Shrimp Taco Soup
Shrimp Taco Soup is a bold and flavorful comfort meal combining succulent shrimp, fresh vegetables, and classic taco spices simmered into a warm, hearty soup. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners, it balances spicy, tangy, and savory notes with lean protein and vibrant ingredients for a nutritious, cozy bowl.
- Author: Barbara
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Gluten Free
Shrimp
- 1 lb fresh or frozen peeled shrimp
Vegetables
- 1 cup diced bell peppers
- 1 cup diced onions
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt, to taste
Liquids
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
Optional Additions
- 1 cup beans (such as black beans or pinto beans)
- 1 cup corn kernels
- Fresh lime juice (from 1 lime)
- Prepare the base: Sauté onions, bell peppers, and garlic in a bit of oil over medium heat until soft and fragrant, creating the flavor foundation for your soup.
- Add spices and liquids: Sprinkle in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and salt. Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth along with diced tomatoes, then bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Incorporate the shrimp: Add peeled shrimp into the simmering soup and cook just until they turn pink and tender, about 2-4 minutes.
- Enhance with extras: Stir in optional ingredients like beans, corn, or chopped cilantro. Let everything meld together for a few more minutes.
- Finish with lime juice and seasoning: Remove the soup from heat and stir in freshly squeezed lime juice to brighten the flavors. Adjust salt and pepper to taste before serving.
Notes
- Don’t overcook shrimp: add shrimp near the end to keep it tender and juicy.
- Use fresh spices for better flavor depth.
- Adjust heat level by varying chili powder or adding fresh chilies.
- Allow soup to rest a few minutes after cooking to develop flavors.
- Top with avocado, cilantro, or crushed tortilla chips for extra texture and flavor.
- Leftover soup keeps in the refrigerator up to three days in an airtight container.
- Freeze the soup base without shrimp; add fresh shrimp when reheating.
- Reheat gently on the stove, adding broth or water if thickened; add shrimp last.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 190 mg
Keywords: shrimp taco soup, taco soup, shrimp soup, Mexican soup, quick dinner, spicy soup, gluten free soup, seafood soup, easy weeknight meal