Description
Hearty vegetable beef soup brings comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen to your dining table. Packed with tender beef, robust vegetables, and savory broth, you’ll savor each spoonful of this classic, soul-warming meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 lb (450 g) beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
Vegetables:
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups potatoes, peeled and diced
- 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 1 cup green beans, chopped
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- 1 can (14.5 ounces/414 g) diced tomatoes, with juices
Herbs, Liquids, and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat, searing beef stew meat until deeply golden on all sides. Transfer browned meat to a separate plate.
- Using the same pot, sauté chopped onions until translucent and softened, approximately 4-5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30-60 seconds, releasing aromatic flavors.
- Reintroduce seared beef to the pot, combining with beef broth, water, and diced tomatoes, ensuring all browned bits are incorporated from the bottom of the pot.
- Incorporate potatoes, carrots, green beans, and corn into the liquid mixture. Sprinkle dried thyme, dried basil, and add bay leaf for enhanced depth of flavor.
- Bring the soup to a vigorous boil, then reduce heat to low, allowing the mixture to gently simmer for 35-45 minutes. Verify beef tenderness and vegetable softness during cooking.
- Discard bay leaf after simmering. Adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper to personal preference.
- Ladle the hearty soup into serving bowls, accompanied by crusty bread or crisp crackers for a complete, comforting meal.
Notes
- Searing the beef before adding to the soup creates a deeper, richer flavor profile by caramelizing the meat’s surface.
- Choose chuck or round steak cuts for maximum tenderness and better flavor absorption during long cooking times.
- Customize vegetable combinations based on seasonal availability or personal preferences without changing core cooking technique.
- Make this soup freezer-friendly by cooling completely and storing in airtight containers for up to three months, allowing quick meal preparation later.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 50mg