Hearty Vegetable Beef Soup: A Classic Comforting Dish

Nothing beats a warm, hearty bowl of vegetable beef soup, especially on a chilly day when you need something satisfying and nutritious. This classic soup is a wonderful way to pack in loads of vegetables, tender beef, and delicious broth, making it a wholesome meal for the whole family. Vegetable beef soup is not only easy to prepare, but it’s also a great dish for batch cooking, as it freezes well and can be enjoyed over several days.

In this article, we’ll guide you through making a delicious homemade vegetable beef soup that’s brimming with flavors, textures, and nutrients. With a few simple ingredients and a little time, you can have a comforting, filling soup ready to enjoy.

Why Vegetable Beef Soup Is a Favorite

Vegetable beef soup is a classic comfort dish that combines the hearty goodness of beef with the freshness of vegetables. It’s a versatile meal that can be customized with whatever vegetables you have on hand, making it ideal for using up produce. The soup is packed with protein from the beef, fiber from the vegetables, and plenty of vitamins and minerals, making it both nutritious and delicious.

It’s also a wonderful dish for feeding a crowd or freezing leftovers for a quick meal on busy days. The flavors develop even more as the soup sits, so it’s perfect for meal prep and enjoying over the course of a few days.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here are the ingredients for a classic vegetable beef soup:

• 1 ½ pounds beef stew meat (cut into bite-sized pieces)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion (chopped)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 4 cups beef broth (or more for desired consistency)
• 2 large carrots (peeled and sliced)
• 2 celery stalks (chopped)
• 3 medium potatoes (peeled and diced)
• 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz, with juice)
• 1 cup green beans (fresh or frozen)
• 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
• 1 cup peas (fresh or frozen)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions

Now that you have your ingredients ready, let’s walk through the process of making this hearty vegetable beef soup.

Step 1: Sear the Beef

The first step in creating a rich and flavorful vegetable beef soup is to sear the beef. This helps to lock in the juices and develop a deep, savory flavor that will enrich the broth.

1. Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
2. Add the beef stew meat to the pot and sear it on all sides until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Be sure not to overcrowd the pan; sear the beef in batches if needed.
3. Once browned, remove the beef from the pot and set it aside on a plate. You’ll add it back to the soup later.

Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables

With the beef browned, it’s time to sauté the aromatics and build the base flavor for the soup.