Slow Cooker Taco Soup (Vegan, Gluten-Free, Healthy) - Delish Knowledge (2024)

Slow CookerTaco Soup! Thisvegan taco soup recipeis cozy comfort food. If you like tacos then you’ll love this taco-inspired soup! Made with two types of beans, chili peppers and corn.

If you are looking for an easy, comforting recipe that’s perfect for busy weeknights then you’ve gotta try this Slow CookerTaco Soup.

I asked you a few weeks ago onInstagramwhat recipes you wanted to see more of andslow cookerrecipes led the charge.

Yes, me too. I want simple, effortless meals that I can assemble in the morning for easy eating at night. It’s probably why my Slow Cooker Vegetable Soup, Butter Chickpeas, Slow Cooker Chana Masala and Slow Cooker Tikka Masala are some of my most popular recipes.

I willalwayslove cooking and also willalwaysgravitate towards simpler options that everyone in my family loves and don’t require a ton of effort. This vegan taco soup checks all the boxes and I can’t wait for you to make it.

If you like myweeknight tortilla soupand are looking for a hands-off, slow-cooker option then this one is for you. See below for tips and more details, or scroll all the way down for the full recipe.

Why We Love this Recipe

We eat a lot of beans in my house. It’s really for my toddler as I’m constantly trying to think of new ways to offer beans. To me, they are a nutrient powerhouse of yes, plant-based protein, butalsoiron and zinc– two nutrients that I am usually focusing on when it comes to his nutrition.

Some days he can’t get enough and happily gobbles up cup after cup of black beans and other days it’s all I can do to get him not to remove the beans as soon as he sees them on his plate. Toddlers,amirite?

Thisslow cookertaco soup was a peace offering for everyone. A brothy, sorta-kinda spicy soup that I knew my husband would love and a colorful presentation of beans and corn that my son may–or may not–eat. I served this alongside sheet pan quesadillas for a meal that I can happily say everyone enjoyed.

Veggie Crock Pot Taco Soup Ingredient Notes

This taco soup made in the slow cooker relies heavily on pantry staples, and you’ll only need a few fresh ingredients, pantry staples and spices.

• Tomato paste: The addition of paste along with the diced tomatoes adds plenty of umami and richness to this vegan taco soup.
• Green chiles: These are canned, you can find them in most grocery stores in either the Mexican aisle or in the aisle with canned vegetables. You can omit for a less spicy soup. Chopped bell peppers can also be substituted for the canned green chiles.
• Fire-roasted diced tomatoes: I love fire-toasted tomatoes and use them often. I find that they are more flavorful than regular diced tomatoes.
• Pinto beans and Black Beans: the combo of beans adds plant-based protein and fiber. You can also add in cooked ground– to keep this vegan, I will often use ground crumbles like those from Beyond or Impossible, but it’s not necessary in this recipe!
• Fresh lime juice: As with most soup recipes, a little acid at the end is really helpful for balancing all of the flavors.
• Favorite Taco Toppings of choice: The best part of this slow cooker taco soup is the toppings! I do avocado, chopped cilantro, shredded cheese (vegan or regular), sour cream (dairy-free or regular), and hot sauce, but whatever you like most on your tacos works!

Substitutions and Suggestions

Traditional taco soup contains ground beef, so if you want this soup to resemble that, then I recommend browning plant-based meat of choice along with the onions and garlic, then adding it to the base of the slow cooker with the rest of the ingredients.

I almost considered adding this to the recipe but thought better of it as it takes away from the whole ‘hands-off slow-cooker’ vibe. However, it does make for a richer, more typical taco soup.

Lastly, you can use any mixture of beans that you’d like, though pinto and black bean are my favorites. Kidney beans will also work If you don’t have the individual spices, then you can use 2-3 tablespoons of a taco seasoning mix from a packet of taco seasoning.

Instructions for this Crockpot Taco Soup Recipe

Topping Suggestions

Now it’s time to top your vegan taco soup! The real beauty of this slow cooker taco soup? The toppings! Similar to my weeknight tortilla soup, I think I like taco soup so much because it’s free rein to add as many toppings as I like.

For fellow texture lovers, I adore the contrast of warm soup with shredded cheddar cheese, creamy avocado or sour cream, crunchy tortilla chips (or baked tortilla strips), and loads of fresh chopped cilantro.A dollop of guacamole is also great!

If I have it, I’ll also add in fresh chopped scallions but know that almost any toppings work. If you like it on tacos, it should work in this soup. For a completely plant-based soup, dairy-free shredded cheese and dairy-free cream cheese are delicious on top. You could also drizzle on my vegan queso dip to keep it both cheesy and dairy-free.

Stove Top Directions

This soup can also be made on the stove! To cook on the stove, sauté the onion, garlic, and spices as directed, then add in the rest of the ingredients.

Simmer for 30 minutes over medium-low heat. Before serving, season to taste, then add in the lime juice right before serving and top as desired.

Instant Pot Directions

To make this in your instant pot, saute the onion, garlic, and spices using the saute function. Then add in the rest of the ingredients, except for the toppings, and cook at high pressure for 8 minutes.

Let come down naturally, then top and serve as desired!

How to store leftover slow cooker taco soup

Like all soups, this one keeps getting better as it sits and it freezes well!To store, cool the soup then place in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days or in the freezer for 3 months.

Enjoy by thawing overnight in the fridge, then warming in a saucepan over medium heat or in the microwave until hot.

More Slow Cooker Soup Recipes

• Slow Cooker Vegetable Soup
• Slow Cooker Tomato Soup
• Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Soup
• Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup
• Slow Cooker Enchilada Soup

If you make this vegan taco soup, make sure to come back to leave a comment and rate it. Your feedback helps other readers and seeing you make my recipes makes my day.

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This soup was first posted in 2021 and updated in 2024.