Creamy Taco Soup with Ground Turkey

There’s something about a big bowl of creamy soup that just hits the spot when you want an easy dinner, and this creamy taco soup with ground turkey is one of those recipes that doesn’t need much effort at all. It’s warm, filling and packed with those taco flavors we all love.

The cream cheese is what really makes this one for me. It melts right into the soup and makes everything thick and creamy, while the Rotel, cumin and taco sauce give it just the right amount of flavor and a little bit of heat. And using ground turkey keeps it from feeling too heavy.

This is a really good one for those nights when you want proper comfort food but really can’t be bothered with anything complicated. Add some cheese and cilantro on top, grab a few tortilla chips for scooping if you fancy them, and dinner is done.

Equipment

• Large pot or Dutch oven
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Knife and cutting board 

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground turkey – I love using ground turkey here because it’s nice and lean but still makes the soup really filling.

• 1 whole onion, diced – Any regular yellow or white onion will work perfectly, so just use whatever you’ve already got.

• 8 oz cream cheese, cubed – Cutting it into cubes helps it melt into the soup much more easily and gives you that lovely creamy texture.

• 8 oz Rotel diced tomatoes and chilies – These add tomatoes, chilies and loads of flavor in one go, which keeps things nice and easy.

• 1 tbsp garlic salt – This adds plenty of garlicky flavor as well as seasoning the soup at the same time.

• 1 tbsp ground cumin – Cumin gives the soup that warm, slightly smoky flavor that works so well with anything taco-inspired.

• 2 tbsp taco sauce – Use your favorite taco sauce here and go mild or spicy depending on how much heat you like.

• 2 tbsp cilantro, for garnish – A little fresh cilantro on top adds some freshness and color, but you can absolutely leave it off if you’re not a fan.

• 2 tbsp cheese, for garnish – I like a little shredded cheese over the top just before serving, and there’s definitely no harm in adding more than the recipe says!

Recipe Instructions

Full measurements and cooking times can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Step 1: In a large pot, cook the ground turkey with the diced onion until the meat is browned and the onion is soft and translucent.

Step 2:Once the turkey is browned and the onion is soft, add the cream cheese, diced tomatoes and green chilies, garlic salt, cumin, and taco sauce to the pot.

Step 3: Stir everything together over medium-low heat until the cream cheese has completely melted and everything is well combined and heated through.

Step 4: Top with cilantro and shredded cheese before serving.

What to Serve with Turkey Taco Soup

This turkey taco soup is pretty filling all on its own, especially once you’ve added all your favorite toppings, so you really don’t need to serve loads alongside it. I usually think something crunchy for dipping or a simple side works best.

• Tortilla chips – Perfect for dipping and scooping up that thick, creamy soup.
• Cornbread – A warm slice of cornbread on the side works really well and makes dinner feel even more comforting.
• Avocado – Add some sliced or diced avocado on top for a little extra creaminess.
• Sour cream – A spoonful on top is especially good if you’ve made your soup a little spicy.
• Extra shredded cheese – Because I’m not sure there’s ever such a thing as too much cheese with taco soup!
• A simple green salad – If you want something fresher alongside it, a quick salad is more than enough.

Storing

If you’ve got any leftovers, let the soup cool before popping it into an airtight container and storing it in the refrigerator. It should keep well for around 3–4 days, so it’s a handy one to make ahead for an easy lunch or dinner later in the week.

When you’re ready to eat it again, just reheat it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until it’s piping hot. The soup will thicken up a little as it sits in the fridge, so you can stir in a splash of broth or milk while reheating if you want to loosen it up a bit.

Variations & Substitutions

This is quite a simple recipe, so there’s plenty of room to change things around depending on what you’ve got in the fridge or how spicy you want it. I wouldn’t worry too much about sticking to everything exactly.

• Swap the ground turkey – Ground chicken or ground beef will both work perfectly well instead.
• Make it spicier – Use a hot taco sauce, spicy Rotel or add a little cayenne or chopped jalapeño.
• Make it milder – Stick with mild Rotel and a mild taco sauce if you’re feeding anyone who isn’t keen on too much heat.
• Add some beans – Black beans or pinto beans would be an easy way to bulk the soup out and make it stretch a little further.
• Add corn – A handful of canned or frozen corn would work really well with all those taco flavors.
• Change the cheese – Cheddar, Monterey Jack or a Mexican cheese blend are all good options for piling on top.
• Skip the cilantro – If cilantro really isn’t your thing, just leave it off or use a little chopped green onion instead.

FAQs

Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef in taco soup?

Yes! Ground turkey works really well in taco soup and is what I’ve used for this recipe. It still makes the soup filling and hearty, and there’s plenty of flavor coming from the Rotel, cumin and taco sauce.

Can I make turkey taco soup ahead of time?

Absolutely. You can make this creamy turkey taco soup ahead of time and keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days. Just reheat it gently when you’re ready to eat.

How do I thicken taco soup?

This taco soup is naturally quite thick thanks to the cream cheese. If you want it even thicker, just let it simmer gently for a little longer. If it ends up thicker than you’d like, you can add a splash of chicken broth to loosen it up.

Is turkey taco soup spicy?

It can be, but it doesn’t have to be. The heat will mostly depend on the Rotel and taco sauce you use, so choose mild versions if you want a more family-friendly taco soup. If you like things spicy, use hot Rotel or add some jalapeños.

What toppings are good on turkey taco soup?

There are loads of options! Shredded cheese and cilantro are my go-to toppings, but sour cream, avocado, green onions, jalapeños and crushed tortilla chips are all really good too.

Can I add beans to ground turkey taco soup?

Yes, black beans or pinto beans would be really good in this recipe. Drain and rinse them first, then stir them into the soup and let everything heat through.

Can I freeze creamy turkey taco soup?

You can freeze it, although soups containing cream cheese can sometimes change texture slightly once they’ve been frozen and thawed. Let the soup cool completely, freeze it in an airtight container, then thaw it overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat it gently and give it a really good stir to bring everything back together.

What can I serve with ground turkey taco soup

Tortilla chips, cornbread or a simple green salad all work really well. You can also just load the soup up with toppings and serve it on its own, as it’s already pretty filling.