Start by heating a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add your ground beef or turkey and cook until browned, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Use a wooden spoon to stir and ensure even browning. Once the meat is fully cooked, drain any excess fat if needed.
Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the pot with the browned meat. Stir everything together and cook for 2-3 minutes until the onions become soft and translucent. You’ll know it’s done when the garlic becomes fragrant, and the onions are no longer crunchy.
Open the cans of tomatoes, green chiles, kidney beans, and hominy. Drain the beans and hominy before adding them to the pot. Add all the canned ingredients to the meat mixture, stirring to combine evenly.
Pour in the chicken broth and sprinkle in the taco seasoning and ranch dressing mix. Stir everything together, ensuring the spices are evenly distributed. Bring the soup to a simmer over medium heat and let it cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Once the soup has simmered and the flavors have melded, taste it for seasoning. Adjust with extra salt, pepper, or taco seasoning if needed. Ladle the soup into bowls, then garnish with sour cream and shredded cheese for added creaminess and flavor.