Homemade Vegetable Beef Soup is a hearty and comforting dish, perfect for chilly days or when you’re in need of a warm, nutritious meal. This soup is loaded with tender beef, a variety of vegetables, and a rich, flavorful broth. It’s a versatile recipe, so feel free to adjust the vegetables based on what you have on hand or prefer. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb (450g) stewing beef, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 stalks celery, sliced
- 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup corn kernels (frozen or fresh)
- 1 cup peas (frozen or fresh)
- 1 large potato, peeled and cubed
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, with their juice
- 6 cups beef broth
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- Brown the Beef:
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the beef cubes and season with a little salt and pepper. Brown the beef on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the beef from the pot and set aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables:
- In the same pot, add the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Sauté until the vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes.
- Deglaze the Pot:
- Add a splash of the beef broth to the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon.
- Add Remaining Ingredients:
- Return the beef to the pot along with the green beans, corn, peas, potato, diced tomatoes, the rest of the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaf. Stir to combine.
- Simmer the Soup:
- Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover. Let the soup simmer for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until the beef is tender.
- Adjust Seasonings:
- After the soup has simmered and the beef is tender, taste and adjust the seasonings with more salt and pepper if needed. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
- Serve:
- Serve the soup hot, with crusty bread on the side if desired.
Tips for Success:
- Beef Choice: Stewing beef is ideal for this soup as the long cooking time makes it tender. Chuck roast cut into cubes is also a great option.
- Variety of Vegetables: Feel free to use any vegetables you like or have on hand. Zucchini, yellow squash, turnips, and kale are all excellent additions.
- Thickening the Soup: If you prefer a thicker soup, you can mash some of the potatoes against the side of the pot or add a slurry of cornstarch and water during the last few minutes of cooking.
- Making Ahead: This soup tastes even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld. It also freezes well for future meals.
Enjoy your homemade Vegetable Beef Soup, a comforting bowl full of flavor and nutrition that’s sure to warm you up from the inside out.