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.
Rachel @ Bakerita says
This looks so easy and so delicious!! Recipes like this are perfect for the cold winter when you just want a warm meal with little effort 🙂
Beth @ bethcakes says
Oh, this looks so good! It’s rainy and dark out today and I just want a big bowl of this for lunch.
Pam says
What a great idea! This soup looks quick, easy, and so delicious!
Shashi @ http://runninsrilankan.com says
Opening cans and dumping into a pot is my kind of dinner on a busy night – and this would be so much better than leftovers!
Prudy @butter, basil, and breadcrumbs says
I can totally relate… lol. Love this. The soup looks fabulous. I love the fact that this is quick and easy….especially after a long day at work! So perfect for these cold winter days!! <3
Meghan @ Spoonful of Flour says
I am loving all of the flavors in this soup- easy and delicious!
Mary Frances @ The Sweet {Tooth} Life says
I cannot tell you how much I understand this post. Going through the fridge with someone and can’t deciding what to eat? Check. Too lazy for the slow cooker? Check. Wanting fast and healthy soups? Check! Definitely pinning and trying this one!
Dan from Platter Talk says
Pamela,
Great looking soup, and such an appetizing idea with the cold weather here. Great post my friend!!
Kim (Feed Me, Seymour) says
I always have room on my menu for a 20 minute meal. One that looks this great?! Even better!
Shawn @ Fruity 'N' Nutty says
Love the GIF, how did you make it? This dish looks amazing, getting kinda hungry right now even though I just ate. I often find myself reaching for chocolate and cookies when I’m starving too. 😛 Thankfully, I don’t have to do the cooking, just one of the many perks of living at home. 🙂
Robyn @simply fresh dinners says
Wow, Pam, this looks fantastic and I love it that there are no preservatives.
I’m all about quick and easy too, especially when everyone’s tummy is rumbling, lol.
Thanks for the tip!
Monet says
This is exactly what I need! We’re supposed to get a deep freeze at the end of the week (temps will reach 15 degrees…for a high!) so soup and stews must happen. Thank you for sharing! Here’s to a wonderful first week of December!
M @ Onthesamepage says
This season is so perfect for the quick soups and stews!!! This looks delicious… like how the tamales are like another form of “dumplings” in a soup… thanks for sharing!
jackie @ Marin mama cooks says
Oh girl! I’m so much like you when I get home from a long day. I get home, put on my sweats and slide my feet into my slippers, it’s total comfort mode. My kids are now following my footsteps and getting into their jammies before dinner. We’re all so lame 🙂 I hate the nightly “what’s for dinner” question. It’s no fun especially when you’re starving and can’t run out to the grocery store. On nights like that I sometimes just have a bowl of cereal! 🙂 xoxo, Jackie
Von says
Haha…..I always get that indecision when I’m planning what to make for dinner- there’s always too many things I want to make but when it comes time to make them, unless I’ve planned ahead, it seems like it requires too much effort!! Your soup looks easy and delicious! 🙂
kimmythevegan says
Ahahaha I love the rainbow pajama pants and bars of chocolate ;p Too funny!
marcie says
This soup is a breath of fresh air after all the turkey! I’m ready for some Mexican food.
Kelly @ hidden fruits and veggies says
Oh man, I wish they had vegetarian canned tamales. I love tamales so much and would definitely be all over this soup! I’m all too familiar with the hangry, need dinner now, post-work meltdowns.
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
I love soup for a quick and easy dinner and this tamale taco soup looks perfect! I head right for the chocolate as soon as I get home too 🙂
Bam's Kitchen says
I completely understand those I do not feel like cooking days and this great tamale soup is one way to avoid the hectic kitchen aftermath with some easy ingredients from our pantry. Looks delicious and love that first photo with your soup dripping. How did you do that? Take Care, BAM
Consuelo @ Honey & Figs says
Ok,I’ve been needing more meals like this these past few days, because finals and stuff have me laying on the floor crying because there’s no dinner 🙁 I cannot wait to try this one, it sounds fabulous! 😉
Davida @ The Healthy Maven says
I need more meals like these. Calling hungry Davs irritable would be an understatement! Love the GIF 🙂
Laura @ Lauras Baking Talent says
Definitely going to have to check out these tamales. Totally have those nights when I’m exhausted from work and looking for an easy dinner .
Kumar's Kitchen says
such a glorious and warm bowl of soup…love the ease of preparing it,its vibrant color and delectable flavors…absolutely comforting,thanks for sharing 🙂
amy @ fearless homemaker says
I am VERY intrigued by these tamales in a can, especially with the non-weird ingredient list. And this soup sounds SO good. I had chicken tortilla soup for lunch – a tasty relative of this soup. =)
Shundara@SavyNaturalista says
Tamales in a can yummy!!! and on 340 calories I am in heaven 🙂 I love the soup so rich and yummy 🙂
Kelly says
Love the flavors of this soup Pamela! What a perfect way to warm up especially after a chilly day spend outside. Hehe, love that first gif, makes me want to grab a spoon and dig in:)
Denise Browning@From Brazil To You says
This tamale taco soup is new for me…I’d love to try it! The picture with the soup dripping from the spoon made me smile! Great job, Pamela! Pinned!
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
Such a warming and comforting treat!
John@Kitchen Riffs says
I haven’t had a Hormel beef tamale in years! This is a great way to use them – this is a totally fun soup, and a tasty one too, I’ll bet. We can be pretty indecisive about dinner, too – usually on those days we raid our freezer for something. 🙂 Fun recipe – thanks.