My Mom’s Classic Vegetable Beef Soup Recipe – Cozy Comfort in a Bowl

Memories of my mom’s hearty vegetable beef soup always transport me back to cozy winter evenings.

Warm aromas would fill our kitchen, promising comfort in every spoonful.

Tender chunks of beef mingled with colorful vegetables, creating a soul-satisfying meal that spoke of love and tradition.

Rich broth simmered slowly, blending flavors into a harmonious symphony of taste.

Childhood nostalgia rushes back with each carefully chopped ingredient, reminding me of her patient cooking style.

Generations of family wisdom are captured in this simple yet magnificent recipe.

You’ll want to savor every delicious bite and create your own cherished memories.

Key Ingredients for This Hearty Soup

• Beef: A hearty and flavorful meat that provides rich depth to the soup.

• Onion, Garlic, Celery: A classic flavor base that adds warmth and complexity to the soup.

• Carrots, Potatoes, Green Beans, Corn: Fresh vegetables that contribute texture, nutrition, and sweetness to the dish.

• Beef Broth: A savory liquid that creates the soup's foundation and enhances overall flavor.
• Diced Tomatoes: Adds acidity and rich tomato flavor to the soup.
• Bay Leaf: A traditional herb that provides a subtle, aromatic background note.

• Olive Oil: Used for initial cooking and adding a light, smooth base.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance the soup's overall taste.

How to Make Mom’s Vegetable Beef Soup

Step 1: Brown the Beef

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Carefully place beef pieces into the hot oil and cook, turning occasionally, until each side develops a rich, golden-brown color that locks in delicious flavors.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

• Onion
• Garlic
• Celery

Sauté the vegetables until they become soft and release their fragrant aroma, creating a flavorful base for the soup.

Step 3: Create the Soup Base

• Carrots
• Potatoes
• Diced tomatoes
• Bay leaf

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, allowing all the flavors to start melding together.

Step 4: Slow Simmer the Soup

Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the soup gently simmer. This slow cooking process helps tenderize the beef and develop deep, rich flavors.

Cook for approximately 1.5 hours until the beef becomes incredibly tender and almost falling apart.

Step 5: Add Final Vegetables

• Green beans
• Corn

Continue simmering for an additional 20-30 minutes, allowing the new vegetables to become perfectly cooked and blend with the existing soup flavors.

Step 6: Season and Serve

Taste the soup and season with salt and pepper to your liking. Remove the bay leaf before ladling the soup into bowls.

The result is a hearty, comforting meal packed with tender beef and a variety of delicious vegetables.

Tips for Flavorful and Balanced Soup

• Select lean cuts of beef for a healthier soup with less fat and better texture. Trim excess fat before browning to reduce greasiness and enhance overall flavor profile. Boost nutritional value by adding extra vegetables like spinach or kale during the last 20 minutes of cooking. Use homemade beef broth for richer taste, but store-bought low-sodium options work perfectly fine. Freeze leftover soup in airtight containers for up to 3 months, ensuring a quick and delicious meal is always ready when needed.

Flavor Twists to Try on the Classic Recipe

• Slow Cooker Version: Transfer browned beef, vegetables, and broth to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours until meat is tender and vegetables are soft.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace regular beef broth with certified gluten-free beef broth. Ensure all canned ingredients are gluten-free certified.
• Lean Protein Option: Substitute beef chuck with lean ground turkey or chicken for a lower-fat alternative. Adjust cooking time to prevent overcooking.
• Vegetarian Transformation: Replace beef with plant-based protein like lentils or cubed tofu. Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth and add extra herbs for depth of flavor.

