Delicious and the best Taco Stew Recipe - Oh Sweet Basil (2024)

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This taco stew is the recipe most requested by anyone who knows my mom and now you can try it too! It’s like taco soup but thicker like a chili.

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Taco stew is an easy weeknight dinner recipe that the whole family loves. We love to top it with our favorite taco toppings and everyone can totally customize their own bowl.

So I call this a stew because I add potatoes, carrots and peas to it. That totally qualifies as stew, right?! It’s a little more hearty and chunky than our Instant Pot taco soup or even our taco ground beef chili.

Ok, back to the toppings…there’s something about the Fritos and the soup. I’m serious. I never, and I mean never, think to buy Fritos, but they are a total necessity for topping off the taco stew. I think it’s that crunchy corn taste that works so well with everything.

Ingredients for Taco Stew

I love that this recipe is mostly a pantry meal. It is so nice when you’re on a tight budget or just don’t have time to get to the store. It also cannot be easier! Here is what you will need:

  • Yukon Gold Potatoes: yukons have the best flavor and keep the best texture when added to a soup or stew – you could also use red potatoes as a substitute
  • Carrots: peeled and cut into bite size pieces
  • Onion: just a yellow onion works great
  • Hamburger: 80/20 or 85/15 works great – if you want to go a little healthier, try ground turkey or chicken
  • Frozen Peas: just toss them in frozen, and they’ll be heated through in no time
  • Diced Tomatoes: you can use any brand you want
  • Tomato Sauce: any brand works great
  • Taco Seasoning: you can use a store bought packet or make your own
  • Corn: just open a can of corn and toss it in, no need to drain
  • Chili Beans: pinto beans or black beans also will work great, undrained
  • Kidney Beans: no need to drain these either

The measurements for each ingredient can be found in the recipe at the end of the post.

Which Potatoes are Best for Stew?

My mom always uses Russet potatoes for stew but I think that’s just because we bought them cheap for baked potatoes etc. Russet potatoes are not a good potato for soups and stews as they end up a bit mealy in texture.

Choose red or golden yukon potatoes when making a soup or stew as they have a different amount of starch so your potatoes will be soft and creamy and not crumble in the soup.

What Type of Beef is Best for Stew?

You can use any cut of beef for a beef stew, round, chuck roast, chuck shoulder, etc. (like in our classic beef stew recipe) but in this taco stew recipe we stick with ground beef to give that taco flare.

Can Taco Stew Be Made in the Slow Cooker?

Yes! This is a great slow cooker meal! You will want to brown the hamburger with the onions beforehand on the stove top. Then you can toss all the ingredients into the slow cooker along with the hamburger (that has been drained) and cook it on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours.

Storing, Reheating, and Freezing Taco Stew

To store stew, place it in an airtight container and allow it to cool almost completely then place it in the fridge for up to 5 days. Save all the toppings to add right before serving.

To reheat a single serving of taco stew, I just zap it in the microwave. If I’m going to reheat more than that, I do it on the stovetop over medium heat until it is warmed through.

Yes!! Stew freezes really well! Just cool the stew completely and place in freezer bags or snag yourself our favorite Food Saver. Stew can be frozen for up to 2 months if you’ve pressed out all of the air and sealed it properly.

It’s freezing cold outside right now and we are in the thick of soup season. I actually hate the cold weather, but I can’t get enough soups, stews and chilis! This taco stew is next on my soup menu!

Watch Taco Stew Recipe Video

More Easy Soup RECIPES:

  • Chicken Noodle Soup
  • Meatball Soup
  • Butternut Squash Soup
  • Irish Beef Stew
  • Instant Pot Taco Soup
  • Roasted Tomato Basil Soup
  • Chicken Pot Pie Soup
  • Brown Butter Cauliflower Soup
  • Instant Pot Turkey Chili
  • Cheesy Southwestern Chicken Tortilla Soup
  • All our SOUP RECIPES!

Taco Stew

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3.70 from 72 votes

Servings: 8

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 30 minutes mins

Total Time: 45 minutes mins

Description

This taco stew is the recipe most requested by anyone who knows my mom and now you can try it too! I beg you try this and you won’t regret it!

Ingredients

  • 8 Yukon Gold Potatoes, peeled and diced or 8 red potatoes
  • 3-4 Carrots, peeled and diced
  • 1 Onion , chopped
  • 1 pound Hamburger
  • 1 package Frozen Peas, small package
  • 1 can Tomatoes, 16 oz
  • 1 can Tomato Sauce, 8 oz
  • 1 package Taco Seasoning, or roughly 1/4 cup
  • 1 can Corn, undrained
  • 1 can Chili Beans, undrained
  • 1 can Green Beans, undrained
  • 1 can Kidney Beans, undrained

Instructions

  • In a large pot add a drizzle of olive oil and place over medium heat.

  • Cook the onions until tender, about 3 minutes.

  • Add the carrots and potatoes and add just enough water to cover them.

  • Cook until tender.

  • In a separate pan, over medium heat cook the hamburger, drain the grease and add to the water and tender veggies.

  • Add all of the remaining ingredients and cook until heated through.

  • Serve with shredded cheese, sour cream and fritos!

