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Few meals carry the same comfort as a steaming bowl of homemade vegetable beef soup. It is the kind of dish that warms your hands, fills your belly, and settles your soul. For many older Americans, soups like this recall Sunday dinners, farmhouse kitchens, or evenings when the whole family gathered around the table with simple, hearty food that stretched to feed everyone.
This easy vegetable beef soup recipe combines tender chunks of beef, colorful garden vegetables, and a rich, seasoned broth. It simmers slowly, allowing every ingredient to release its flavor, until the result is both deeply satisfying and wholesome. Best of all, it is a true one-pot meal — no need for fancy gadgets or complicated steps. Just a sturdy pot, fresh ingredients, and a little patience.
Whether you’re cooking for two or preparing a pot to share with neighbors, this recipe makes plenty — and leftovers taste even better the next day.
Why Seniors Love This Recipe
There’s something timeless about a hearty beef stew with vegetables. It is:
- Nutritious and balanced — packed with protein, fiber, and vitamins from the beef and vegetables.
- Easy on digestion — long simmering makes the beef tender and the vegetables soft, ideal for all ages.
- Budget-friendly — a few pounds of stew meat and inexpensive pantry staples can feed a family for days.
- Freezer-friendly — you can portion leftovers into freezer containers for quick, homemade meals later.
Most importantly, it’s food that feels like home. For older generations, it is comfort food at its best.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe calls for simple, recognizable ingredients you can find in any grocery store. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1½ pounds beef stew meat (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 2½ tablespoons olive oil, divided
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped (about 1¾ cups)
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and chopped (about 1¼ cups)
- 3 celery stalks, chopped (about 1 cup)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced (about 1½ tablespoons)
- 8 cups low-sodium beef or chicken broth
- 2 cans (14 oz each) diced tomatoes, with juice
- 1½ teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 pound red or yellow potatoes, diced
- 1½ cups green beans, trimmed and chopped (about 5 oz)
- 1½ cups frozen corn
- 1 cup frozen peas
- ⅓ cup fresh parsley, chopped
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Cooking homemade vegetable beef soup is more about patience than skill. The reward is a pot full of rich aromas and a meal that tastes like it’s been made with love.
Step 1: Brown the Beef
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Pat the stew meat dry with paper towels — this helps it sear instead of steam. Season with salt and pepper, then sear half the beef until browned on both sides (about 4 minutes total). Transfer to a plate.
Add another ½ tablespoon of oil and repeat with the remaining beef. Browning the meat builds flavor for the entire soup.
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics
Pour another tablespoon of oil into the pot. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften slightly. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more. The aroma will tell you it’s ready.
Step 3: Build the Broth
Pour in the broth and canned tomatoes with their juice. Return the browned beef to the pot. Add the dried basil, oregano, thyme, and additional salt and pepper to taste. Stir well.
Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then lower the heat. Cover and let it simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. This stage lets the broth absorb the flavors of the herbs and meat.
Step 4: Add the Potatoes
Stir in the diced potatoes. Continue simmering, covered, for another 20 minutes. The potatoes will soften and help thicken the broth slightly.
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