About This Irresistible Beef Enchilada Soup

Inspired by one of our most beloved recipes—the Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet—this Beef Enchilada Soup takes those cherished flavors and transforms them into a truly incredible and comforting bowl. It’s been meticulously crafted to become a family favorite, delivering a perfect balance of savory ground meat, wholesome vegetables, and aromatic spices in every spoonful. This hearty soup is not only packed with lean protein and loaded with essential nutrients, but it’s also naturally dairy-free if you opt to skip the creamy toppings, making it versatile for various dietary needs.

The secret to achieving such a deep, rich, and undeniably bold flavor, reminiscent of classic enchiladas, lies in one simple yet powerful ingredient: a can of high-quality red enchilada sauce. This convenient and versatile sauce infuses the broth with all the authentic spice, smokiness, and complexity you crave, without requiring any extra effort or a long list of individual spices. It’s the ultimate shortcut to maximum flavor and a truly satisfying Tex-Mex experience at home!

Why This Enchilada Soup Will Be Your New Go-To Meal

There are countless reasons to make this Beef Enchilada Soup a staple in your recipe rotation:

• Effortless One-Pot Cooking: Say goodbye to piles of dirty dishes! This entire meal comes together in a single pot, making cleanup a breeze and ideal for busy weeknights.
• Hearty & Deeply Satisfying: Loaded with lean ground beef, tender sweet potatoes, and fiber-rich black beans, this soup is incredibly filling and satisfying, ensuring everyone leaves the table content.
• Explosion of Authentic Flavor: The carefully selected blend of savory spices combined with the rich red enchilada sauce creates a complex and irresistible taste that will transport your taste buds straight to your favorite Mexican restaurant.
• Nutrient-Dense & Wholesome: Enjoy a healthy dose of lean protein, essential fiber, and a vibrant array of vitamins from the meat and fresh vegetables, making it a meal you can feel good about.
• Highly Customizable: Easily adaptable to various dietary preferences and tastes. You can adjust the spice level, swap proteins, or add extra vegetables to make it truly your own.
• Excellent for Meal Prepping: This soup reheats beautifully and tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for preparing in advance for quick lunches or dinners throughout the week.
• Crowd-Pleasing & Family-Friendly: With its comforting flavors and adjustable heat, this soup is a hit with both kids and adults, making it an ideal choice for family dinners.

Essential Ingredients for Your Beef Enchilada Soup

Gathering the right ingredients is the first step toward creating this delightful soup. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need to assemble:

• Olive Oil: Used to sauté your aromatics and brown the meat, it provides a crucial foundational layer of flavor to the soup. Any neutral cooking oil like avocado or canola oil can be used as a substitute.
• Onion & Red Pepper: These aromatic vegetables form the sweet and savory base of the soup. Finely dicing them ensures they soften beautifully and integrate seamlessly into the soup’s texture. Yellow or white onions are ideal, and any color of bell pepper works well.
• Sweet Potatoes: These add a wonderful natural sweetness and a creamy, comforting texture as they cook down. You can peel them for a smoother consistency or leave the skin on for added fiber and a more rustic appearance. Ensure they are diced into small, even cubes (about 1/2 inch) for consistent cooking until fork-tender.
• Ground Meat: We highly recommend using lean (93/7) ground beef or ground turkey. Both provide a robust protein base and absorb the rich flavors of the broth beautifully. Choose whichever you prefer or have readily available. For an even richer, more indulgent soup, 80/20 ground beef can be used, just remember to drain any excess fat before adding spices.
• Garlic & Seasonings: This vibrant blend of minced garlic, ground chili powder, cumin, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and dried oregano brings the characteristic warmth, depth, and smoky spice that are essential to authentic enchilada flavor. These spices are key to the soup’s rich complexity.
• Beef Bouillon Powder: This small but powerful addition significantly enhances the richness and deep, meaty umami of the broth, perfectly complementing the ground beef. If using bouillon cubes, dissolve one in a tablespoon of hot water before adding.
• Red Enchilada Sauce: This is truly the star ingredient! A can of red enchilada sauce is your ultimate shortcut to an incredibly bold and flavorful broth. We suggest starting with a mild variety, like Old El Paso Mild Enchilada Sauce, to allow you to control the soup’s spice level to your preference.
• Black Beans: These healthy legumes add a fantastic source of plant-based protein, dietary fiber, and a pleasant textural contrast to the creamy soup. Always remember to thoroughly drain and rinse canned black beans before adding them to remove excess sodium and improve their flavor. Pinto beans or kidney beans can also be delicious alternatives.
• Chicken Broth (or Stock): This forms the essential liquid base of your soup. Using a high-quality chicken broth or stock will make a noticeable difference in the overall depth and richness of the flavor. Low-sodium varieties are excellent for precise control over the salt content. For an even deeper beefy flavor profile, consider using beef broth.
• Salt and Pepper: These fundamental seasonings are crucial for bringing out and balancing all the flavors in the soup. Start with the suggested amounts and always taste and adjust as needed throughout the cooking process.

