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Low Calorie Turkey Taco Soup - Cozy, Flavorful, and Weeknight-Easy

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (or avocado oil)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced (optional but recommended)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pound lean ground turkey (93% or 99% lean)
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles, mild or hot
  • 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans or kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 (15-ounce) can corn, drained (or 1 1/2 cups frozen corn)
  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • Juice of 1 lime, plus extra wedges for serving
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped (for serving)
  • Optional toppings: sliced jalapeño, diced avocado, Greek yogurt or light sour cream, shredded reduced-fat cheese, baked tortilla strips

Method
 

  1. Warm the pot: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper. Sauté 4–5 minutes until softened.
  2. Add garlic and turkey: Stir in garlic for 30 seconds. Add ground turkey and cook, breaking it into crumbles, until no longer pink, about 5–7 minutes.
  3. Season generously: Sprinkle in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, coriander (if using), salt, and black pepper. Stir and cook 1 minute to bloom the spices.
  4. Build the soup base: Add green chiles, black beans, pinto beans, corn, diced tomatoes, broth, and tomato paste. Stir well to dissolve the paste.
  5. Simmer: Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until flavors meld.
  6. Finish with lime: Stir in lime juice. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or spices as needed.
  7. Serve and top: Ladle into bowls and top with cilantro and your favorite garnishes. Keep toppings light to maintain the low-calorie profile.