What's the difference between tortilla soup and taco soup?

Tortilla soup is a traditional Mexican dish with a thin tomato-based broth and crunchy tortilla strips on top. Taco soup, especially Ranch Taco Soup, is a Tex-Mex creation that’s thicker, heartier, and packed with beans, corn, ground beef, and ranch seasoning. It’s more like a full meal in a bowl while tortilla soup is often served as a starter. People also search for tortilla soup vs taco soup because they’re similar, but Ranch Taco Soup’s creamy ranch twist makes it unique.

Why did they get rid of the Cool Ranch Taco?

The Cool Ranch Taco was discontinued due to changing customer preferences and supply chain challenges, but its tangy herby flavor lives on in homemade recipes like Ranch Taco Soup. Adding ranch dressing mix to your taco soup gives you that nostalgic Cool Ranch flavor in a warm, comforting bowl that’s even better than the fast-food version.

What broth goes in taco soup?

This Ranch Taco Soup recipe is very flexible when it comes to broth. While water is a great base, many home cooks prefer to use chicken broth for a lighter flavor or beef broth for a deeper, heartier taste. Vegetable broth works well too if you’re making a vegetarian version. People also search for whether to use broth or water in taco soup, and the answer is simple—use what you have on hand. Each option gives Ranch Taco Soup its own unique twist.

Does ranch dressing go in taco soup?

Yes, the ranch dressing mix is the secret ingredient that makes Ranch Taco Soup stand out. Instead of using bottled ranch dressing, this recipe calls for a dry ranch seasoning mix like Hidden Valley Ranch®. It blends beautifully with the taco spices, beans, and tomatoes to create a creamy, herby flavor profile that keeps people coming back for more. If you’re searching for a way to make taco soup taste richer and more comforting, adding ranch mix is the perfect solution.

Ranch Taco Soup That Will Warm Your Soul (2025)

Ranch Taco Soup That Will Warm Your Soul (Easy Recipe)

Author: Anna
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Category: Soup
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Diet: Gluten Free

Description

This Ranch Taco Soup is a hearty, one-pot Tex-Mex dish featuring ground beef, beans, corn, tomatoes, and a creamy hint of ranch dressing mix for a unique twist. Perfect for busy weeknights or meal prepping, it’s packed with bold flavors and easy to customize.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound lean ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
2 ½ cups water
2 (15 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
2 (15 ounce) cans pinto beans, drained
1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chiles (such as RO*TEL®)
1 (3.8 ounce) can sliced black olives, drained
2 tablespoons ranch dressing mix (such as Hidden Valley Ranch®)
1 (1 ounce) envelope taco seasoning mix

Instructions

In a 4-quart soup pot, combine ground beef, chopped onion, and minced jalapeño. Cook over medium-high heat until the beef is browned and no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
Add water, crushed tomatoes, pinto beans, corn, black beans, diced tomatoes with green chiles, black olives, ranch dressing mix, and taco seasoning mix.
Stir all ingredients together to combine well.
Bring the soup to a boil over medium-high heat.
Reduce heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until flavors meld and soup thickens slightly.
Serve hot with optional garnishes like shredded cheese, sour cream, crushed tortilla chips, or fresh cilantro.

Notes

For a richer flavor, substitute chicken broth or beef broth for water.
Adjust spice level by omitting jalapeños for a milder soup or adding extra green chiles for more heat.
This soup freezes well for up to 3 months. Cool completely before freezing.
Make it vegetarian by swapping ground beef for lentils and using vegetable broth.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 295
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 820mg
Fat: 11g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 34g
Fiber: 8g
Protein: 16g
Cholesterol: 45mg

Keywords: Ranch Taco Soup, taco soup with ranch, Tex-Mex soup, easy taco soup, hearty one-pot soup

Find it online: https://homeasyrecipes.com/ranch-taco-soup-recipe/