Vegetable Beef Soup

The beauty of Vegetable Beef Soup lies in its ability to warm you up from the inside out, especially on those chilly days when the world feels a little too cold. The tender chunks of beef blend seamlessly with the fresh, vibrant vegetables, creating a comforting harmony of flavors that is both hearty and satisfying. As the soup simmers on the stove, the rich aroma fills your kitchen, hinting at the goodness that’s about to come. The beef adds a savory depth, while the vegetables – carrots, potatoes, and peas – bring in a slight sweetness that balances everything perfectly.

Each spoonful of this soup carries with it a little bit of nostalgia, a reminder of family gatherings or cozy evenings spent at home. The longer it simmers, the more the flavors meld together, creating a broth that’s both savory and full of life. If you’re like me, you’ll find that this soup only gets better the next day, once all those flavors have had even more time to mingle. I love to serve it with a thick slice of buttered bread, perfect for dunking into the warm, flavorful broth.

And don’t forget, this soup is super versatile. If you have extra vegetables on hand, toss them in! Zucchini, green beans, or corn are all great additions. The beauty of this recipe is that it’s completely customizable, and you can make it as simple or as complex as you like. Plus, it’s the kind of dish that’s easy to share. Whether you’re cooking for one or a whole crowd, this soup is bound to make everyone feel at home.

Key Ingredients in Vegetable Beef Soup

Each ingredient in this soup plays a vital role in building layers of flavor and texture. The combination of fresh vegetables, tender beef, and aromatic herbs creates a balanced and hearty dish. Here’s a breakdown of the key ingredients that make this soup so special:

• Olive oil: A simple yet essential fat for sautéing the beef and aromatics. It adds richness and depth to the base of the soup.
• Beef stew meat: The star of the soup, providing a savory, meaty bite that enriches the broth as it simmers.
• Onion: A foundational aromatic that brings sweetness and savory undertones to the soup, creating a flavorful base.
• Garlic: Adds a fragrant, savory kick that complements the beef and vegetables, making the entire soup feel more robust.
• Beef broth: The liquid backbone of the soup, imparting a rich, meaty flavor that ties all the ingredients together.
• Water: Helps balance the broth, ensuring the soup isn’t too thick and allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
• Carrots: Their natural sweetness softens the savory elements of the soup and adds a pop of color.
• Celery: With its mild, earthy flavor, celery adds crunch and freshness, balancing the richness of the beef.
• Potatoes: They absorb the flavors of the broth while providing a satisfying, hearty texture that helps make the soup more filling.
• Green beans: A classic vegetable addition that adds a slight earthiness and bite, adding to the soup’s texture.
• Corn kernels: Sweet and tender, they bring a touch of brightness and sweetness to balance the savory ingredients.
• Diced tomatoes: These give the soup a subtle tang and a depth of flavor that enhances the overall taste profile.
• Dried basil: A fragrant herb that adds a slightly sweet, peppery note, brightening up the rich, savory flavors of the soup.
• Dried thyme: This herb lends an earthy, warm flavor that deepens the overall taste and complements the beef perfectly.
• Bay leaf: A whole leaf that imparts a subtle, aromatic flavor, rounding out the soup’s complexity as it simmers.
• Salt: Essential for seasoning the soup and bringing out the natural flavors of the ingredients.
• Black pepper: Adds a gentle heat and spice, enhancing the overall depth and balance of the soup.

How to Make Vegetable Beef Soup

Serving Suggestions for Vegetable Beef Soup

1. Pair with Crusty Bread
There’s nothing quite like dunking a warm, buttered slice of crusty bread into a steaming bowl of Vegetable Beef Soup. The bread soaks up the rich, savory broth, and each bite is pure comfort. Whether you’ve got a baguette, a rustic sourdough, or even a hearty whole grain loaf, it’s the perfect way to elevate your soup experience.

2. Top with Fresh Herbs and Cheese
For a little extra flair, sprinkle some fresh parsley or thyme on top of your soup before serving. The burst of color and freshness will brighten up each bowl. If you’re feeling indulgent, a small handful of shredded cheese—cheddar, Parmesan, or even a creamy goat cheese—melts into the broth, making every spoonful even more irresistible.