How to Make This Delicious One-Pot Beef Enchilada Soup

Creating this flavorful soup is incredibly straightforward and deeply rewarding. Follow these simple, step-by-step instructions for a perfect batch every time, even if you’re a beginner cook:

1. Sauté Aromatics: Begin by heating the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the finely diced onion and red pepper and sauté for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften and become translucent. This step builds the foundational flavor.
2. Brown the Meat: Push the softened vegetables to the edges of the pot, creating a clear space in the center. Add the lean ground beef (or turkey) to the center. Increase the heat to high and let the meat sear undisturbed for a few minutes to develop a beautiful crust and rich flavor. Then, break it up with a wooden spoon and continue to cook, crumbling it, until it is mostly browned through. If using fattier ground beef, drain any excess grease at this point.
3. Infuse with Spices: Once the meat is nearly cooked and any excess fat has been drained, add the minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, dried oregano, and beef bouillon powder to the pot. Stir everything well to combine the spices thoroughly with the meat and veggies. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly, until the mixture is incredibly fragrant. This “blooming” of the spices intensifies their flavor. Season generously with salt and pepper; we recommend starting with 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper.
4. Add Sweet Potatoes & Simmer: Stir in the diced sweet potatoes and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, to coat them in the flavorful spiced meat mixture. Pour in the entire can of red enchilada sauce and the chicken broth. Bring the entire mixture to a rolling boil, then immediately reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the pot with a lid and let it simmer gently for about 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are perfectly fork-tender.
5. Finish & Serve: Finally, stir in the thoroughly drained and rinsed black beans and cook for just 1-2 minutes, allowing them to warm through completely. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning as needed – you might want a little more salt, pepper, or even a dash more chili powder for an extra kick. If the soup appears too thick for your liking, stir in a little more chicken broth or water until it reaches your desired consistency. Serve hot with your favorite toppings!

Elevate Your Bowl: Delicious Toppings for Beef Enchilada Soup

While this soup is undeniably delicious on its own, a thoughtful selection of fresh and creamy toppings can transform it from great to absolutely extraordinary, adding layers of texture and complementary flavors.

• Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese: A generous sprinkle of sharp cheddar cheese melting into the hot soup adds a creamy, tangy, and undeniably comforting dimension. A Mexican blend cheese or Monterey Jack also works wonderfully.
• Cool Sour Cream (or Greek Yogurt): A small, cooling dollop of full-fat sour cream or plain Greek yogurt provides a delightful creamy contrast to the rich, often spicy broth. Choose regular, light, or fat-free versions based on your preference.
• Crunchy Tortilla Chips or Strips: Crushed tortilla chips or crispy tortilla strips add a delightful textural crunch and extra element of fun, perfectly mimicking the experience of eating actual enchiladas.
• Creamy Avocado or Guacamole: Sliced fresh avocado or a spoonful of homemade guacamole introduces a rich, buttery texture and healthy fats, which beautifully balance the soup’s robust flavors.
• Fresh Cilantro: Finely chopped fresh cilantro adds a vibrant, fresh, and slightly citrusy burst of flavor, along with a beautiful pop of green color. If you’re not a fan of cilantro, fresh parsley is a great alternative.
• Zesty Lime Juice: A final squeeze of fresh lime juice just before serving is a game-changer. It brightens all the flavors in the soup, adding a necessary acidic counterpoint to the richness and spices.

