Talkin’ about keto taco soup… the soup and the toppings are so versatile. Create your own every time go-to easy taco soup, or pull from the pantry for endless variations.
For more low carb soup inspiration, check out my chicken curry soup, keto chicken enchilada soup, or keto chicken soup.
To Top It All Off…
Make each bowl, each bite for that matter, your own. Toppings make a difference here. Get creative with what’s in your fridge or get fancy and go full-out toppings bar. With salsa and taco seasoning the soup base builds flavor quickly, which is one of the reasons you can be so versatile with your ingredients.
My husband likes corn (he’s a little less carb conscious) in his version. If you’re like him, you could add a range of drained, canned beans to this situation.
Then top it off with cool, creamy sour cream. Or Avocado! Or Cheese! Or…Sometimes…Yes! All of These! I love a little greenery here too—chopped cilantro, jalapeño, green onion—even a squeeze of lime! (Or again, all of these!)
Comforting, Customizable. Talk about it.
Ingredient Notes (Carb Watching Tips)
Some of our chicken taco soup ingredients vary in carbs by brand. Be sure to read labels and make sure what you grab jives with your eating plan. Here’s what to watch out for:
- Store-bought taco seasoning often contains added sugar. I usually make my own (check out my keto taco seasoning here). There are some store-bought products you can buy, such as Kroger’s brand.
- Salsa can also contain added sugar. Just read the label and find a product that works with your eating plan. Also, salsa plays a big role in the flavor of this soup–if you like spicy food, opt for a spicier salsa. Fire-roasted? Sure! Garlic heavy? Great. Just grab your fave.
- Chicken. In the recipe below, we’ll poach the chicken in our low carb taco soup. If you’d like to skip this step, feel free to buy cooked chicken and add it in at the end, just to heat it up.
How to Make Keto Taco Soup:
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- Add oil to a large pot over medium heat. Add the yellow onion, bell pepper, and jalapeno until softened—about 7 minutes.
- Add minced garlic, taco seasoning, oregano, and continue to saute for about 2-3 minutes, or until garlic is fragrant.
- Add salt, pepper, diced tomatoes, salsa, and chicken broth, and stir to combine.
- Add the chicken breast, and fully submerge in the cooking liquid. Bring your soup to a boil, then reduce to a simmer
- Remove cooked chicken from the soup, set it aside on a plate, and allow it to cool.
- Once cool enough to handle, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces and add it back to the soup.
- Ladle soup bowls and top with suggested toppings. Enjoy!
Your Guide to Toppings
Just like a taco, this keto taco soup is really all about the toppings. Our favorites are:
- Shredded cheese, like cheddar or pepper jack
- Chopped cilantro
- Sour cream
- Sliced avocado
- Jalapeno slices
- keto tortilla chips or parmesan crisps
Recipe Variations
- Add more keto vegetables, just saute them first to help the release their liquid.
- Skip the chicken and turn this into a low carb vegetable soup.
- Make the soup spicier, by adding an extra jalapeño or two. You can also add cayenne pepper like I do in my keto chili.
- Turn this into a creamy taco soup, by stirring in some heavy cream or sour cream when you add the chicken back.
- Corn? Beans? If you’re on a low-ish carb eating plan, you may be curious about the carb content in corn and beans. Adding 1 cup of corn to this recipe, will add 4.6g net carbs per serving, and 1 cup of black beans will add 4.2g net carbs per serving.
More Low Carb Soup Recipes
- Rotisserie Chicken Soup
- Keto Broccoli Cheese Soup
- Keto Chicken and Dumplings
- Keto Beef Stew
- Keto Ramen
Keto Taco Soup
Print Recipe Pin RecipeServings :6 Bowls
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons Mild Tasting Oil (note 1)
- 1 1/2 cup Yellow Onion chopped
- 1 Red Bell Pepper ribbed/seeds removed, chopped
- 1 Jalapeno ribbed/seeds removed, minced
- 1 Tablespoon Garlic minced
- 4 Tablespoons Keto Taco Seasoning or 1-1.25 oz packet of taco seasoning without added sugar (note 2)
- 2 Teaspoons Oregano dried
- 1 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1/2 Teaspoon Pepper
- 1-14.5 Oz Can Petite Diced Tomatoes with the juice
- 1-16 Ounce Jar of Salsa with the juice (note 3)
- 3 Cups Chicken Broth
- 2 Chicken Breasts
Optional Toppings:
- Pepper Jack or Cheddar Cheese shredded
- Sour Cream
- Avocado
- Fresh Cilantro chopped
- Jalapeno
Instructions
- Saute. Add oil (2 tablespoons) to a large pot over medium heat. Once shimmering, add the yellow onion (1 1/2 cup chopped), bell pepper (1 chopped), and jalapeno (1 minced) until softened—about 7 minutes. Add minced garlic (1 tablespoon), taco seasoning (4 tablespoons), oregano (2 teaspoons), and continue to saute for about 2-3 minutes, or until garlic is fragrant.
