Original Taco Soup CrockPot Recipe

Day 54.

I'm calling this the "original" taco soup recipe because it is the very first taco soup crockpot recipe I tried.

That makes it the original.

This was the recipe that made me fall in love with my crockpot. I first came across it a hundred million years ago on a message board. Carmen posted it. I have seen different variations, but in my not-so-humble-opinion, this one is the very best.

The Ingredients:
serves 8 to 10 as a full meal, but can get stretched to feed 16 or so if served over rice or chips

there are a lot of cans. recycle. make Al Gore happy.

--2(15-ounce) cans of kindey beans, drained and rinsed

--2 (15-ounce) cans of pinto beans, drained and rinsed

--2 (15-ounce) cans of corn (WITH juice!!)

--1 large can (26-ounces) of diced tomatoes (I have no idea why the can wasn't in this picture. I know I put it in. This is a mystery.)

--1 (10-ounce) can tomatoes and chiles (Rotel)

--1 packet taco seasoning (if you are gluten free, stick to McCormick)

--1 packet ranch dressing mix (make sure there isn't hidden gluten, I went with Hidden Valley)

--1 pound browned ground turkey or hamburger (optional.)

--shredded cheese and sour cream for embelishment (optional, unless you're in my house. then it's mandatory.)

The Directions:

Use the largest slow cooker you have in the house --- this is a BIG recipe, you need a 6-quart or above.

--brown meat if you are going to use it

--drain fat and add to crockpot stoneware insert (the meat. not the fat.)

--sprinkle seasoning packets on top of meat

--drain and rinse the beans and add

--add the ENTIRE contents of the corn and tomato cans
--stir.

cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-5. I think the longer you cook soup, the better, so if you have the time, opt for cooking on low. 

Stir well, and serve with a handful of shredded cheese and a dollop of sour cream.

We brought this to a PTA potluck dinner this week and it was well-received.

I used painter's tape to secure the lid. I'm resourceful that way.