Tip for Dietary Needs: For a completely dairy-free option, simply use creamy avocado and a generous squeeze of fresh lime juice as your toppings. To keep it lighter, opt for fat-free sour cream or plain Greek yogurt and plenty of zesty fresh lime juice.

Perfect Pairings: What to Serve with Beef Enchilada Soup

This hearty and satisfying soup can easily stand alone as a complete meal, but it also pairs wonderfully with a variety of complementary sides to enhance and complete your dining experience.

• Cheesy Quesadillas: Serve alongside simple cheese quesadillas or flavorful black bean quesadillas for an extra cheesy, comforting component that perfectly complements the Tex-Mex flavors of the soup.
• Fresh Green Salad: A light, crisp garden salad with a zesty vinaigrette provides a refreshing and palate-cleansing contrast to the richness of the enchilada soup.
• Roasted Vegetables: Enhance your meal with a side of perfectly roasted vegetables like tender broccoli, crisp asparagus, or caramelized Brussels sprouts for added nutrition and a delightful crunch.
• Quinoa or Rice: For an even more substantial and filling meal, offer a small serving of fluffy quinoa or steamed white or brown rice on the side, or stir it directly into your bowl for added texture and carbs.
• Warm Cornbread: A slice of warm, slightly sweet, and buttery cornbread is the ideal companion for soaking up every last drop of the delicious, rich broth.

Customize Your Spice Level

This Beef Enchilada Soup is designed to have a pleasant, mild kick that typically appeals to everyone, including younger palates. However, you have complete control to easily adjust the heat level to perfectly suit your family’s preferences:

• For Less Spice: To keep the heat to a minimum, ensure you use a mild red enchilada sauce. Also, opt for a mild chili powder (brands like McCormick® often specify “mild” versions). You can even slightly reduce the total amount of chili powder if you’re particularly sensitive to spice.
• For More Spice: If you crave a bolder, spicier experience, choose a medium or hot red enchilada sauce. You can also easily amp up the heat by adding a pinch (or more, to taste!) of cayenne pepper, a dash of your favorite hot sauce, or by finely dicing and sautéing a fresh jalapeño or serrano pepper along with the onion and red pepper.
• To Cool It Down: If you find the soup turns out spicier than you intended, don’t worry! Toppings are your best friend. A generous sprinkle of shredded cheese and a cooling dollop of sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt) are excellent at mellowing out intense heat. A fresh squeeze of lime juice can also work wonders in balancing and cutting through the spice.

Pro Tips for Making the Best Beef Enchilada Soup

Follow these expert tips and tricks to ensure your Beef Enchilada Soup turns out perfectly delicious every single time:

• Dice Evenly: For consistent cooking and an appealing texture, ensure your onions, red peppers, and especially sweet potatoes are diced into similar, small sizes (around 1/2 inch cubes). This prevents some pieces from being undercooked while others are mushy.
• Don’t Rush Browning: Allow the ground meat to get a good sear on the bottom of the pot before you start breaking it up completely. This crucial step develops rich, deep, caramelized flavors (the Maillard reaction) that will significantly enhance the entire soup.
• “Bloom” Your Spices: Cooking the dry spices with the meat and aromatics for a few minutes before adding any liquids helps to toast them, intensifying their flavor and releasing their full aromatic potential into the dish.
• Taste and Adjust: Always taste your soup before serving and at various stages of cooking. Seasoning is paramount! You might find it needs a little more salt, pepper, a dash of hot sauce, or a final squeeze of lime juice to truly make the flavors sing and achieve perfect balance.
• Quality Broth Matters: The type and quality of your chicken or beef broth will make a noticeable difference in the overall depth of flavor of your soup. Opt for a good quality brand, or homemade broth if possible.
• Customize Your Veggies: Feel free to get creative with your vegetables! Stir in some frozen or fresh corn, diced zucchini, a can of fire-roasted diced tomatoes (drained), or even some chopped carrots for added nutrition and personal preference.

