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

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 make stew more flavorful? ›

If it tastes off-balance, add some finishing flavors to bring it to the next level. Try adding soy sauce or Worcestershire for extra savory (or umami) flavor, a touch of honey or brown sugar for sweetness, lemon zest or vinegar for brightness or chili powder or smoked paprika for spice and depth.

What to serve with tacos in the UK? ›

Our 20 Best Side Dishes To Serve With Tacos
  • 01 of 20. Charro Beans. ...
  • 02 of 20. Black Bean And Corn Salsa. ...
  • 03 of 20. Arroz Verde. ...
  • 04 of 20. Mango-Black Bean Salsa. ...
  • 05 of 20. Tejano Red Rice. ...
  • 06 of 20. Corn Salad. ...
  • 07 of 20. Guacamole. ...
  • 08 of 20. Mexican Corn.
Jan 21, 2024

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.

How do you get the depth of flavour in beef stew? ›

Use non-tomato things to bring out more beefy and umami flavours, including:
  1. Properly caramelised onions. This can take up to an hour to do properly.
  2. Worcestershire sauce.
  3. Soy sauce.
  4. A very small amount of star anise. ...
  5. Red wine or something with a small amount of acidity to brighten up the flavours.
Nov 28, 2023

Does stew taste better the longer it cooks? ›

Don't Stew the Stew Too Long Either

It might seem that cooking your beef stew on low for 8 hours will make it even better, but that is not true at all.

What do Mexicans serve with tacos? ›

10 Flavorful Sides to Go with a Taco Bar
  1. Refried Beans. Refried beans, or "frijoles refritos," have been a staple in Mexican cuisine for centuries. ...
  2. Traditional Mexican Rice. ...
  3. Taco Slaw. ...
  4. Seven-Layer Dip. ...
  5. Mexican Street Corn Salad. ...
  6. Zesty Black Bean Salad. ...
  7. Grilled Corn on the Cob. ...
  8. Jalapeño Poppers.
Jul 11, 2023

What sauce goes with tacos? ›

To help you liven up your food in the best way possible, here is a quick guide on the different Mexican sauces.
  1. Salsa de Chamoy. ...
  2. Pico de Gallo. ...
  3. Salsa Verde. ...
  4. Guacamole-Style Salsa Verde. ...
  5. Salsa Roja. ...
  6. Salsa de Chile de Árbol. ...
  7. Salsa Tamulada. ...
  8. Guajillo Chile Salsa.
May 3, 2019

What do Mexicans eat for side dishes? ›

  • Elote (Mexican Street Corn) PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE. ...
  • Fiesta Corn Salad. PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING BARRETT WASHBURNE. ...
  • Refried Pinto Beans. LUCY SCHAEFFER. ...
  • Corn Tortillas. ...
  • Instant Pot Street Corn Queso. ...
  • Beef Empanadas. ...
  • Homemade Salsa. ...
  • Black Bean & Corn Salad.
Apr 12, 2024

How many tacos will 1lb of meat make? ›

How much ground beef per taco? Each taco shell or small soft taco-size tortilla fits about 2 ounces or 1/4 cup of meat. If you add diced onions, you could stretch a pound of ground beef to make about a dozen tacos. With just the meat and spices, you can make about 8 tacos from a pound of meat.

What kind of tomatoes for tacos? ›

Tomatoes add color and freshness to a taco. Roma tomatoes are nice because they are “meaty” and will hold nicely. Purchase vine ripened tomatoes to get a bright red color and better flavor. It's best to remove the seeds before chopping so the juice doesn't water down your taco.

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.

What is stew meat called? ›

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.

How to make stew beef tender and juicy? ›

The most important key to making stew meat tender is being sure to cook it for a long time. If you want super tender beef, you'll need to cook it on a low heat in a Dutch oven on the stove or a slow cooker for at least a few hours.

What can I add to tasteless beef stew? ›

Other herbs, spices, and ingredients that complement rosemary and beef are parsley, sage, thyme, onion, garlic, red wine, and carrots.

What ingredient and taste that you would add to enhance the flavor of a bland stew without adding more salt? ›

5 Ways to Add Flavor Without Adding More Salt
  1. Stir in herbs and spices.
  2. Add a splash of vinegar.
  3. Squeeze or zest citrus.
  4. Sprinkle in some cheese.
  5. Add aromatics like garlic, onions, and shallots.
May 1, 2019

How do you thicken and add flavor to beef stew? ›

Five Thickening Agents for Stew
  1. Make a Roux. Roux is a classic French technique that consists of cooking equal parts flour and fat (usually butter) over a low flame until smooth. ...
  2. Incorporate a Purée. Another option for thickening your stew is to incorporate a purée. ...
  3. Add a Starch. ...
  4. Create a Slurry. ...
  5. Whip Up a Beurre Manié
Aug 15, 2022

How to enhance beef flavor? ›

Beef tastes great when seasoned with oregano, rosemary, sage, garlic or a combination of these seasonings. Poultry gets an added burst of flavor with spices like paprika, lemongrass and saffron. Fish can be made more flavorful with dry mustard powder, thyme and turmeric.

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