Notes

To make in the slow cooker, do the first and second step and then dump everything in the slow cooker. We actually love to cook extra ground beef one night and save it for the taco stew to take less time. 🙂

reheat stew in a pot on the stovetop, or in the microwave

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 473kcalCarbohydrates: 96gProtein: 17gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 1452mgPotassium: 1638mgFiber: 14gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 5245IUVitamin C: 66mgCalcium: 164mgIron: 7mg

Author: Sweet Basil

Course: 100 + BEST Easy Beef Recipes for Dinner

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FAQs

How do you thicken taco soup? ›

If you're looking to upgrade your taco soup into a rich, creamy meal, you could turn to tried-and-true thickeners like cream cheese, heavy cream, flour, or corn starch.

What do you put into tacos? ›

It's always a good idea to include something meaty, like ground beef, slow-cooked shredded chicken, or spicy shrimp. Saucy black beans or canned refried beans are also hearty options. Sautéed or grilled peppers and onions are a great vegetable-forward filling to include.

How is the taco made? ›

Tacos are made by first heating the tortillas in a pan. The tortillas are then filled with your choice of protein, vegetables, and sauce. They are then folded or rolled and served with a side of sour cream, guacamole, or salsa.

Can stew meat be used for tacos? ›

These Stew Meat Tacos are delicious and use a cut of meat that you don't usually think of when making tacos. The rich flavor of the spices and the braised stew meat is a great combination for a delicious and easy dinner.

Is it better to thicken soup with flour or cornstarch? ›

It's important to note that cornstarch has twice the thickening power of flour. If you need to substitute cornstarch to thicken liquid in a recipe that calls for ¼ cup (four tablespoons) flour, you only need two tablespoons cornstarch.

What is the best ingredient to thicken soup? ›

Add Flour Or Cornstarch

You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute.

What makes tacos taste better? ›

No one should eat a taco without a wedge of lime. The acidic tang complements the meat - whether it's fried fish or carnitas. When Mexicans marinate carne asada, they soak the beef in orange juice to tenderize the meat and boost the flavor profile.

What is the best sauce for tacos? ›

Cilantro Lime- Cilantro Lime Sauce is fresh, vibrant, full of flavor. That is why it is one of the best sauces for all your tacos! It is made from sour cream, mayonnaise, cilantro, jalapeños, garlic, lime juice, and salt. Cilantro Lime Sauce is creamy, spicy, and sour- with a hint of garlic.

What is the most important ingredient in tacos? ›

Salsa: Salsa and sauces are the soul of your taco, tying all other ingredients together. A tangy pico de gallo complements almost everything.

Which race invented tacos? ›

Tacos are thought to come from Mexico, long before the Spanish arrived. Ancient Mexicans used freshly made, soft, flat corn tortillas and gave them with fillings like fish and cooked organs. It was a staple meal that provided vital nutrients and energy to those who consumed it.

What country eats the most tacos? ›

Norwegians eat the second most tacos in the world. just after Mexico.

What is in a real Mexican taco? ›

Lime is probably the most essential of authentic Mexican taco toppings. A squeeze of lime adds a dash of acid that brings out the other flavors in a taco beautifully. Onions, cilantro, pico de gallo, sliced radishes or cucumbers, avocado, and chili peppers are also standard toppings for authentic tacos.

What piece of meat is best for a stew? ›

Go for the chuck

The most common beef used for stew is chuck steak, also known as gravy beef or braising steak. Beef chuck comes from the forequarter of the animal consisting of parts of the neck, shoulder blade and upper arm. It is easy to find and it's affordable, making it a great choice for your stew.

Which meat is better for stew? ›

Chuck. Chuck is one of the leaner types of beef, making it perfect for stews because it melts into delicious pieces as it cooks. A chuck roast has a large amount of connective tissue, which allows it to retain its moisture during the cooking process.

How to make stew beef tender and juicy? ›

Otherwise a low, SLOW simmer in a dutch oven with beef broth is all you can do. Brown the meat first on high heat, then add broth and simmer for as long as you have time (4–6 hrs?). I do mine in an Insta-Pot then add to beef stew or chili after they're tender.

What can I use to thicken my tortilla soup? ›

Incorporate Cornstarch

Mix cornstarch with a small amount of water to create a slurry. Slowly pour the slurry into your soup while stirring continuously.

How to thicken taco soup without cornstarch? ›

How To Thicken Soup Without Flour Or Cornstarch
  1. Vegetable Purees. One of the easiest and healthiest ways to thicken your soup is by adding vegetable purees. ...
  2. Mashed Potatoes. Another tried and tested method to thicken soups is by incorporating mashed potatoes. ...
  3. Beans and Legumes. ...
  4. Coconut Milk. ...
  5. Roux Substitute.
May 1, 2024

How do you thicken watery taco meat? ›

If you want to skip the cornstarch in your homemade seasoning to use it for other purposes, just sprinkle ⅓ to ½ teaspoon of cornstarch per pound of browned, spiced meat before adding ¾ cup of water and heat until thickened.

How do you thicken Mexican stew? ›

Mix one teaspoon cornflour with a tablespoon of room temperature water and add to your stew. Then bring to the boil and cook until desired thickness is reached. Cornflour is a great gluten-free thickener. It has a slightly more gelatinous texture, so only add a teaspoon at time or your sauce may become a bit goopy.

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