beef—it adds depth of flavor. Layer ingredients wisely: beef and seasonings at the bottom, then canned goods, then broth. Watch salt levels; seasoning packets already contain salt. Use a crockpot liner for easy cleanup. Let the soup rest 10-15 minutes before serving. This soup tastes even better the next day. For a thicker soup, mash some black beans before adding or stir in a cornstarch slurry during the last 30 minutes. For a vegetarian version, skip the beef and add an extra can of beans and diced green chiles.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot taco soup, ranch seasoning, easy taco soup, 5-ingredient recipe, slow cooker soup, ground beef soup, weeknight dinner, budget-friendly, crowd-pleaser

Find it online: https://daintydine.com/easy-crockpot-taco-soup-with-ranch-seasoning-best-5-ingredient-recipe/