Vegetable Beef Soup

Vegetable Beef Soup is the ultimate comforting soup! This recipe for Vegetable Beef Soup is made with tender chunks of beef and a rich broth filled with vegetables.

In case you don't have time to prepare this Old Fashioned Vegetable Beef Soup on the stove, I have included instructions for both the slow cooker and instant pot.

The Best Vegetable Beef Soup

Vegetable Beef Soup can be prepared in a million different ways, but my recipe is the absolute best for two reasons.

• The Flavor. My recipe for vegetable beef soup is richly flavored with red wine, Worcestershire sauce, oregano, thyme, and horseradish. The wine adds depth to the soup, the seasonings keep your palate intrigued, and the horseradish gives a subtle flavor to the soup while also helping to tenderize the beef.
• The Cooking Method for the Vegetables. I add the vegetables to the soup in stages. It sounds complicated, but it is just as easy as dumping, stirring, and simmering. This method prevents overcooked, soggy vegetables and gives the soup a fresher taste.

Bottom line--this is the ONLY recipe you need to make a Vegetable Beef Soup that is hearty, flavorful, comforting, and most importantly, loved by your family!

Notes on Ingredients

• Stew Meat: Purchase a package labeled stew meat, or a chuck or round roast and cut into 1-inch cubes. You may need to cut your stew meat if larger than 1-inch cubes.
• Red Wine: Red wine adds the most incredible depth of flavor to this soup. Select a good-quality dry red wine, such as a Pinot Noir, Merlot, or Cabernet, that is suitable to drinking. If you don't care for wine, feel free to use additional beef broth in place of the wine.
• Diced Tomatoes: If your family does not care for the texture of diced tomatoes, use one 14.5oz can of tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes in its place.
• Potatoes: I prefer Yukon Gold or yellow potatoes for this soup. However red or russet potatoes can be used as well. I would highly recommend peeling the potatoes if using russet potatoes. It is not necessary to peel red or yellow potatoes, unless desired.
• Peas: The peas are optional, but I love the sweetness and burst of flavor they add to the soup. Feel free to omit if desired.
• Green Beans: Use fresh trimmed green beans or frozen chopped green beans. While fresh tastes best, frozen work really well for soup.
• Horseradish: This may sound like an odd ingredient, but horseradish takes this soup above all other recipes for Beef and Vegetable Soup. It adds flavor and helps to tenderize the meat. Be sure to use prepared horseradish NOT horseradish sauce.
• Worcestershire Sauce: This gives the soup so much body and really helps to enhance the beefy flavor.

How to Make Vegetable Beef Soup

• Heat one tablespoon of oil in large heavy-bottomed stock pan over high heat. While the oil is heating, liberally season the beef with salt and pepper on each side.
• Add the seasoned meat to the heated oil and sear on each side until nice and browned, about 2 minutes per side. Once browned, transfer the beef to a plate to saute the veggies.

• After removing the beef, if the pot is dry, add in a bit more oil. Oftentimes I find that the beef has rendered off enough fat, I don't need the extra oil.
• Add the carrots, onions, and celery to the pan and saute until the onions become softened, about 2-4 minutes.
• Add in the garlic and saute for just 1 minute. It is really important to not add the garlic with the onions, carrots, and celery, as it can burn really quickly. And burnt garlic ruins a dish QUICKLY!
• Once the garlic is just sauted, add in the tomato paste and toast for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Toasting the tomato paste will help to really develop a rich tomato flavor.

• Slowly stir in the red wine, if using, and scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan. All those bits really add flavor to the soup. Let the wine cook for 1 minute, to let the alcohol evaporate. 
• Stir in the beef broth, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, oregano, thyme, , bay leaves, and seared beef back into the broth. Be sure to add any drippings that accumlated on the plate--that is a lot of flavor right there!
• Bring the soup to a boil and then reduce heat to medium-low to simmer. Cover the pot and simmer until the meat is tender, about 1 hour. Be sure to remove the lid and give the soup a good stir occasionally.

• One of my tricks to making the best Vegetable Beef Soup is to add the vegetables in stages, that way everything is perfectly cooked and the vegetables do not end up overcooked. Once the beef is tender, add in the cubed potatoes and simmer for 20 minutes. Then add in the green beans and simmer for 15 minutes. Then finally, add in the peas and simmer for 3-5 minutes. This will result in perfectly cooked veggies!

• Serve up this hearty soup and top with fresh parsley if desired. I love to pair it with crusty dutch oven bread or Italian bread to soak up all the delicious broth.

Slow Cooker Vegetable Beef Soup

This soup can easily be made in the crockpot, which is perfect when you don't have time to babysit a soup simmering on the stove.

To prepare slow cooker vegetable beef soup, sear the beef as directed on the stove. Once seared, add the seared beef to the slow cooker. Add in the minced onion, carrots, celery, celery, tomato paste, red wine, beef broth, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, potatoes, green beans, oregano, thyme, and bay leaves. Give everything a good stir. Cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-5 hours. Stir in the peas to warm through right before serving.

Instant Pot Vegetable Beef Soup

I love using the Instant Pot to prepare soups, however, Vegetable Beef Soup is one recipe I prefer using the stovetop or slow cooker, so I can have more control over how the vegetables cook. However, the soup is still pretty good when prepared in the Instant Pot.

To prepare Instant Pot Vegetable Beef Soup, use the saute function to saute the seasoned stew meat, onions, carrots, celery, and garlic. Once the beef is browned, add in the tomato paste and toast for 30 seconds. Then deglaze the inner pot with the wine, being sure to scrape up any browned bits off the inner pot. Turn the saute function off, then stir in the beef broth, diced tomatoes, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, potatoes, green beans, oregano, thyme, and bay leaves. Set the cooking time to 10 minutes on high pressure, with a natural pressure release of at least 15 minutes. Once the pressure has been released, open the inner pot and stir in the peas. Pop the lid back on the inner pot and let the peas warm through, for about 3-5 minutes, and then serve.

Storing & Reheating Leftovers

I absolutely love having leftover Vegetable Beef Soup, as reheats and freezes beautifully. In fact, I often make a double batch--in a big old pot, as this soup is a perfect make-ahead recipe.

Store cooled leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat a large batch of soup on the stove over medium-low heat until warmed through or microwave individual servings in heat-safe bowls for 1-2 minutes.

To freeze Vegetable Beef Soup, allow the soup to cool, then transfer to a freezer-safe container, leaving 1-inch room for expansion. Freeze the soup for up to 3 months. To reheat Vegetable Beef Soup, allow the frozen soup to defrost in the refrigerator and then reheat in a large pot on the stove over medium-low heat until warmed through.

Recipe FAQs/Modifications

More Hearty Soup Recipes

• Lasagna Soup
• Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup
• Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup
• Baked Potato Soup

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