- Simmer. Add salt (1 teaspoon), pepper (1/2 teaspoon), diced tomatoes (14.5-ounce can), salsa (16 ounces), and chicken broth (3 cups), and stir to combine. Add the chicken breast (2), and fully submerge in the cooking liquid. Bring your soup to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 20-25 minutes--you'll know it's done once the center of your chicken breast reaches an internal temp of 165 F.
- Shred chicken + serve. Remove cooked chicken from the soup, set it aside on a plate, and allow it to cool. Once cool enough to handle, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces and add it back to the soup. Give everything a good stir. Taste and adjust seasoning to your liking. Ladle soup bowls (nutritional information is based on 1/6th of the recipe) and top with suggested toppings. Enjoy!
Fans Also Made These Low Carb Recipes:
Lindsey's Tips
- Mild Tasting Oil. You want an oil with a high smoke point and mild flavor -- think avocado, vegetable, safflower, sunflower, peanut. Skip EVOO, coconut, or sesame oil.
- Avocados. Go for haas! They’re higher in fat, creamier and WAY more delicious than regular (sorry Florida 😘).
- Low carb taco seasoning can be hard to find at the store. If using a store-bought product, just read the label and watch out for added sugar and cornstarch.
- Salsa can contain added sugar (believe it or not), just check your label. Also, this is a great way to adjust the spiciness of your soup--opt for spicy or mild based on your taste.
- To save carbs: I like the flavor of this soup as is, but if you’d like the shave off some carbs, consider using less onion, or swapping the diced tomatoes with chicken broth.
- To make it spicier: add more jalapenos, use a spicy salsa, or add some cayenne pepper.
- Nutritional Information doesn't include toppings:
Nutrition
Calories: 113kcalTotal Carbohydrates: 12gProtein: 5gFat: 6gSodium: 968mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gNet Carbs: 9g
©Little Pine Low Carb. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media/website/blog is strictly prohibited.
How do you make your own taco seasoning? I would love to have the recipe.
Hello Darlene! Here’s a link for the Low Crab Taco Seasoning: https://www.thelittlepine.com/low-carb-taco-seasoning/ Hope you enjoy!?
This is one of the best soups I’ve ever eaten. I shared it with my neighbor who loves spicy soups and who wasn’t feeling well. She is feeling better and I’m making another batch for both of us to freeze for later.
Aww you’re such a sweet neighbor Sharon!??? So happy you enjoyed <3 There's nothing better than a bowl of Taco Soup ???
I made this tonight was so good! Just a tad to spicy for me, if you have a cold this will clear the ole sinus’ up lol
I’m so happy you enjoyed it Kayren ???
Turns out great!Thank you so much for such a delish keto option!
Hello Ella! I’m so glad you enjoyed! ?
My kids and I absolutely loved this!! Ive been hoping to get them more into healthy eating and i think i may have finally found a way to do that using Keto diets! Im so excited to try some more recipes, I actually found some I was hoping to get your thoughts on?
Thanks Dylan! Happy you guys enjoyed it!
I wish you would include the actual size of a portion…cups of soup are difficult to determine with so many ingredients included. Is serving size 1/2 cup? 3/4 cup? 1 cup? or other?
I haven’t made this recipe yet but intend to, so I can’t really rate it!
Hi Cindy! Since the soup reduces for 40 minutes, it’s hard to give an exact measurement, as everyone will cook a different amount of liquid out of the soup. This is why the most accurate way to calculate the nutrition is to divide the soup into 8 servings. Hope this helps!
I love the flavors here. I also love that it’s delicious AND low carb. I have a friend who’s doing keto, and she’s about to lose her mind. She’s going to love this.
Yahoo! SO excited to hear what she thinks!
This delicious and hearty soup is exactly what I need right now! Looks so inviting!
Yay! Excited for you to give this a try!
This Low Carb Taco Soup is most definitely an EPIC meal!
Can;t agree with you more!
I would love a big bowl of this delicious soup!! SO hearty and delicious!
Can’t agree with you more!
The flavors in this soup are incredible! I can’t wait to give it a try!
Yay! And I can’t also wait to hear what you think, Beti!
Such an amazing taco soup recipe! It is so good!
Right?! SO glad you enjoyed it< Sandra!
Absolutely loving this!
Yay! So glad you’re loving it, Vikki!
This is so delicious! It’s in our permanent dinner rotation!!!
Fantastic! So glad to hear that, Kathleen! <3
So satisfying, definitely great with the sliced jalapeños.
Can’t agree with you more, Erik!
Looks delish! Adding on our must make list!
Yay! SO glad to hear that, Erin!
I love taco soup. This recipe is a keeper!
Yay! SO glad you loved it, Krystle!
Taco Soup is such a flavorful and delicious dish! Love the low carb version!
Can’t agree with you more, Catalina!
Added corn this time and it was amazing again! Love this soup!
Sounds really good, Sandra!