3. Serve with a Simple Side Salad
Balance out the richness of the soup with a refreshing side salad. A simple mix of greens with a tangy vinaigrette is all you need to cut through the hearty flavors and bring some freshness to the table. Add a few sliced radishes or a sprinkle of crumbled feta for an extra layer of texture and flavor!

How to Store Vegetable Beef Soup

If you find yourself with leftovers after enjoying a big bowl of Vegetable Beef Soup, don’t worry – this soup stores beautifully and can be just as delicious the next day. To keep it fresh, let the soup cool down to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the soup watery. Stored properly in the fridge, it will last for about 3 to 4 days, and the flavors will only get richer as it sits.

If you’re planning to keep it longer, freezing is a great option. Just scoop the soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving a little space at the top for expansion, and store it for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, thaw it in the fridge overnight or gently reheat it on the stove. The soup might thicken slightly after freezing, but a splash of broth or water will bring it back to the perfect consistency.

For those days when you don’t want to commit to an entire pot of soup, consider portioning it out into individual servings before storing. That way, you can easily pull out a single bowl whenever a craving strikes, without having to reheat the entire batch.

Conclusion

There’s something truly magical about a bowl of Vegetable Beef Soup. It’s more than just a meal; it’s a warm hug on a cold day, a reminder of comfort, family, and the simple joys of home-cooked food. From the tender chunks of beef to the vibrant vegetables, every ingredient has a part to play in creating that perfect harmony of flavors. Whether you’re cooking for a cozy night in or feeding a hungry crowd, this soup is sure to please.

And the best part? It’s so flexible! Feel free to get creative with the ingredients you have on hand, making it your own unique version.

I’d love to hear how your soup turns out, so if you make it, drop a comment or let me know how it goes. Or if you have any questions or need a little extra guidance, I’m always here to help. You’ve got this!

Print Recipe

Vegetable Beef Soup

Author: Daniel Carter Courses: Dinner

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 15 mins Cook Time 1 hr Rest Time 10 mins Total Time 1 hr 25 mins

Calories: 350

Description

A hearty blend of tender beef, vibrant vegetables, and savory broth, Vegetable Beef Soup is the ultimate comfort food. Each spoonful is packed with rich, earthy flavors, creating a satisfying and warming meal that feels like a cozy hug in a bowl.

Ingredients

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 pound beef stew meat, cubed

• 1 medium onion, chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 4 cups beef broth

• 2 cups water

• 1 cup carrots, sliced

• 1 cup celery, chopped

• 1 cup potatoes, diced

• 1 cup green beans, chopped

• 1 cup corn kernels

• 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes

• 1 teaspoon dried basil

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme

• 1 bay leaf

• Salt to taste

• Black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
2. Add the cubed beef stew meat to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides.
3. Once the beef is browned, remove it from the pot and set it aside.
4. In the same pot, add the chopped onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened.
5. Add the minced garlic to the pot and sauté for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
6. Return the browned beef to the pot and stir to combine with the onion and garlic.
7. Pour in the beef broth and water, stirring to mix.
8. Add the sliced carrots, chopped celery, diced potatoes, chopped green beans, and corn kernels to the pot.
9. Add the diced tomatoes with their juices, and stir to combine.
10. Season with dried basil, dried thyme, a bay leaf, salt, and black pepper to taste.
11. Bring the soup to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot.
12. Simmer the soup for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until the vegetables are tender and the flavors have melded.
13. Stir the soup occasionally and check for seasoning, adding more salt or pepper as needed.
14. Remove the bay leaf from the soup before serving.
15. Serve the soup hot and enjoy.

Note

• Use lean beef stew meat to avoid excess fat in the soup.
• For extra flavor, brown the beef in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot.
• Feel free to swap the vegetables with others like parsnips, peas, or zucchini for variety.
• For a thicker soup, mash some of the potatoes in the pot before serving.
• Always remove the bay leaf before serving, as it’s not edible.

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