Vegetable Beef Soup Recipe

The Heartiest Vegetable Beef Soup Recipe for Cozy Nights

Hearty vegetable beef soup brings comfort during chilly evenings with its rich, warming flavors.

Fragrant herbs and tender meat create a delightful culinary experience that satisfies deep hunger.

Slow-simmered ingredients blend perfectly, releasing incredible aromas that fill your kitchen.

Nutritious vegetables mingle with succulent beef, creating a balanced meal packed with goodness.

Home cooks appreciate how simple ingredients can transform into something extraordinary.

Each spoonful tells a story of traditional cooking and love.

FAQs

  • What type of beef works best for this soup?

Chuck roast or stew meat are ideal because they’re flavorful and become tender during slow cooking, breaking down nicely in the soup.

  • Can I make this soup gluten-free?

Yes, simply ensure your beef broth is gluten-free and skip any potential gluten-containing seasonings. Most of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.

  • Is this soup nutritionally balanced?

Absolutely! The recipe combines protein from beef, vitamins from vegetables, and provides a good mix of nutrients with low-fat content. It’s a complete one-pot meal that offers balanced nutrition.

  • How can I make the soup more hearty?

Add more vegetables like corn or peas, or include a handful of barley or small pasta during the last 15 minutes of cooking to increase the soup’s heartiness and substance.

Vegetable Beef Soup: What Makes This A Cozy Favorite

  • Nourish Quickly: One-Pot Comfort Meal that requires minimal prep work and cooking skills, perfect for busy weeknight dinners with straightforward steps anyone can master.
  • Nutrient-Packed Performance: Loaded with diverse vegetables and lean protein, this soup delivers balanced nutrition supporting muscle health and providing essential vitamins and minerals in every hearty spoonful.
  • Time-Saving Convenience: Total cooking time under an hour makes this recipe ideal for home cooks seeking delicious, wholesome meals without spending hours in the kitchen, with simple ingredients and minimal cleanup required.
  • Family-Friendly Adaptability: Easily customizable soup allows substituting vegetables based on preferences or seasonal availability, ensuring even picky eaters can enjoy a warm, satisfying meal that pleases multiple palates.

Vegetable Beef Soup Ingredient Guide

Protein Base:
  • Beef Stew Meat: Tender chunks perfect for a hearty soup, best when trimmed of excess fat and cut into uniform small pieces.
Aromatics and Seasonings:
  • Onion, Garlic: Flavor foundation that adds depth and richness to the soup, choose fresh and firm vegetables for the best taste.
  • Dried Thyme, Dried Oregano: Classic herbs that provide warm, earthy undertones to the beef soup.
  • Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings for balancing and enhancing overall flavor profile.
Vegetables and Liquid:
  • Carrots, Celery, Potatoes, Green Beans: Classic soup vegetables that add nutrition, texture, and color, select fresh and crisp produce.
  • Diced Tomatoes: Provides acidity and slight sweetness, canned variety works perfectly for consistent flavor.
  • Beef Broth: Core liquid base that creates the soup's foundation, rich and savory background for all ingredients.
  • Olive Oil: Used for initial sautéing, helps develop deep flavors before adding liquid components.

Vegetable Beef Soup Preparation Method

Step 1: Sizzle and Brown the Beef

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.

Carefully place beef pieces into the hot oil and brown them thoroughly on all sides, creating a delicious caramelized exterior.

Once beautifully browned, remove the beef and set it aside temporarily.

Step 2: Unleash Aromatic Foundations

Using the same pot with those flavorful beef remnants, sauté:
  • Onions
  • Garlic

Stir until they become wonderfully fragrant and start to soften, releasing their rich, savory essence.

Step 3: Create Vegetable Symphony

Add the following vegetables to the pot and cook for 3-4 minutes:
  • Carrots
  • Celery
  • Potatoes

Gently stir and allow them to begin softening and absorbing the delicious base flavors.

Step 4: Build the Liquid Landscape

Pour into the pot:
  • Beef broth
  • Diced tomatoes
  • Thyme
  • Oregano

Stir everything thoroughly to combine all the ingredients and create a harmonious blend of flavors.

Step 5: Reunite and Boil

Return the previously browned beef to the pot.

Bring the entire mixture to a rolling boil, allowing all ingredients to start melding together.

Step 6: Simmer and Develop Depth

Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and let the soup simmer gently for 30 minutes.

This slow cooking process will tenderize the meat and allow flavors to develop fully.

Step 7: Final Vegetable Touch

Add green beans to the pot and continue cooking for an additional 10-15 minutes until vegetables are perfectly tender.

Step 8: Season and Serve

Taste the soup and season with salt and pepper according to your preference.

Serve hot and enjoy the rich, comforting flavors of this hearty vegetable beef soup.

