Description
Old-Fashioned Vegetable Beef Soup is a hearty, comforting classic combining tender beef chuck, fresh garden vegetables, and a rich beef broth. This wholesome one-pot meal is perfect for chilly days, delivering balanced nutrition, nostalgic flavors, and cozy warmth in every bowl.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 2 pounds beef chuck, cut into bite-sized cubes
Vegetables
- 3 medium carrots, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Canned Goods & Liquids
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 6 cups beef broth
Herbs & Seasonings
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme or mixed dried herbs
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare and Brown the Beef: Cut the beef chuck into bite-sized cubes. Lightly season with salt and pepper. Heat a large pot over medium-high heat and sear the beef cubes until browned on all sides. This locks in flavor and forms a rich base for the broth.
- Sauté Aromatics: Remove the browned beef from the pot. In the same pot, add diced onions, carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften and become fragrant, approximately 5 minutes. This step builds flavor depth.
- Add Liquids and Simmer: Return the browned beef to the pot. Stir in canned diced tomatoes and beef broth. Add bay leaves and your choice of dried herbs. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for about 1.5 hours, or until the beef is tender.
- Incorporate Vegetables: About 30 minutes before the end of cooking, add the cubed potatoes and green beans to the soup. This timing prevents overcooking while ensuring the vegetables are tender and flavorful.
- Season and Serve: Remove bay leaves from the soup. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. Serve the soup hot, optionally garnished with fresh chopped parsley or grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Use well-marbled beef chuck for the most tender and flavorful results.
- Properly browning the beef adds caramelized depth to the soup.
- Sautéing vegetables before adding liquids layers complex flavors.
- Simmer the soup gently to keep meat tender and juicy.
- Customize vegetable choices and cooking times according to preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: vegetable beef soup, old-fashioned soup, hearty beef stew, comforting soup, gluten free soup
