Join us on an educational adventure through each state in the USA! Each post in this series focuses on one state, and includes a regional recipe from that state. This is a fun way to get your kids involved in cooking, as well as learn a bit about United States geography! The post also includes a link to the featured state’s website, where you can learn more about the state. We also include free forms that you can download and print to use along the journey. Geography has never been so delicious!

Make sure to check back each week for the next post!

Did you know that New Mexico is the leader in the United States in producing chili peppers? As a matter of fact, New Mexico grows over 200 different varieties!

This recipe uses those delicious chili peppers in a soup that kids will love.

NEW MEXICO Taco Soup

What You Will Need:

• 1 small Onion


• Vegetable Oil Cooking Spray


• 1 pound Lean Ground Beef, Ground Chicken, or Ground Turkey


• 1 16-ounce can Tomato Juice


• 1 16-ounce can Kidney Beans (do not drain)


• 1 8-ounce bottle Chili Sauce


• 1 17-ounce can Whole Kernel Corn (do not drain)


• 2 teaspoons Chili Powder


• 8 tablespoons Sour Cream

What You Do:

• Remove outer skin from onion, and chop onion into small pieces.


• Spray a frying pan with vegetable oil cooking spray and heat the pan over low heat.


• Add onions to the frying pan, then add ground meat or poultry, stirring while the meat and onions cook. Make sure to break up large chunks of meat while stirring. Cook until meat is browned.


• Drain excess fat from the meat. (A colander works well for this).


• Put the drained meat into a saucepan, then add tomato juice, beans, chili sauce, corn, and chili powder.


• Bring mixture to a boil over high heat, then simmer on low heat for 45 minutes.


• When the soup is done, serve it in soup bowls and add 1 tablespoon sour cream to each serving.


• Serve with corn chips, if desired.

New Mexico State Information – Click this link to learn more about New Mexico attractions, activities, and to request free brochures, maps, and so much more!

US Geography Journal Pages – Use these journal pages to create a geography journal as you collect information about each state.

New Mexico Outline Map – Use this state map to label capitals, major rivers and lakes, and other areas of interest. Draw a star on the place you would most like to visit in this state!

United States Outline Map – Use this USA map to track your journey as you “eat your way across the USA”! Color in each state that you’ve tried one of recipes for.

• The United States Cook Book – Take a Tasty Tour of America’s 50 States, and learn a lot of United States geography along the way! (PLEASE NOTE: The recipe featured above is included in this book.)


• US History Cook Book – Serve up a heaping lesson of history with delicious recipes from our nation’s past… from the pilgrims’ first feast to today’s high-tech, low-fat fare.


• Maps of the United States – This reproducible book contains geopolitical maps of each of the fifty states; political maps of the six regions; and political, physical, and thematic maps of the United States. You’ll also find fun facts, geography bee-type questions, and review pages.


• DK State-by-State Atlas – More than an atlas, this book shows and tells young geographers who, what, when, where, and why.


• The Geography Book – From finding directions by the stars, to mapping your neighborhood, to making an earthquake in a box, you’ll have a great time learning about the world with The Geography Book.


• Professor Noggins USA Geography Game – From rural farming communities to urban cities, from snow-capped mountains to tropical islands, this game covers both the natural and political geography of the United States. Learn about the states, cities, and natural geographical wonders that make this country such an interesting place to visit.


• State by State Card Game – Learning about United States geography is made fun and memorable with this unique deck of cards!


• GeoPuzzle USA Puzzle – GeoPuzzles provide a hands-on approach to learning geography.

Make sure to check back next week for the next state in this series!

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