Homemade Beef Vegetable Soup: A Comforting and Nutritious Classic – Page 2

How to Make Homemade Beef Vegetable Soup

Follow these easy steps to create a comforting and delicious beef vegetable soup:

Sear the Beef: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the beef stew meat, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned on all sides. This step adds flavor to the soup. Once browned, remove the beef from the pot and set it aside.
Sauté the Vegetables: In the same pot, add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables start to soften. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Deglaze the Pot: Pour in a little beef broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot for extra flavor.
Add Remaining Ingredients: Return the beef to the pot. Add the potatoes, green beans, diced tomatoes, remaining beef broth, bay leaves, thyme, and parsley. Stir to combine.
Simmer: Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beef and vegetables are tender.
Season and Serve: Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Remove the bay leaves before serving. Ladle the soup into bowls and enjoy hot with your favorite side.

Browning the Beef: Take the time to brown the beef well; this adds depth to the flavor of the soup.
Low and Slow: Let the soup simmer on low for at least an hour. The flavors develop beautifully with time, and the beef becomes tender.
Consistency: For a thicker soup, add a little flour or cornstarch mixed with water to the broth toward the end of cooking.

Low-Carb Option: Skip the potatoes and add extra low-carb veggies like zucchini or spinach.
Add More Veggies: Corn, peas, bell peppers, and even butternut squash are great additions to this soup.
Different Proteins: Try using ground beef, chicken, or even turkey for a twist on the classic beef soup.
Spicy Version: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for a bit of heat.

This soup is ideal for meal prep and storing:

In the Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
In the Freezer: Beef vegetable soup freezes well! Let it cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat on the stovetop.

Homemade Beef Vegetable Soup is delicious on its own, but you can pair it with these sides for a complete meal: