How To Make Ground Venison Taco Soup: Quick & Easy

Hey friends, let’s talk about something quick, hearty, and packed with flavor—Ground Venison Taco Soup. This is one of my favorite ways to use ground venison because it comes together in no time and is delicious.

It’s warm, comforting, and completely customizable with all your favorite toppings. Perfect for a busy weeknight or when you just want something satisfying without a lot of effort. It’s easy and just plain good. 

Why We Love Ground Venison

Ground venison is a staple in our kitchen. If you have a freezer full of deer meat, you know what I mean. It’s lean, it’s clean, and it’s free from added hormones and preservatives. That’s hard to beat.
1. Lean & Healthy – Venison is naturally low in fat. You get all the protein without the grease. That means no draining after browning, which makes cooking even easier.
2. Clean & Natural – No fillers, no additives, just pure meat. If you’re looking for a whole-food approach to meals, venison is a great choice.
3. Ethically Sourced – When you harvest your own deer, you know exactly where your meat comes from. There’s something special about processing it yourself, storing it in your freezer, and then bringing it to the table.

How to Make Ground Venison Taco Soup

This soup comes together in just a few steps. You’ll need:

• 1 lb ground venison (you can substitute ground beef or ground turkey if you don’t have deer meat)
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 (14.5 oz) cans fire-roasted tomatoes
• 1 (15 oz) can chili beans
• 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
• 1 (4 oz) can diced green chilies
• 1 small bag frozen corn
• 2 packets taco seasoning (homemade taco seasoning would be great in this recipe)
• 2-3 cups beef broth (you can use a mixture of chicken broth and beef stock as well)
• 1-2 tsp. sea salt (add more to taste)
• 1 tsp. black pepper (add more to taste)

Instructions for Making Ground Venison Taco Soup:

1. Brown the ground venison and chopped onion in a large pot or a large dutch oven over medium heat. No need to drain. Venison is lean ground meat, so it won’t leave a greasy mess. You can add in a couple tablespoons of olive oil for added fat if you want. 
2. Stir in the garlic and cook for about a minute.
3. Add the fire-roasted tomatoes, chili beans, black beans, tomato paste, green chilies, and frozen corn. Basically, the rest of the soup ingredients. There really isn’t a special order for adding them in. 
4. Sprinkle in the taco seasoning and pour in the beef broth. Stir well to combine.
5. Let it cook over medium heat until heated through. That’s it!

Make It Your Own: Venison Taco Soup Recipe

Now comes the fun part—toppings! This is where you can really make this soup fit your tastes. Here are some of our favorites:

• Shredded Mexican cheese
• Sour cream
• Chopped avocado or diced red onion
•  Fresh cilantro
• Corn chips, Popcorners Spicy Queso Chips (a healthier, crunchy alternative!), tortilla chips, or tortilla strips. 

Mix and match to your heart’s content. Some people even throw in a squeeze of lime juice for extra freshness. This cozy soup will make a fun addition to taco Tuesday. 

Crock Pot Option

Brown the meat and onion. Then, toss in the rest of the ingredients into the slow cooker. Cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. This is a great way to have dinner ready for you when you get home from being out for the afternoon.

Leftovers: Lucky!

Store leftovers from this hearty meal in an airtight container. This is a great soup to use for meal prep and has an amazing flavor that gets even better the next day. 

You Might Have Some Questions About the Following

General Venison Questions

Is venison good for soup?
Absolutely! Venison makes a fantastic base for soups. Its delicious flavor pairs well with a variety of vegetables, spices, and broths. Whether you’re making a hearty stew, a classic vegetable soup, or this flavorful taco soup, venison adds depth without being overpowering.

How do you make deer meat taste like hamburger?
While venison won’t taste exactly like beef, it has its own deliciously lean and clean flavor. The key is not to drain it—since venison is naturally low in fat, there’s no excess grease to remove. You can use it as a direct substitute for ground beef in just about any recipe, from tacos to casseroles to chili. Be strategic is grilling hamburgers with it because it is so lean. You can mix in a bit of beef with the ground venison to fatten it up a bit if you want to. 

Can I use venison instead of beef?
Yes! We substitute venison for beef in nearly all of our recipes. The biggest thing to remember is that venison is much leaner, so unlike beef, you don’t need to drain it. It cooks up beautifully and brings a rich, clean flavor to any dish.

General Taco Soup Questions

How do you thicken taco soup?
If you prefer a thicker soup, mix a small amount of cornstarch with cold water and stir it into the pot while simmering. Another option is to use slightly less broth when cooking, adjusting the liquid until you reach your desired consistency.

Why is my taco soup so watery?
This usually happens if too much broth or liquid is added. Next time, try pouring in a little at a time, stirring as you go, until you get the consistency you like.

How do you reduce the spice in taco soup?
If you’re worried about heat, start with a smaller amount of taco seasoning and gradually add more to taste. You can always mix in more, but you can’t take it out once it’s in! If you’ve already added too much spice, try balancing it out with a dollop of sour cream or a little extra broth.

More Venison Recipes to Love

If you’re in the mood for more bold and hearty dishes, you might enjoy my Deer Steak Carne Asada Bowls for a unique take on steak night, or if you’re looking for a one-pan dish, try my Loaded Ground Venison Nachos—quick and easy. And of course, if you love a good stew, a chunky chili loaded with veggies might be just what you’re craving. 

Let me know in the comments below what your favorite taco night dish is or what some of your favorite taco soup recipes are. There are so many options out there and I tend to be a fan of them all!