Give up ingredients, but don't give up awesomeness
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Taco soup has been a staple my entire life. My mom made it growing up. Unfortunately, she’d use a taco seasoning packet that had wheat in it, so for a long time, we went without.
I was so glad when I discovered an easy, but DELICIOUS homemade taco seasoning mix that really gives this taco soup a pop. It’s more spice than I’ve ever had in the typical taco soup (take that pre-made packets!), so now I don’t know that I could eat anyone else’s–they might seem too bland. But, don’t worry it’s not too powerful, as I’m quite a baby.
Another trick that sets this allergy-friendly taco soup apart is that it uses brown sugar–which matches the spices and gives it a perfect sweet heat combo.
And lastly, since my son is allergic to beef, we do not use red meat. With all of the recalls on hamburger, I am often glad we don’t eat it anymore. So, we use ground chicken instead for a leaner cut of meat. It still has that same ground texture, and with all of the seasoning you’d never know it wasn’t hamburger. It’s a pretty magical substitute.
OK, I lied–there is one more trick up my sleeve to make this the best taco soup yet. I use an entire Tablespoon of minced garlic. I know this might seem like overkill, but it really isn’t and matches the potency of the spices to give it a well-rounded flavor.
Before I take all the credit, I have to say I got these tweaks from my best friend, Alicia. She is such a wonderful cook. And, that’s saying something since growing up her mom made maybe three recipes over and over. She is self taught and makes so many wonderful recipes for her family. I love it since it goes to show you don’t have to have this great background and that you can teach yourself how to cook.
Another reason I love her so much and am basically writing a love letter to her with this recipe is because we eat together a lot…and she has ALWAYS made things safe for my son. She doesn’t wait for me to think of ideas, but she is proactive and reads labels, checks things with me and always adapts things so that he is included. Her house is one of the few I go to without any reservations and I’m not nervous at all because I trust her completely. She is so thoughtful and loves my son like he’s her own. I am so fortunate to have her. Every allergy mom needs an Alicia in their life.
Taco soup is such a great and easy dinner that takes less than 30 minutes to make and is so filling and leaves lots for leftovers. If you’re looking for a great side dish to have with it try my The Best Top 8 Free Cornbread.
If you’ve had taco soup before, give this new one a try and it’ll bring back a childhood classic for you like it did me, with some extra enhancements and twists! Enjoy my Allergy-friendly Taco Soup and be sure to share it with your other allergy moms!
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If you’re looking for other allergy-friendly, taco-inspired dishes, check these out:
Chicken Enchilada Pasta (Gluten, dairy, egg, soy, peanut & tree nut free; top-8-free)
Slow Cooker Green Chile Enchilada Pasta (Gluten, dairy, egg, peanut & tree nut free)
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A spicy, comforting soup full of sausage and veggies to warm you up this winter. This can also be made in either your instant pot or slow cooker (with instructions for both!). This soup is also free of: gluten, dairy, egg, soy, peanuts and tree nuts and is top-8-free!
I am a firm believer that one can never have too many soup recipes. As you’ve seen from my collection of other allergy-friendly soups, I need to have soup several times a week to get me through the winter. And, this winter has been especially long and snowy in Utah (insert all sorts of grumbling and moaning). #whydoIstilllivehere
I love Italian sausage in pasta, so I knew that it’s unique boost of flavors would also benefit a soup. My kids love potatoes, and throw in some carrots and you have yourself a hearty soup. Feel free to adjust the amounts of vegetables too–if your family likes more or less.
Another thing that’s fantastic about this soup is that there’s two ways to make it–depending on your preferred method, what kitchen tools you have and how much time you have. I’ve made it both ways and loved it. I can’t even say I have a preference. Well, I guess that’s not true–I don’t have a preference in the end results. But, I’m kind of in love with not having to let something cook all day. I love having a done soup, in less than 45 minutes, with the Instant Pot, since I always forget to put things in the slow cooker. (Don’t worry–this isn’t sponsored!)
Plus, I don’t know about you and your family–but we have been battling cold after cold here! In fact, my son and I even had influenza. Talk about no bueno. For some reason, soups with a rich broth, like this, just make me feel so much better when I’m ill. I think part of why we’ve been sick so often, is because my oldest is in school, catches everything–and then brings it home to us. Hoping all of our immune systems get used to the school germs in the years to come so we don’t get so wiped out every winter. Hope you all are faring better than we have been. If not, and you’re sick–and you need an easy dinner–this will come in handy.
May your soups be comforting, your winters be short and sickness-free. If not, know you have lots of love and empathy from me. Let’s keep slurping up good soups and all hold out until Spring!
Adapted from: Whole Food Bellies
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