Creamy tamale soup using canned beef tamales and black beans. This makes a hearty taco soup on the stove in 20 minutes. Save this recipe when you need a quick dinner on the table to warm you up! Don’t have canned tamales? You can use frozen tamales too!
Tamale Soup Recipe
This Tamale Soup is a simple hearty recipe, filled with beef tamales and black beans in a (little bit) spicy broth made with chicken broth and tomato paste.
Sometimes you just need a meal where you open up cans, dump them into a pot, simmer for 20 minutes and then you sit at the dinner table and eat it in about 2 minutes because you are that hungry. So that’s why I love this Tamale Soup!
Even though this recipe calls for canned tamales, you can also use frozen tamales if you have them in your freezer and not sure sure what to do with them! Defrost the tamales, remove the husks/paper and then proceed with the recipe!
Looking for more Mexican soup recipes? Also try my Chicken Tortilla Soup and Crockpot Taco Soup!
Ingredients for Tamale Soup
- Canned Beef Tamales in Chili Sauce, I use Hormel brand.
- Canned Black Beans, don’t drain them!
- Canned Diced Tomatoes, I use Ro*Tel tomatoes with diced green chiles to add some spice but if you don’t want it spicy at all use regular diced tomatoes.
- Tomato paste and chicken broth, stirred together makes a creamy soup broth.
- Frozen Corn, or canned corn works.
- Taco Seasoning, for flavor and ease.
How to Make Tamale Soup on the Stove
First we need to prepare the tamales. When you open up the can of tamales, you will see they are still in their paper wrapper.
Remove each tamale from the can and remove the wrapper (throw them away).
And then cut each tamale into quarters.
Add the beef tamales, along with black beans, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken broth, frozen corn and taco seasoning in a medium sized saucepan.
Stir to mix together, bring to a low boil and then simmer for 20 minutes, stirring fairly often.
Serve in bowls. Eat it as is, or add your favorite toppings (like shredded cheese, slices of avocado, cilantro, tortilla chips, etc) and enjoy!
Storing Leftovers and Freezing
Store leftover soup in the refrigerator in an airtight container, good for up to 4 days. You can also freeze this for meal prep! Allow to cool down and then freeze in freezer bags, good in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Pin for later:
Tamale Soup With Black Beans
PrintIngredients
- (2) 15 ounce cans beef tamales in chili sauce (I use Hormel)
- (1) 15 ounce can black beans (don't drain them!)
- (1) 10 ounce can diced tomatoes with green chiles (I use Ro*Tel) (don't drain them), see note 1
- (1) 6 ounce can tomato paste
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 package taco seasoning
- topping ideas: shredded cheese, sliced avocado, fresh cilantro optional
Instructions
- Open the can of beef tamales and remove the paper wrapper on each tamale (throw away the wrappers). Cut each tamale up into quarters.
- In a small soup pot mix together cut up beef tamales, black beans, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken broth, corn and taco seasoning.
- Bring to a low boil and then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring often.
- Ladle into bowls, serve and enjoy! Optional: Add shredded cheese, sliced avocado or fresh cilantro on top.
Lori Johnson says
We loved this soup. Will definitely make it again. I thought the broth was delicious!!! Thank you for sharing, have a blessed day.
Pamela Reed says
Thank you Lori, so happy to hear you liked this soup – thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Carol says
Our mom was a wonderful cook – almost everything from scratch except for tamales. She bought them in a can & we enjoyed eating them. That was many years ago, however maybe these Hormel ones are still available. If so I will be making this soup. If not, I may make it with tamales in a package.
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says
Oh yum! I love tamales, so I’m sure I would totally rock this soup! Love it! Pinning!
Julie @ Table for Two says
Ha! I totally dig that gif – so fun!!! I should start trying to do it too. Such a nice visual! This taco soup looks so comforting and has got so much great flavor in it!
Debra says
We can buy these great frozen tamales… But th brand escapes me. Soup is always a great go-to meal.
Amy @ Elephant Eats says
So great that you’ve been so busy with work! And I’m super jealous that you get to work with a partner you love so much 🙂 Haha, deciding what’s for dinner is the worst!!! I always ask Nate for ideas and he never has any, ugh! This soup sounds so delicious and perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
Samina | The Cupcake Confession says
Ahhhhhh now these are the kind of meals I would enjoy every single day of my life! Talk about feeling irritated when hungry! I too have fits of rage every so often when I am starving and there’s nothing good to eat! But this soup solves my problem! This is just toooooo good! Love it!
Anne ~ Uni Homemaker says
I hate the feeling of not having dinner plans or knowing what’s for dinner. When I used to have an office job, that was always the question of the day… “what do you want for dinner?” Most of the time, Chris and I ended up buying take-outs or eating frozen food. I hate those nights… I do however love this soup! And love the simplicity of it. It’s a total easy weeknight dinner. Love it Pamela!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
Holy cow that’s a gorgeous soup. I don’t know if we can get tamales in a can but if I can find them here in Australia, this soup is mine!
Suzanne says
Delicious soup! I have never seen a can of tamales. Sounds easy to make, love that and really tasty.
Ruby @ The Ruby Red Apron says
I had no idea those tamales in a can were edible?! LOL Thanks for letting us know they’re safe… now I am intrigued. This looks super comforting and delicious!
Sarah & Arkadi says
We hardly make Mexican dishes at home. I think this recipe will inspire us! Thanks!
Monica says
I’ve been making soup constantly this Fall/Winter and loving it. And I’m all about smart shortcuts and your tamales definitely fit that! Great find.
Lidia says
I get those days A LOT! This ready-made soup in 20 minutes is genius! And what gorgeous colours. That deep red with the green cilantro… beautiful Pamela! I will definitely try this.
Liz says
There’s nothing better than a soup with a hit of spice on a chilly evening! Yours looks terrific!
ashley - baker by nature says
All I really want in life these days is SOUP SOUP SOUP! This tamale version looks wonderful!
Ashley says
haha being hungry definitely makes me super cranky. My husband too : ) I love quick dinners like this one – so perfect for this time of the year when things get completely crazy!
Chris @ Shared Appetite says
This is totally perfect for weeknight dinner! My wife and I are the same way. “What’s for dinner?” typically ends with a quick trip for take-out. I’ve never heard of the Hormel beef tamale but I’m going to search it out now… I need this soup in my life immediately!
yummychunklet says
Love the sound of this soup!
The Squishy Monster says
I’ve never heard of those tamales but now I’ll be on the look out, thanks for the suggestion girl!!