More Delicious Ground Meat Recipes You’ll Love:

If you’re a fan of easy, flavorful, and versatile ground meat dishes, be sure to explore these other fantastic recipes from our collection:

• Green Chile Ground Turkey with a cheesy topping – a flavorful and comforting dish that’s quick to prepare.
• Ground Turkey Bowls with a spicy mayo sauce – perfect for quick, healthy, and customizable lunches or light dinners.
• Asian Ground Turkey with loads of fresh veggies – a vibrant and nutritious stir-fry alternative bursting with umami.
• Ground Turkey Stir Fry with cabbage and carrots – an incredibly easy and crunchy weeknight meal option.
• Turkey Picadillo with golden potatoes – a savory and hearty Cuban-inspired classic that’s rich in flavor.

Beef Enchilada Soup Recipe

Beef Enchilada Soup

By Chelsea Lords

Beef Enchilada Soup takes everything you love about classic enchiladas—savory seasoned ground beef, tender sweet potatoes, hearty black beans, and a rich, spiced broth—and transforms it into a robust, flavor-packed soup perfect for any day of the week.

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Equipment

• Large pot (6-quart recommended)

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups finely diced yellow onion (1 large onion)
• 1 finely diced red bell pepper
• 3 cups peeled and diced sweet potato (approximately 1 pound, or 2 medium potatoes)
• 1 pound lean ground beef or turkey (93/7 fat content recommended)
• 4 teaspoons minced garlic (about 4 cloves)
• 1 tablespoon ground chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon beef bouillon powder
• Salt and pepper (to taste, recommended 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper)
• 1 (10-ounce) can mild red enchilada sauce (see Recipe Note 1)
• 1 (15.5-ounce) can black beans, thoroughly drained and rinsed
• 3 cups chicken broth or stock (low-sodium preferred)
• Toppings as desired (see Recipe Note 2)

Instructions

1. Sauté Vegetables & Brown Meat: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the finely diced yellow onion and red bell pepper; sauté for 4-5 minutes until they soften and become translucent. Push the vegetables to the sides of the pot and add the ground meat to the center. Increase heat to high, allowing the meat to sear for a few minutes before crumbling and cooking through until mostly browned. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
2. Add Spices: Stir in the minced garlic, chili powder, ground cumin, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, dried oregano, and beef bouillon powder. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly, until the spices are very fragrant. Season generously with salt and pepper (start with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper).
3. Simmer to Tender Perfection: Stir in the diced sweet potatoes and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly to coat them in the spice and meat mixture. Pour in the entire can of red enchilada sauce and the 3 cups of chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the pot and let it simmer gently for about 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until the sweet potatoes are perfectly fork-tender.
4. Finish & Serve: Stir in the drained and rinsed black beans and cook for 1-2 minutes, just until they are thoroughly warmed through. If you desire, stir in fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice at this point. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning as needed. If the soup is too thick for your preference, stir in a little more broth or water until it reaches your desired consistency. Serve hot with your favorite delicious toppings.

Recipe Notes

• Note 1: Enchilada Sauce Choice: We highly recommend using Old El Paso® mild red enchilada sauce for a balanced flavor with a pleasant, subtle kick. If you prefer a spicier soup, feel free to substitute with a medium or hot enchilada sauce.
• Note 2: Topping Suggestions: Elevate your soup with a variety of toppings! Consider ripe avocado slices or a spoonful of fresh guacamole, a cooling dollop of sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt), crispy crushed tortilla chips or strips for added crunch, and/or a sprinkle of shredded cheese. Freshly chopped cilantro and a wedge of lime for squeezing are also highly recommended for a vibrant finish.
• Storage Guidelines: Allow the Beef Enchilada Soup to cool completely to room temperature. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, the soup can be frozen in a sealed, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. To reheat, warm gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, or in the microwave in short bursts, stirring between. If the soup has thickened upon sitting, stir in a little extra broth when reheating to achieve your preferred consistency.

Nutrition Information

Please note that the nutrition information provided is an approximation and can vary significantly based on the exact ingredients used, brand variations, and precise portion sizes. This is for informational purposes only.

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 507 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 61g
• Protein: 36g
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g
• Monounsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0.1g
• Cholesterol: 87mg
• Sodium: 1440mg
• Potassium: 1204mg
• Fiber: 16g
• Sugar: 14g
• Vitamin A: 16850 IU
• Vitamin C: 47mg
• Calcium: 119mg
• Iron: 6mg