Vegetable Beef Soup Recipe Heartiest for Cozy Evenings

Rich, hearty vegetable beef soup has been my winter comfort since childhood.

Memories of grandma’s kitchen always flood back when I stir this classic recipe.

Tender chunks of beef mingle with vibrant vegetables in a deeply satisfying broth.

Carrots, celery, and potatoes create a robust foundation for this warming dish.

Each spoonful carries the warmth of slow-cooked goodness and home-style love.

Nutritious ingredients combine to make a meal that feels like a culinary hug.

Let this soup become your new cold-weather companion and kitchen victory.

Ingredients to Build a Tasty Vegetable Beef Soup

• Beef Chuck or Stew Meat: Rich meat perfect for slow cooking, tender when simmered, choose well-marbled cuts for best flavor.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Basic seasonings for enhancing overall taste, freshly ground recommended.
• Thyme, Parsley, Bay Leaf: Classic soup herbs that add depth and aroma, fresh herbs preferred over dried.

• Onion, Carrots, Celery: Classic soup base vegetables, known as mirepoix, providing foundational flavor and texture.
• Potatoes: Hearty vegetable adding substance and thickness to the soup, waxy varieties hold shape well.
• Green Beans, Corn: Additional vegetables providing color, nutrition, and variety to the soup.

• Olive Oil: Used for initial searing and sautéing, extra virgin recommended for better flavor.
• Beef Broth, Water: Creating the soup's liquid base, low-sodium broth allows better seasoning control.

• Diced Tomatoes: Adds acidic brightness and rich texture to the soup base, fire-roasted variety enhances flavor.

How to Make a Pot of Vegetable Beef Soup

Step 1: Brown The Beef

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Sprinkle beef pieces with seasoning and place into hot pot. Cook meat until golden and crispy on all exterior sides. This process takes about 5-7 minutes. Transfer browned beef to a separate plate.

Step 2: Prepare Aromatic Vegetables

• Onions
• Carrots
• Celery

Sauté vegetables until they become soft and slightly translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute to release fragrant oils.

Step 3: Build Robust Soup Foundation

• Diced tomatoes
• Beef broth
• Water
• Fresh thyme
• Chopped parsley
• Bay leaf

Bring liquid mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat. Cover pot and let simmer for 30 minutes, allowing meat to become wonderfully tender.

Step 4: Incorporate Hearty Vegetables

• Potatoes
• Green beans
• Corn

Allow soup to simmer uncovered for 20-30 minutes until vegetables reach perfect tenderness and beef becomes melt-in-your-mouth soft.

Step 5: Final Flavor Touches

Remove bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve alongside crusty bread or crackers for a complete meal.

Pro Cooking Tips for a Flavorful Beef and Veggie Mix

• Boost Beef Browning: Ensure meat develops a deep, rich color by patting beef dry before searing, which helps create a perfect caramelized exterior and locks in delicious flavors.
• Veggie Volume Control: Chop vegetables uniformly to guarantee even cooking and balanced texture throughout the soup, preventing some pieces from becoming mushy while others remain undercooked.
• Quick Tenderizing Trick: Let the soup simmer on low heat to break down tough beef fibers, transforming meat into melt-in-your-mouth tender bites without losing nutritional value.
• Customize Soup Consistency: Adjust liquid levels by adding more broth for a thinner soup or letting it reduce longer for a heartier, more concentrated flavor profile.
• Diet-Friendly Modifications: Swap beef with plant-based protein like tofu or legumes for vegetarian versions, and use low-sodium broth to control salt intake for health-conscious individuals.

Ways to Store Vegetable Beef Soup and Keep It Fresh

• Store leftover vegetable beef soup in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 3 months, preserving flavor and texture.
• Thaw frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight, then warm slowly in a pot over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally to prevent scorching and ensure even heating.
• Transfer desired portion to a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat in 1-minute intervals. Stir between intervals to distribute heat evenly, preventing cold spots.

Pairings That Fit Well with Vegetable Beef Soup

• Pour a medium-bodied red like Cabernet Franc to complement the rich beef and enhance the soup's hearty flavors.
• Select a dense, tangy sourdough bread that provides perfect texture for dipping and absorbing the savory broth.
• Crumble fresh goat cheese with chopped chives over the soup to add creamy tanginess and elevate the vegetable's earthy notes.
• Prepare a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the soup's warmth and provide a refreshing contrast.

