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This Instant Pot Taco Soup is a quick and easy weeknight dinner packed with bold Mexican flavors. Loaded with beef, beans, corn, and spices, it’s perfect topped with cheese, sour cream, and avocado for a hearty, family-friendly meal.

Close-up of taco soup in a grey bowl, garnished with avocado slices, shredded cheese, sour cream, and fresh cilantro.
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The Best Taco Soup Recipe

One of my favorite memories as a mom is of our daughters coming home on a chilly late fall afternoon, while our son, still just a toddler, stood at the window waiting for them. The moment they passed the big bush in our yard and came into view, he would light up with pure excitement, bouncing with joy until they walked through the door. That year felt like the happiest season for our little family. The girls would scoop him up in hugs, and that night we all gathered around the table with steaming bowls of taco soup topped with crunchy chips.

It’s funny how the simplest, most ordinary days become the ones we treasure most. There’s something about a pot of soup on the stove that feels grounding and safe. I honestly think every family should make soup at least once a month during the school year! Kids go through so much, and soup has a way of bringing comfort, warmth, and calm to the whole house.

instant pot taco soup in grey bowl topped with cilantro, cheese, and sour cream

Instant Pot Taco Soup Ingredients

This hearty taco soup is loaded with beef, beans, corn, and bold taco flavors. It’s quick to make and perfect for weeknight dinners or game-day gatherings.

  • Olive Oil: Adds richness and helps brown the beef and onions.
  • Ground Beef: Provides hearty, savory flavor as the base of the soup. Can swap for ground chicken or ground turkey.
  • Onion: Adds sweetness and depth to the broth.
  • Corn: Brings a touch of natural sweetness and texture.
  • Pinto Beans: Adds protein, fiber, and heartiness. Can swap for black beans or kidney beans.
  • Rotel Diced Tomatoes and Green Chilies: Adds a mild kick and bright tomato flavor.
  • Diced Tomatoes: Provides a rich, savory tomato base for the soup.
  • Dry Ranch Seasoning Mix: Adds creamy, tangy flavor for extra depth.
  • Taco Seasoning: Gives the soup classic taco spices and a flavorful punch.
  • Beef Broth: Creates a savory, flavorful liquid base for the soup. Swap with chicken broth in a pinch.

Serve it with your favorite toppings and enjoy a warm, comforting bowl that’s sure to become a family favorite.

Note: This recipe calls for dry ranch seasoning, not ranch dressing. Ranch seasoning usually comes in small packets and can be found in the spice aisle.

all the ingredients for instant pot taco soup including ground beef, Rotel, pinto beans, cans of diced tomatoes, ranch seasoning powder, diced onions and diced red bell pepper

How to Make Taco Soup in an Instant Pot

This easy taco soup is packed with bold flavors and ready in no time using your Instant Pot or slow cooker.

  1. Sauté: Heat olive oil in the Instant Pot or a pan. Cook ground beef and chopped onion until browned.
  2. Drain: Remove excess fat from the meat and onions.
  3. Combine: Add corn, pinto beans, Rotel, diced tomatoes, ranch seasoning, and taco seasoning. Stir to mix.
  4. Add Broth: Pour in beef broth and stir until everything is well combined.
  5. Cook:
    • Instant Pot: Seal and cook on “Soup” for 20 minutes, then quick release.
    • Slow Cooker: Cook on low for 5–6 hours or high for 4 hours.
  6. Serve: Top with shredded cheese, avocado, sour cream, and Fritos as desired.

Ladle it into bowls and top with your favorite taco fixings for a hearty, satisfying meal everyone will love.

Grey bowl filled with mexican sopa, finished with fresh cilantro, creamy sour cream, shredded cheese, and avocado pieces.

What to Top Instant Pot Taco Soup With

You can top your taco soup with anything you’d normally add to a taco. Some of our favorites include shredded cheese, sour cream or Greek yogurt, Fritos, pickled jalapeños, avocado, diced tomato, chopped onion, hot sauce, and green chiles. For extra freshness, add a squeeze of lime juice right before serving. You can also serve it with warm tortillas or tortilla chips!

Kick up the heat with chili powder, a splash of hot sauce, or fresh peppers like jalapeño.

Can I Make Taco Soup in a Slow Cooker?

Absolutely! To make this easy taco soup in a slow cooker, you’ll need to brown the meat and onions in a skillet before transferring the mixture to a slow cooker. Dump in the rest of the ingredients, then let the taco soup cook on low for 5 to 6 hours.

Grey bowl of Instant Pot taco soup on a white countertop, topped with fresh cilantro, sour cream, shredded cheese, and sliced avocado.

Freezing and Reheating Instant Pot Taco Soup

Instant Pot Taco Soup freezes beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep or saving leftovers. Let the soup cool to room temperature, then store it in freezer-safe bags or jars. When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through. The flavors stay just as vibrant, so it tastes fresh and delicious every time.

Tips for Making Instant Pot Taco Soup

Carrian Cheney

Factor in pressure time: Remember the Instant Pot needs time to build and release pressure, which can add a few extra minutes to cooking.

Customize ingredients: Swap beans, omit corn, or adjust other ingredients to fit your taste and what you have on hand.

Add spice carefully: If you like it spicy, add a dash of hot sauce to the pot or just to your bowl. Start small—a little goes a long way.

Extra guidance: Check out our Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Cheat Sheet for tips on cooking all the basics in your Instant Pot.

a bowl of taco soup topped with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream and diced avocado

This Instant Pot Taco Soup is hearty, flavorful, and easy to customize, making it the perfect weeknight meal. Top it with your favorite taco fixings and enjoy a warm, comforting bowl your whole family will love.

Other Comforting Recipes You’ll Love

How to Make Instant Pot Taco Soup

4.11 from 56 votes

Instant Pot Taco Soup

By Carrian Cheney
Prep10 minutes
Cook20 minutes
Total50 minutes
Servings4 -6
This Instant Pot Taco Soup is a quick and easy weeknight dinner packed with bold Mexican flavors. Loaded with beef, beans, corn, and spices, it’s perfect topped with cheese, sour cream, and avocado for a hearty, family-friendly meal.
Want to save this recipe?
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!

Ingredients 

  • 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 2 Pounds Ground Beef
  • 1 Medium Onion, chopped
  • 1 Can Corn, 15.25 oz.
  • 1 Can Pinto Beans, 16 oz., drained and rinsed
  • 1 Can Rotel Diced Tomatoes and Green Chilies, 10 oz.
  • 2 Cans Diced Tomatoes, 14.5 oz.
  • 1 Packet Dry Ranch Seasoning Mix
  • 2 Packets Taco Seasoning
  • 2 ½ Cups Beef Broth

Instructions 

FOR THE INSTANT POT:

  • Set the instant pot to "Saute" and add olive oil.
    2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
  • Once hot, add the ground beef and onions, cook until meat is browned.
    2 Pounds Ground Beef, 1 Medium Onion
  • Turn off instant pot and drain meat.
  • Put the meat back into the instant pot.
  • Add corn, beans, rotel, diced tomatoes, ranch seasoning and taco seasoning.
    1 Can Corn, 1 Can Pinto Beans, 1 Can Rotel Diced Tomatoes and Green Chilies, 2 Cans Diced Tomatoes, 1 Packet Dry Ranch Seasoning Mix, 2 Packets Taco Seasoning
  • Add beef broth and stir.
    2 ½ Cups Beef Broth
  • Place the lid on and set the valve to "Sealed".
  • Press the "Soup" button and set timer for 20 minutes.
  • Once the soup is done, turn valve to "Quick Release".
  • Serve soup with shredded cheese, avocado, sour cream and Fritos.  

FOR THE SLOW COOKER:

  • Heat a pan to medium heat and add olive oil. Once hot, add the meat and the onions. Cook until meat is browned. Drain.
  • Add meat and onions to the slow cooker. Add corn, beans, rotel, diced tomatoes, ranch seasoning and taco seasoning. Add beef broth and stir.
  • Cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 4 hours.
  • Serve soup with shredded cheese, avocado, sour cream and Fritos.

