Ah, classic comfort food! Let’s make a hearty vegetable beef soup step by step. I’ll give a detailed recipe that balances rich beef flavor with fresh vegetables.
Hearty Vegetable Beef Soup Recipe
Ingredients (6–8 servings)
- Beef: 1 lb (450 g) stew beef or chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
- Oil: 2 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil
- Vegetables:
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 carrots, sliced
- 3 celery stalks, sliced
- 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut
- 1 cup corn (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- Broth & Liquid:
- 6 cups beef broth (or a mix of broth + water)
- Seasonings:
- 2 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried thyme or rosemary
- 1 bay leaf
- Optional: ½ tsp smoked paprika for extra depth
Instructions
- Brown the beef
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
- Add beef cubes, season lightly with salt & pepper, and brown on all sides (about 5–7 minutes).
- Remove beef and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics
- In the same pot, add onion and garlic. Cook 3–4 minutes until fragrant.
- Add vegetables & beef
- Stir in carrots, celery, and potatoes. Cook 2–3 minutes.
- Return beef to the pot.
- Add liquid & seasonings
- Pour in beef broth and diced tomatoes (with juice).
- Add thyme, bay leaf, black pepper, and optional smoked paprika.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 45–60 minutes, or until beef is tender and vegetables are cooked.
- Finish with quick-cook veggies
- Add green beans and corn during the last 10 minutes of cooking so they stay slightly crisp.
- Taste & adjust
- Check seasoning and add more salt, pepper, or herbs if needed.
- Remove bay leaf before serving.
Tips for Maximum Flavor
- Sear in batches to avoid steaming the beef.
- Optional: add a splash of Worcestershire sauce for umami.
- Make it a day ahead: soup tastes even better the next day as flavors meld.
- Thicker soup: mash a few potatoes in the pot to naturally thicken the broth.
If you want, I can also give a quick 30-minute version that’s lighter but still full of flavor—great for busy weeknights.
Do you want the quick version too?
