When you need a warm, filling meal that is easy to prepare, Vegetable Beef Soup is a classic choice. Tender ground beef, colorful vegetables, savory broth, and simple seasonings come together in one comforting pot. It is hearty enough for dinner but simple enough to make on a busy weeknight.
This homemade soup is flexible, budget-friendly, and packed with familiar ingredients. If you enjoy vegetable soup recipes easy enough for everyday cooking, this recipe is one to keep on hand. You can use fresh or frozen vegetables depending on what you have available, making it especially convenient when cleaning out the refrigerator.
Why Make Vegetable Beef Soup?
There is something comforting about a homemade bowl of soup simmering on the stove. The beef adds richness, while potatoes, carrots, green beans, corn, and tomatoes create a satisfying combination of flavors and textures.
This is an easy vegetable beef soup because everything cooks together in one large pot. After browning the beef and sautéing the aromatics, you simply add the broth and vegetables and let the soup simmer until everything is tender.
If you prefer ground beef, this recipe is similar to a classic hamburger vegetable soup. It uses ground beef instead of large pieces of stew meat, so there is no need to spend extra time cutting and browning chunks of beef.
How to Make Vegetable Beef Soup
Start by browning ground beef in a large Dutch oven or soup pot. Break it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks so you get small pieces throughout the soup. Drain excess grease if necessary.
Next, add diced onion and garlic. Cooking these aromatics with the beef builds a flavorful base for the broth.
Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, potatoes, carrots, green beans, corn, and seasonings. Bring everything to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and allow the soup to simmer.
As the vegetables cook, the potatoes become tender and the broth develops a rich, savory flavor. The beef and vegetables create a complete meal without requiring complicated preparation.
Ingredients
For this ground beef vegetable soup recipe, you will need:
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 6 cups beef broth
- 3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 1 cup green beans, cut into small pieces
- 1 cup corn, fresh or frozen
- 1 cup peas, fresh or frozen
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
You can easily substitute vegetables based on what you have. Celery, zucchini, spinach, cabbage, or bell peppers can all work well.
Directions
- Brown the beef: Heat a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking it into small pieces until browned. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Cook the aromatics: Add the diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Build the tomato base: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for about 1 minute. Add the diced tomatoes and stir to combine.
- Add the broth: Pour in the beef broth and stir well, scraping any flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Add vegetables: Stir in the potatoes, carrots, green beans, corn, peas, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, pepper, and bay leaf.
- Simmer: Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover partially and simmer for about 25–30 minutes, or until the potatoes and carrots are tender.
- Adjust the seasoning: Remove the bay leaf. Taste the soup and add additional salt or pepper if needed.
- Finish: Stir in fresh parsley just before serving.
- Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and serve with crusty bread, dinner rolls, or crackers.
How to Serve
This Vegetable Beef Soup is hearty enough to serve as a complete meal. A slice of crusty bread is perfect for soaking up the savory tomato broth.
You can also serve it with a simple green salad, garlic bread, cornbread, or homemade dinner rolls. For a family-style dinner, place the soup in a large serving pot and let everyone add their favorite toppings.
A sprinkle of fresh parsley, shredded Parmesan, or freshly ground black pepper adds a nice finishing touch.
Tips for the Best Vegetable Beef Soup
Use lean ground beef: Lean beef provides plenty of flavor without making the broth excessively greasy.
Cut vegetables evenly: Similar-sized pieces cook more evenly and make the soup easier to eat.
Don’t overcook the vegetables: Start checking the potatoes and carrots toward the end of the simmering time.
Use frozen vegetables: Frozen peas and corn are convenient and work especially well in this recipe.
Make it thicker: Simmer the soup uncovered for several additional minutes if you prefer a thicker consistency.
Add more flavor: A small splash of Worcestershire sauce can add extra savory depth.
FAQs
Is this the same as hamburger vegetable soup?
It is very similar. A hamburger vegetable soup typically uses ground beef along with vegetables and broth, while variations differ in their seasonings and vegetable combinations.
Can I use other vegetables?
Absolutely. This recipe is very flexible. Try adding celery, zucchini, cabbage, bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms.
Can I make this ground beef vegetable soup recipe ahead of time?
Yes. In fact, the flavors can become even more developed after the soup sits. Store it in the refrigerator and gently reheat before serving.
How is this different from broccoli cheddar soup?
Broccoli cheddar soup is generally a creamy soup centered around broccoli and cheddar cheese. This Vegetable Beef Soup has a tomato-based broth with ground beef and a variety of vegetables, giving it a completely different flavor and texture.
Can I freeze Vegetable Beef Soup?
Yes. Allow the soup to cool completely, then transfer it to freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop.
Final Thoughts
This Vegetable Beef Soup is a simple, hearty recipe that turns everyday ingredients into a satisfying homemade dinner. Ground beef provides savory flavor, while potatoes, carrots, green beans, corn, and peas make every bowl colorful and filling.
Whether you’re looking for an easy vegetable beef soup, a comforting hamburger vegetable soup, or a versatile ground beef vegetable soup recipe, this one-pot meal is an excellent addition to your collection of vegetable soup recipes easy enough for busy weeknights.
Serve it with warm bread and enjoy a cozy bowl whenever you’re craving a classic homemade soup.
Vegetable Beef Soup
Ingredients
Method
- Heat a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking it apart with a spoon until browned. Drain excess grease if necessary.
- Add the diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the diced tomatoes and beef broth. Stir well, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Add the potatoes, carrots, green beans, corn, peas, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, pepper, and bay leaf.
- Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low.
- Partially cover and simmer for 25–30 minutes, or until the potatoes and carrots are tender.
- Remove the bay leaf and taste the soup. Adjust the salt and pepper as needed.
- Stir in the fresh parsley.
- Ladle the hot soup into bowls and serve with crusty bread, dinner rolls, or crackers.
Notes
Cut the vegetables into similar-sized pieces so they cook evenly.
Fresh or frozen peas and corn can be used.
Add celery, zucchini, cabbage, mushrooms, or bell peppers for additional vegetables.
For extra savory flavor, add a small splash of Worcestershire sauce.
Simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes if you prefer a thicker soup.
This recipe is similar to a classic hamburger vegetable soup because it uses ground beef instead of large pieces of stew meat.