Recipe Notes

Leftovers can be cooled, stored in freezer bags or jars, then thawed and reheated for a fresh, flavorful meal.
 
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1Bowl, Calories: 831kcal, Carbohydrates: 41g, Protein: 47g, Fat: 55g, Saturated Fat: 19g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 26g, Trans Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 161mg, Sodium: 1582mg, Potassium: 1538mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 13g, Vitamin A: 678IU, Vitamin C: 37mg, Calcium: 155mg, Iron: 8mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Like this? Leave a comment below!

About The Author

Carrian Cheney

Carrian Cheney is the creative force behind ‘Oh, Sweet Basil,’ a food blog she co-authors with her husband, Cade. She creates fresh, family-friendly recipes that encourage togetherness in the kitchen.

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4.11 from 56 votes (52 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




48 Comments

  1. Joe Thompson says:

    1 star
    I hate this website with its crappy ads, pointless stories, and missing recipes.

    1. Sweet Basil says:

      Hi Joe! I’m sorry for your frustration! There is a convenient “Jump to Recipe” button at the beginning of every post that will take you straight to the recipe card if the recipe is all you are after. You can save or print the recipe from there.

  2. Pamela says:

    5 stars
    This site has the best, most original recipes I have seen on the internet. Love it.

    1. Sweet Basil says:

      Thank you Pamela!! XOXO!

  3. Carrie says:

    Hello! This recipe looks great. What size Instant Pot did you use?

    1. Sweet Basil says:

      We have a 6qt Instant Pot.

  4. jayne larose says:

    5 stars
    I made this and its a yummy recipe!! I just wanted to know in the nutrition facts it says a serving is one bowl. Wondering if you mean one cup? Thanks.

    1. Sweet Basil says:

      Yes, it’s about 1-1.25 cups of soup.

  5. CP says:

    I have a pretty dumb question. I have never used a pressure cooker before and I have an off-brand one that has a “stew” button but no “soup” button. Are these the same thing?

    1. Sweet Basil says:

      Hi Catie! I’m not family with other brands but I would imagine it would be the same thing. You could also just do Manual for 20 minutes. Enjoy!

  6. Wendy says:

    I never leave reviews, but this recipe was delicious and so easy! I just got my instant pot but have had a crockpot for forever. I’m so excited to be able to do things I love to do in the crockpot much faster in the IP. I was too nervous to freehand like I do in the crockpot since I’m not familiar with how much liquid to lose, time, setting, etc. 

    I subbed corn for a can of black beans. I used chili rotel and fire roasted garlic tomatoes because who hates more flavor?! This was DELICIOUS and I will definitely be making again. 

    1. Sweet Basil says:

      Yay! Thanks for the feedback Wendy! So glad you enjoyed it!

  7. Lisa says:

    I have tried to make taco soup in my instant pot several times now, and every time I get the burn notification with it scorching slightly. I’ve tried it with the soup setting and the manual setting. I’ve even tried adding more broth to make it less thick.

    1. Sweet Basil says:

      I’m so sorry this keeps happening! It seems like some Instant Pots are more sensitive than others. You could try browning the meat in on the stove in a different pan.

  8. Deb says:

    *****Really great recipe! I added 1 can of green chilies and used 3 T each of taco seasoning and ranch powder ( I dont buy packets). I added a handful of cilantro to pot after cooking. I will make this often as my husband raved over it too.

    1. Sweet Basil says:

      Love to hear this Deb! I love the addition of more green chiles!

  9. Doug G says:

    Never one to comment , but this was really great. Also never one to change a recipe and mention it because of the great taste they usually have… with that said… great , quick recipe. I did use Ranch Style beans “with jalapeños” and the Ready for Chili diced tomatoes… gave it a good Louisiana kick….

    1. Sweet Basil says:

      There you go! We are all about altering recipes to make them just how we like them! Thanks for taking time to leave us a comment, Doug!

  10. Jewel says:

    I got an instant pot for my birthday but haven’t used it yet. I usually make soup in my crock pot. Can I make the soup in the instant pot and then leave it in there for several hours like I would my crock pot?

    1. Sweet Basil says:

      Yes, just push “warm” when it’s done cooking.