Flavor Balancing Tips for Hearty Vegetable Beef Soup

  • Brown beef thoroughly to develop rich, deep flavors before adding other ingredients, creating a more complex taste profile.
  • Swap or add seasonal vegetables like zucchini, peas, or butternut squash to customize the soup's nutritional value and taste.
  • Cook on low heat to tenderize beef and allow herbs and spices to meld together, creating a more harmonious and robust soup.
  • This soup tastes even better the next day as flavors continue to develop, making it perfect for meal prep and convenient leftovers.
  • Ensure beef broth is gluten-free and skip any potential wheat-based thickeners to make this recipe suitable for gluten-sensitive diets.

Store Vegetable Beef Soup And Heat Gently

  • Store leftover soup in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cool the soup completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
  • Transfer soup to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring a tight seal to prevent freezer burn.
  • Warm gently in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of broth if the soup seems too thick.
  • Defrost overnight in the refrigerator, then warm in a pot over medium-low heat. Stir frequently and add extra broth if needed to restore original consistency.

What to Enjoy with Vegetable Beef Soup

  • Wine Pairing: Choose a medium-bodied red wine like Cabernet Franc or Merlot that complements the hearty beef flavors and cuts through the richness of the soup.
  • Bread Companion: Serve with crusty sourdough or rustic garlic bread to soak up the flavorful broth and add delightful texture to each bite.
  • Cheese Accent: Sprinkle sharp aged cheddar or crumble blue cheese on top to enhance the soup's savory profile and provide a tangy contrast to the tender beef and vegetables.
  • Side Salad Boost: Create a light mixed green salad with a zesty vinaigrette to balance the soup's warmth and add a fresh, crisp element to the meal.

Vegetable Beef Soup with Hearty Winter Veggie Additions

  • Hearty Vegetarian Option: Replace beef with firm tofu or extra protein-packed lentils, using vegetable broth instead of beef broth for a complete plant-based meal.
  • Low-Carb Keto Version: Swap potatoes with cauliflower chunks and add zucchini for volume, maintaining rich protein content with grass-fed beef or additional meat.
  • Gluten-Free Adaptation: Ensure all ingredients like broth and canned tomatoes are certified gluten-free, and use fresh herbs for maximum flavor without potential cross-contamination.
  • Slow Cooker Method: Transfer all ingredients after initial beef browning into a slow cooker, cooking on low for 6-8 hours for tender meat and deeply infused flavors.
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Vegetable Beef Soup Recipe

Vegetable Beef Soup Recipe


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4.8 from 16 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Hearty vegetable beef soup delivers comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, blending rich broth with tender meat and colorful vegetables. Savory, warming, and packed with nutrition, this classic recipe invites you to enjoy a bowl of pure home-cooked satisfaction.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Protein:

  • 1 pound (454 grams) beef stew meat, cut into small pieces

Vegetables:

  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 2 celery stalks, sliced
  • 3 potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 1 cup green beans, trimmed
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces/411 grams) diced tomatoes

Liquid and Seasonings:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 6 cups beef broth
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Create a rich flavor base by searing beef chunks in hot olive oil until golden brown and caramelized, then transfer to a separate plate.
  2. Using the same pot, gently sweat aromatic onions and minced garlic until they release their fragrant oils and become translucent.
  3. Layer robust root vegetables like carrots, celery, and potatoes into the pot, allowing them to soften and absorb the residual meat flavors.
  4. Deglaze the pot with robust beef broth, incorporating diced tomatoes and a harmonious blend of dried thyme and oregano to build depth.
  5. Reintroduce the seared beef into the liquid, bringing the entire mixture to a vigorous boil that will help meld the ingredients.
  6. Reduce the heat, cover the pot, and allow the soup to gently simmer, transforming tough meat fibers into tender, succulent morsels.
  7. Introduce vibrant green beans during the final cooking stage, ensuring they retain a slight crispness and bright color.
  8. Taste and calibrate the seasoning with salt and freshly cracked pepper, creating a balanced and comforting final dish ready to serve.

Notes

  • Choose lean cuts like sirloin or chuck roast for more tender meat that melts in your mouth during long cooking.
  • Enhance flavor depth by browning beef thoroughly before adding other ingredients, creating rich caramelized notes.
  • Prep vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the soup.
  • Consider substituting beef with plant-based protein like mushrooms or lentils for vegetarian adaptations, maintaining the hearty soup’s essence.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 215
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 26 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 14 g
  • Cholesterol: 50 mg
James Walker

James Walker

Lead Recipe Developer & Culinary Educator

Expertise

Southern Cuisine & Farm-to-Table Cooking, Recipe Development & Testing, Culinary Education & Instruction​

Education

School: Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts

Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations

Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern culinary techniques, kitchen operations, and farm-to-table practices. ​


James didn’t learn cooking from a TV show, he learned it from busy kitchens, family gatherings, and long afternoons spent testing recipes the hard way.
After training at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, he brought his love for real, down-to-earth food to every dish he makes.
At Dining At Home, James loves building recipes that feel familiar but still have something special, like adding a twist to a classic or making a slow Sunday dinner feel brand new.
When he’s not in the kitchen, you’ll probably find him swapping garden tips at the farmers’ market or teaching his daughter how to flip pancakes without a mess (almost).

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