Description
Hearty beef vegetable soup blends rich meat flavors with garden-fresh ingredients for a comforting meal. Home cooks can savor this classic recipe that warms both body and soul with each nourishing spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) boneless beef chuck or stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 lb (454 g) Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 6 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 1 can (14 oz/396 g) diced tomatoes with juice
- 2 large carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp salt, plus more to taste
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Seasoning Preparation: Generously coat beef cubes with salt and pepper to enhance flavor penetration.
- Meat Searing: Heat olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat, then carefully sear beef until a golden-brown crust forms on all sides, approximately 4-5 minutes per side.
- Aromatic Base Creation: Remove beef and use the same pot to sauté diced onions, carrots, celery, and minced garlic until vegetables soften and release their fragrant essence, about 4-5 minutes.
- Liquid Integration: Return seared beef to the pot, then pour in beef broth, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, and sprinkle dried basil, oregano, and thyme to build a robust flavor foundation.
- Potato and Pea Addition: Introduce cubed potatoes and stir thoroughly, allowing them to absorb the rich seasonings while creating a hearty texture.
- Simmering Process: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and cover, allowing the soup to gently simmer for 50-55 minutes until beef becomes fork-tender and vegetables are perfectly cooked.
- Final Touches: Stir in frozen peas during the last few minutes of cooking, taste and adjust seasonings as needed, then garnish with fresh parsley before serving alongside crusty bread.
Notes
- Meat Selection Matters: Choose chuck roast or stew beef with marbling for maximum tenderness and rich flavor during slow cooking.
- Searing Technique: Brown meat thoroughly to develop deep caramelized edges, creating a robust flavor foundation that enhances the entire soup’s taste profile.
- Herb Balance: Use fresh herbs if possible, as they provide more vibrant and complex flavor compared to dried alternatives, elevating the soup’s overall taste experience.
- Low and Slow Cooking: Maintain a gentle simmer instead of aggressive boiling to ensure meat becomes fork-tender without becoming tough or stringy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg