Turkey Taco Soup

Prep: 5 mins

Cook: 15 mins

Total: 20 mins

Servings: 3 to 4 servings

This hearty Central Mexico-inspired soup is an easy, one-bowl version of everyone's favorite dinner: taco night. All of the ingredients simmer together to make a robust, flavorful bowl that's especially good with a side of crispy tortilla chips. And with only one dirty pot and a few dirty soup bowls, it's totally fuss-free.

This is a great soup to make after Thanksgiving, when you have leftover turkey to use up and want to do as little cooking as possible. It’s a great way to repurpose cooked, shredded breast or dark meat to create a totally different dish. No one will be complaining of leftover fatigue with this recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon canola or grapeseed oil

• 1 small red onion, diced

• 1 green bell pepper, diced

• 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 tablespoon chili powder

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes, with juice

• 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained

• 1 cup packed shredded cooked turkey

• 3 cups turkey or chicken broth

• Salt, to taste

• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• 1 avocado, diced

• Chips, optional, for serving

• Sour cream, optional, for serving

Steps to Make It

1. Gather the ingredients.

   

2. Preheat a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the oil, followed by the onion. Sauté for 2 minutes.

   

3. Add the bell pepper, jalapeño and garlic. Sauté for 2 more minutes.

   

4. Add the chili powder, cumin, and oregano and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.

   

5. Add the tomatoes and juice, pinto beans, turkey and broth, and stir. Season with salt and pepper.

   

6. Turn up the heat and bring to a simmer.

   

7. Turn the heat to low and let simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.

   

8. Serve topped with diced avocado or a dollop of sour cream and tortilla chips.

   

Recipe Variation

• The typical ground beef is replaced with shredded turkey for a lighter meal—or you can replace it with cooked chicken, if that's what you have on hand.