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Taco Soup ($.48 per cup serving)

Taco Soup ($.48 per cup serving)
Our love of taco soup started while my husband and I were in graduate school.  We didn’t
have a lot of money and longed for a yummy dinner on a budget. Our local utility company
would send out different recipes each month with the bill.  (Original Recipe in picture) Our
taco soup recipe is a modification of the recipe we received in the mall so many years ago
and we still enjoy it today.

                               

Ingredients:
1 lb. Ground Turkey or Beef
1 Large Onion Chopped
1 pint jar (15 oz) crushed tomatoes
1 package of Taco Seasoning (1-2 Tbsp. homemade)
1 15 oz can of Corn
2 15 oz cans of Red Kidney Beans
1 15 oz can of Black Beans
2 cups of Water
Salt and Pepper
Hot Sauce (Optional)


Directions:
1. Saute ground turkey and onions, drain.


2. Combine remaining ingredients in a crock pot.


3. Add turkey and onions once cooked and drained.

4. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 2 hours


5. Serve with grated cheese, sour cream and tortilla chips.  
Makes 8-10 servings
Cost Breakdown:
Strategic Shopping
1 lb. Ground Turkey or Beef= $1.00
1 Large Onion Chopped- 3 lb for $.99= $.20
1 pint jar (15 oz) crushed tomatoes- Free from Garden
1 package of Taco Seasoning (1-2 Tbsp. homemade)= $.39
1 15 oz can of Corn= $.55
2 15 oz cans of Red Kidney Beans- $.55 each= $1.10
1 15 oz can of Black Beans= $.55
3 cups of Water= Free
Salt and Pepper= Guestamate at $.02
Hot Sauce (Optional)= From Garden, price varies according to use.


Total Recipe Cost = $3.81
Cost Per 1 cup Serving = $.48
NOTE- Price will decrease if you make your own taco seasoning, but I didn’t calculate the
price of a batch.  The next time I make taco seasoning I will post and update this post.


Regular Shopping
1 lb. Ground Turkey or Beef = $1.99
1 Large Onion Chopped- 3 lb for $1.99 = $.40
1 pint jar (15 oz) crushed tomatoes=  $. 50
1 package of Taco Seasoning (1-2 Tbsp. homemade)= $.39
1 15 oz can of Corn= $.59
2 15 oz cans of Red Kidney Beans- $.59 each= $1.18
1 15 oz can of Black Beans= $.59
2 cups of Water= Free
Salt and Pepper= Guestamate at $.02
Hot Sauce (Optional)= $.99 (12 oz), price varies according to use.


Total Recipe Cost = $5.66
Cost Per 1 cup Serving = $.71
The Contender: Although I didn’t find a soup labeled Taco Soup, I did find Chicken Tortilla
Soup which is very similar so here are the numbers.
On The Border= $.4.69
El Vaquero Mexican Restaurant= $3.99
Las Margaritas= $3.99


Savings:
Strategic Shopping= 88%
Regular Shopping= 82%
"Over a Year" Scenario:
Strategic Shopping
Pot of Homemade Taco Soup made 10 times= $38.10
Use equivalent cheapest restaurant @ $3.99 per cup serving
Batch = $31.92 and year cost = $319.20
*Money Saved = $281.10
General Shopping
Pot of Homemade Taco Soup made 10 times= $56.60
Use equivalent cheapest restaurant @ $3.99 per cup serving
Batch = $31.92 and year cost = $319.20

*Money Saved = $262.60

What is your favorite kind of soup to make on a cold winter's night.
Leave a comment below.
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