Best Ever Easy Vegetable Beef Soup
There’s something incredibly comforting about a warm bowl of homemade soup, especially when it’s packed with a medley of nutritious vegetables and flavorful beef. The Best Ever Easy Vegetable Beef Soup brings together tender potatoes, carrots, green beans, and corn with savory ground beef in a tomato-based broth, creating a perfect balance of heartiness and flavor. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight meal or a dish to warm you up on a chilly day, this vegetable beef soup hits all the right notes. Not only is it packed with flavor, but it’s also straightforward to make with minimal ingredients and maximum results. Let’s dive into how to create this delicious soup.
Ingredients
For this recipe, you’ll need:
- 4 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 2 cups water
- 3 large carrots, sliced
- 1 large onion, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 cups fresh or frozen cut green beans
- 4 cups tomato juice
- 1/2 pound ground beef, cooked and drained
- 4 cups fresh or frozen corn
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 bay leaves
This combination of fresh vegetables, savory seasonings, and beef creates a rich, wholesome soup that’s sure to be a family favorite.
How to Make the Best Ever Easy Vegetable Beef Soup
1. Prepare the Base
Start by preparing the base of the soup. In a large saucepan, combine the potatoes, water, carrots, onion, salt, and pepper. Bring everything to a boil over medium-high heat, allowing the flavors to start blending. Once the water begins to bubble, reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the saucepan and let it simmer for 25 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. This slow simmering process helps soften the potatoes and carrots, infusing the broth with their natural sweetness and creating a comforting base for the soup.
2. Add the Vegetables and Beef
Once the vegetables in the base are tender, it’s time to add the rest of the ingredients. Stir in the green beans, tomato juice, cooked ground beef, corn, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and bay leaves. Each of these ingredients plays a key role in creating the rich, savory flavor of the soup. The green beans add freshness, the tomato juice brings acidity and body, and the ground beef adds protein and heartiness. The Italian seasoning and garlic powder infuse the broth with warm, aromatic flavors, while the bay leaves add a subtle depth to the overall taste.
3. Simmer and Combine the Flavors
Cover the pot again and continue to let the soup simmer for another 30 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure that everything is well combined and that the flavors are melding together beautifully. As the soup simmers, the vegetables soften further, and the ground beef absorbs the rich tomato and herb flavors. By the time it’s done, you’ll have a perfectly balanced, comforting soup. Don’t forget to remove and discard the bay leaves before serving, as they’re only used to add flavor during the cooking process.
Serving Suggestions
This vegetable beef soup is hearty enough to serve as a main course on its own, but it’s even better when paired with a slice of warm, crusty bread or a simple side salad. You can also top the soup with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or grated Parmesan cheese for an added touch of freshness and flavor. Leftovers are equally delicious the next day, making this soup a great option for meal prepping or enjoying throughout the week.
Recipe Notes
- Freezing and Storing: This soup stores well in the fridge for up to 3 days. To freeze, allow it to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Vegetable Variations: Feel free to experiment with other vegetables you have on hand. Zucchini, peas, or bell peppers would be great additions to this soup. Just make sure to adjust the simmering time based on the tenderness of the vegetables you add.
- Beef Substitutes: If you don’t have ground beef, you can substitute with ground turkey, ground chicken, or even cubed steak for a different twist on the flavor.
- Make it Spicy: For those who like a little heat, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce to the broth.
Details
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Meat-based
Nutritional Information (per serving)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Protein: 16g
- Fat: 9g
- Fiber: 8g
- Cholesterol: 38mg
- Sodium: 680mg
- Sugar: 8g
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?
A: Yes, you can adapt this recipe for a slow cooker. Simply add all the ingredients to the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Brown the ground beef beforehand to enhance the flavor.
Q: Can I use different types of meat in this soup?
A: Absolutely! While ground beef is the classic choice, ground turkey, ground chicken, or even sausage can be used for a unique flavor twist.
Q: How can I make this soup vegetarian?
A: To make a vegetarian version, simply omit the ground beef and add extra vegetables like zucchini or mushrooms for added heartiness. You can also use vegetable broth in place of tomato juice for a different base.
Q: Can I freeze leftover vegetable beef soup?
A: Yes, this soup freezes very well. Just make sure to cool the soup completely before transferring it to an airtight container or freezer bag. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Q: What are good side dishes to serve with this soup?
A: This soup pairs wonderfully with crusty bread, garlic bread, or a simple green salad. You can also serve it with cornbread for a hearty meal.
Q: Can I add pasta or rice to this soup?
A: Yes, you can add cooked pasta, rice, or even barley to this soup for added texture and substance. If you choose to do so, cook the grains separately and stir them in just before serving to prevent them from becoming too soft.
This Best Ever Easy Vegetable Beef Soup is a delicious and nutritious meal that’s simple enough for weeknight cooking and hearty enough to keep you full and satisfied. Try it out today and enjoy the wonderful combination of flavors and textures!
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Best Ever Easy Vegetable Beef Soup
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This Best Ever Easy Vegetable Beef Soup is a comforting and hearty dish perfect for chilly days. It combines tender potatoes, carrots, green beans, and corn with savory ground beef in a rich tomato-based broth. Easy to prepare and packed with flavor, this soup is both satisfying and nutritious.
Ingredients
- 4 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 2 cups water
- 3 large carrots, sliced
- 1 large onion, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 cups fresh or frozen cut green beans
- 4 cups tomato juice
- 1/2 pound ground beef, cooked and drained
- 4 cups fresh or frozen corn
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 bay leaves
Instructions
- Prepare the Base: In a large saucepan, combine the potatoes, water, carrots, onion, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Stir in the green beans, tomato juice, cooked ground beef, corn, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and bay leaves. Mix well.
- Simmer: Cover and continue to simmer for an additional 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove and discard bay leaves before serving.
Notes
- Freezing: To freeze, cool completely and transfer to an airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat thoroughly before serving.
- Vegetable Variations: Feel free to add other vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers.
- Meat Substitutes: Ground turkey or chicken can be used instead of beef.
- For a Vegetarian Version: Omit the beef and use vegetable broth instead of tomato juice.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 38mg
Keywords: Best Ever Easy Vegetable Beef Soup