New Takes on the Traditional Vegetable Beef Soup

• Hearty Vegetarian Swap: Replace beef with firm tofu or plant-based protein chunks, using vegetable broth instead of beef broth for a meat-free version that maintains robust flavor.
• Low-Carb Keto Option: Substitute potatoes with cauliflower florets, eliminating corn and using extra zucchini or turnips to reduce carbohydrate content while keeping nutritional value high.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free, particularly checking broth and seasonings. Skip crackers or serve with gluten-free bread alternatives for celiac-friendly meal.
• Instant Pot Express: Transfer all ingredients into pressure cooker, reducing cooking time to 15-20 minutes while maintaining soup's rich taste and tender meat texture.

Vegetable Beef Soup for a Rustic Classic

• Dive into a heartwarming soup that wraps you in cozy flavors, perfect for chilly evenings or when you need a soul-soothing meal.
• Whip up this delicious soup in under an hour, with simple steps that make cooking a breeze for both novice and experienced home chefs.
• Packed with lean protein from beef and a rainbow of vegetables, this soup delivers a balanced, wholesome meal that nourishes your body and satisfies your hunger.
• Adaptable to different tastes and dietary needs, this recipe works great for family dinners, meal prep, or warming up leftovers throughout the week.

Vegetable Beef Soup Recipe

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4.7 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty vegetable beef soup combines robust flavors from tender beef and garden-fresh vegetables in a comforting winter classic. Rich broth and perfectly seasoned ingredients promise a satisfying meal that warms hearts and nourishes souls.

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Ingredients

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Meat:

• 1 lb (450 g) beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces

Vegetables:

• 3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
• 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup frozen green beans
• 1 cup frozen corn (or peas)
• 1 (14.5 ounces/411 grams) can diced tomatoes

Seasonings and Liquids:

• 4 cups beef broth (low sodium if preferred)
• 2 cups water
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare a robust cooking vessel and heat olive oil over medium-high temperature, creating a sizzling surface for meat preparation.
2. Season beef cuts generously with salt and pepper, then carefully place into the hot oil, methodically browning each surface until a rich caramel color develops, approximately 5-7 minutes.
3. Transfer browned meat to a separate plate, preserving the flavorful remnants in the cooking pot.
4. Introduce chopped onions, carrots, and celery into the same pot, allowing vegetables to soften and release their aromatic essence for 4-5 minutes.
5. Incorporate minced garlic, stirring briefly to prevent burning and enhance the overall flavor profile.
6. Reintroduce the seared beef to the vegetable mixture, creating a hearty foundation.
7. Pour in diced tomatoes, beef broth, water, and herb trio of thyme, parsley, and bay leaf, bringing the liquid to a vigorous boil.
8. Reduce heat, cover the pot, and allow the mixture to gently simmer, transforming tough meat fibers into tender morsels over 30 minutes.
9. Add potatoes, green beans, and corn kernels, continuing to cook uncovered until vegetables reach desired tenderness and beef becomes exceptionally soft.
10. Discard the bay leaf and taste the soup, calibrating salt and pepper to personal preference.
11. Ladle the steaming soup into serving bowls, optionally garnishing with fresh parsley and accompanying with crusty bread or crisp crackers.

Notes

• Choose fatty, well-marbled cuts like chuck roast for more tender and flavorful beef that remains juicy during long cooking times.
• Brown meat thoroughly to develop deep, rich caramelized flavors that enhance the overall soup’s taste profile.
• Use low sodium broth to control salt levels, allowing you to season gradually and prevent oversalting the soup.
• Add vegetables in stages based on their cooking times to ensure each ingredient remains perfectly textured without becoming mushy or overcooked.
• Swap beef with plant-based protein like seitan or mushrooms for a vegetarian version that maintains the hearty soup consistency.
• Freeze leftover soup in portion-sized containers for quick meals, as the flavors continue developing and intensifying over time.
• Make the soup more nutrient-dense by incorporating additional vegetables like zucchini, spinach, or kale during the final simmering stage.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg