So, one of my most popular recipes has to be my Healthified Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup, which also happens to be a family favorite and has been for many years now. With that being said, I decided to make something similar, but more with the flavors of another favorite; tacos! This Healthified Crock Pot Turkey Taco Soup is going to knock your socks off with it's amazing flavors, even if it wasn't really what I had planned on making today.

Yep! Even I have fails in the kitchen still. My original recipe for today turned out to be a flop. Literally. It flopped straight over into the trash. I don't know what's wrong with me lately! My brain just can't seem to get things going quite as well as it usually does. It feels like I'm on auto pilot. I could blame that on the craziness of the holidays or... that it's a particularly hard time of the year for me, as I think it is for a lot of other people too.

Food always makes me feel better. Even if it takes me twice as long to get things accomplished in the kitchen right now. I have to say this soup is hearty, comforting, and spicy enough to get you out of almost any rut you might be in. I mean... look at those gorgeous colors there. How could you look at that party in a bowl and be upset? You can't!

I basically lightened this soup up by using extra lean ground turkey for the meat, and my own homemade spices (though purchasing reduced sodium and salt-free packaged spices will work just as well!) I also loaded this soup up with plenty of vegetables and a variety of beans - to the point that it's almost thick enough to be a chili, which I'm not at all mad at.

I know that I don't always get into my personal life and I definitely don't like to speak of anything negative around here, but I feel it's sometimes needed when it comes to healing and/or trying to help others. A year ago tomorrow, I lost a very close friend of mine from high school to suicide. He was an amazing, beautiful, bright soul that the world just wasn't ready for. Even saying that now knocks the wind straight out of me as if I'm hearing the news all over again for the first time.

I've heard it said before that there is no such thing as a self-made man, and that we are all a culmination of everyone we've crossed paths with in our lives. I know that my friend helped to shape me and make me into the person that I am today, and with that he will live on through me and all of his other amazing friends and family.

If you or anyone you know needs help, don't hesitate! There are some great resources out there.

Healthified Crock Pot Turkey Taco Soup
TheSkinnyFork.com

The Skinny:
Servings: 6 • Size: About 1 1/2 Cups • Calories: 264.7 • Fat: 2.8 g • Saturated Fat: 0.7 • Carb: 33.8 g • Fiber: 11 g • Protein: 27.5 g • Sugar: 10 g • Sodium: 716.7 mg

Ingredients:
1 Lb. Extra Lean Ground Turkey
2 C. Unsalted Chicken Broth or Stock
1 (14.5 Oz.) Can 'No Salt Added' Corn
1 (10 Oz.) Can 'No Salt Added' Diced Tomatoes & Green Chiles (RO*TEL)
1 (14.5 Oz.) Can 'No Salt Added' Diced Tomatoes
1 (14.5 Oz.) Can Reduced Sodium Kidney Beans
1 (14.5 Oz.) Can Reduced Sodium Pinto Beans
2 Tbsp. Taco Seasoning or 1 (1 Oz.) Pkg. Low Sodium Store Bought
1 Tbsp. Dry Ranch Mix or 1 (0.74 Oz.) Pkg. Dry Greek Ranch Dressing Mix

Directions:

In a large skillet, brown the meat over a medium-high heat. Once nearly done, add in 1 Tbsp. of the taco seasoning; set aside.

In the bottom of a slow cooker, stir together the 2 C. Chicken Broth, 1 (14.5 Oz.) Can 'No Salt Added' Corn, 1 (10 Oz.) Can 'No Salt Added' Diced Tomatoes & Green Chiles, 1 (14.5 Oz.) Can Diced Tomatoes, 1 (14.5 Oz.) Can Kidney Beans, 1 (14.5 Oz.) Can Pinto Beans
remaining 1 Tbsp. Taco Seasoning, and 1 Tbsp. Dry Ranch Mix.

Add the cooked turkey to the crock pot and stir again to combine.

Cover and cook on high for 4-6 hours or on low for 6-8 hours.

Once ready to eat, serve right away with your favorite taco toppings!

I went with reduced fat shredded cheddar, plain fat free greek yogurt, and green onions.