Serving Suggestions for Family Meals

• Cozy Family Dinner Companion: Pair this hearty soup with warm, crusty sourdough bread for dipping, creating a perfect comfort meal that brings everyone together around the table.
• Rustic Farmhouse Style Serving: Ladle the soup into deep ceramic bowls, garnish with fresh chopped parsley, and serve alongside a simple green salad for a balanced, nutritious dinner experience.
• Winter Wellness Meal Prep: Pack individual portions in mason jars for easy lunch options during cold weeks, keeping the soup fresh and ready to reheat at work or home with minimal effort.
• Hearty Weekend Gathering Centerpiece: Present the soup in a large cast-iron pot at the center of the table, allowing guests to serve themselves family-style and enjoy the rich, homemade flavors together.

Storage Tips for Vegetable Beef Soup

• Refrigerate leftover soup in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking to prevent bacterial growth.
• Store soup in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, ensuring it's covered tightly to maintain freshness.
• Freeze soup in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags for up to 3 months.
• Label containers with the date to track storage time accurately.

FAQs

• What type of beef works best for this soup?

Chuck roast or stew meat are ideal because they become tender and flavorful when slow-cooked, adding rich taste to the soup.

• Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?

Yes, simply brown the meat first, then add all ingredients to the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours until beef is tender and vegetables are soft.

• Is this soup nutritionally balanced?

Absolutely! The recipe includes protein from beef, multiple vegetables providing vitamins and minerals, and creates a hearty, well-rounded meal that offers excellent nutritional value.

• How can I make the soup more filling?

Add barley or small pasta during the last 30 minutes of cooking to increase the soup’s heartiness and provide extra substance to the dish.

Why Mom’s Old-Fashioned Vegetable Beef Soup Is a Classic

• Craft Hearty Comfort: Dive into a soul-warming soup packed with tender beef and colorful vegetables that hugs your taste buds like a warm blanket.
• Simplify Cooking: Minimal prep work and straightforward steps make this recipe perfect for home cooks of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned chefs.
• Nourish Your Family: A nutritious one-pot meal loaded with protein and vegetables that satisfies hunger and provides essential nutrients for growing kids and adults.
• Budget-Friendly Delight: Economical ingredients combined with a long-cooking method transform affordable cuts of beef into a rich, satisfying meal that stretches your grocery budget.

Hearty Vegetable Beef Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty mom’s old-fashioned vegetable beef soup blends tender meat with garden-fresh vegetables in a rich, savory broth. Comforting generations of families, this classic recipe brings warmth and nourishment you’ll savor with each spoonful.

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Ingredients

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Meat and Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) beef stew meat, cubed
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Vegetables:

• 3 potatoes, diced
• 2 large carrots, sliced
• 3 celery stalks, sliced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut
• 1 cup corn kernels
• 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 ounces / 411 grams)

Liquid and Seasonings:

• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Sear the beef chunks in heated olive oil over medium heat until a rich, golden-brown crust develops on all surfaces.
2. Incorporate finely chopped onions, minced garlic, and diced celery into the pot, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and fragrant.
3. Pour beef broth into the pot, then add sliced carrots, cubed potatoes, diced tomatoes, and a single bay leaf. Elevate heat and bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
4. Reduce temperature to low, cover the pot, and allow the soup to gently simmer for approximately 90 minutes, ensuring the beef becomes exceptionally tender and soft.
5. Introduce fresh green beans and sweet corn kernels into the simmering liquid, continuing to cook for an additional 25 minutes until vegetables reach desired tenderness.
6. Carefully taste the soup, adjusting seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the overall flavor profile.
7. Extract and discard the bay leaf before ladling the hearty soup into warm serving bowls, ensuring each portion contains a balanced mix of meat and vegetables.

Notes

• Tenderize tough cuts of beef by cooking low and slow, allowing collagen to break down and create melt-in-your-mouth meat texture.
• Cut vegetables into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking and consistent flavor distribution throughout the soup.
• Use fresh or frozen vegetables interchangeably, but frozen corn and green beans work especially well for maintaining texture and convenience.
• Consider adding a splash of red wine or Worcestershire sauce during browning to enhance the beef’s rich, deep flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 207 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 520 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 17 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg