If you are craving a comforting and hearty meal that feels like a warm hug in a bowl, the Crock Pot Vegetable Beef Soup Recipe is your new best friend. This soup brings together tender beef, vibrant vegetables, and a rich broth that simmers to perfection all day, making your home smell amazing and your taste buds dance with delight. Each spoonful offers a perfect balance of flavors and textures, with wholesome nutrients that nourish your body while satisfying your soul. Whether you’re easing into a chilly evening or looking for a simple yet impressive dish to share, this Crock Pot Vegetable Beef Soup Recipe will quickly become a go-to in your kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Crock Pot Vegetable Beef Soup Recipe lies in its simple, wholesome ingredients. Each one plays a crucial role in layering flavors, adding textures, and creating the vibrant color palette that makes this soup so inviting. From the tender beef to the fresh vegetables and fragrant herbs, these ingredients come together perfectly in the slow cooker.
- Beef stew meat, 1 pound: Cut into 1-inch pieces for tender, flavorful chunks that melt in your mouth after slow cooking.
- Beef broth, 4 cups: Creates a deep, savory base that enriches the soup and complements the beef beautifully.
- Water, 2 cups: Balances the broth to give just the right consistency without overwhelming the flavors.
- Medium onion, chopped: Adds sweetness and depth after sautéing, boosting the comfort factor.
- Garlic cloves, 3 minced: Lends a warm, aromatic punch that makes each bite irresistible.
- Carrots, 3 sliced: Provide natural sweetness and a satisfying crunch once softened.
- Celery ribs, 2 sliced: Deliver a subtle earthiness and a fresh contrast to the rich broth.
- Potatoes, 2 medium diced: Hearty and filling, they absorb the flavors and add a comforting texture.
- Canned diced tomatoes (14.5 oz), undrained: Bring acidity and a lovely color, brightening up the soup’s richness.
- Frozen green beans, 1 cup: Maintain a touch of freshness and a pop of green that livens up the dish.
- Frozen corn, 1 cup: Offers bursts of sweetness and a delightful chewiness to balance the vegetables.
- Dried thyme, 1 teaspoon: Infuses a subtle herbal note that rounds out the soup’s flavor profile.
- Dried oregano, 1 teaspoon: Adds an earthy complexity that pairs wonderfully with the thyme and beef.
- Bay leaf, 1: Slow simmers a fragrant aroma into the broth for depth and richness.
- Salt and pepper, to taste: Essential seasonings that bring all the flavors together and enhance each ingredient.
- Olive oil, 2 tablespoons: Used for browning the beef and sautéing veggies, ensuring maximum flavor development.
How to Make Crock Pot Vegetable Beef Soup Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Beef
Start by heating olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once it’s shimmering, add the beef stew meat. Browning the beef on all sides for about 5 to 7 minutes seals in the juices and develops those rich, savory flavors that are crucial to this soup’s deliciousness.
Step 2: Sauté Onions and Garlic
After transferring the browned beef into your crock pot, use the same skillet to sauté chopped onions and minced garlic for 2 to 3 minutes. This little step releases their sweetness and aroma, adding an irresistible base that will marry beautifully with your beef broth and vegetables.
Step 3: Combine Ingredients in the Crock Pot
Pour the sautéed onion and garlic mixture into the crock pot over the beef. Next, add the beef broth and water to build the soup’s base. Toss in the sliced carrots, celery, diced potatoes, canned tomatoes with their juice, frozen green beans, and corn. Sprinkle in the dried thyme, oregano, and bay leaf. Don’t forget to season with salt and pepper to taste. Give everything a good stir to combine all those fantastic layers.
Step 4: Slow Cook to Perfection
Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. The slow cooking method tenderizes the beef until it’s fork-tender and allows the vegetables to soak up all those savory juices, creating a soup that’s nothing short of soul-satisfying.
Step 5: Final Seasoning Adjustments
Once the cooking time is up, taste your soup to check the seasoning. Adjust salt and pepper if needed, and be sure to remove the bay leaf before serving. This finishing touch ensures the soup is perfectly balanced and ready to enjoy.
How to Serve Crock Pot Vegetable Beef Soup Recipe
Garnishes
Elevate your Crock Pot Vegetable Beef Soup Recipe with fresh garnishes like chopped parsley or a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese. A dollop of sour cream or a swirl of pesto can also add an exciting twist, giving each bowl a fresh burst of flavor and color that complements the hearty base.
Side Dishes
This soup shines when paired with crusty bread or warm dinner rolls that you can dunk into the broth, soaking up every last drop. A crisp side salad with a zesty vinaigrette adds a refreshing contrast, balancing the warm, hearty richness of the soup for a complete meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve the soup in rustic bowls for a cozy feel or in mason jars to make lunchtime fun and portable. For a charming touch, top each serving with a sprinkle of fresh herbs and a few cracked black peppercorns. You might even try ladling it over cooked rice or noodles for a twist on how to enjoy this classic recipe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let your Crock Pot Vegetable Beef Soup Recipe cool completely before transferring it to airtight containers. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to four days, where the flavors will actually deepen, making each subsequent meal even better.
Freezing
This soup freezes wonderfully. Portion it into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving room for expansion. It keeps for up to three months, letting you enjoy a comforting, home-cooked meal anytime you want with minimal effort.
Reheating
Reheat the soup gently on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. Avoid high heat to prevent overcooking the vegetables or toughening the beef. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave, stirring halfway through for even heating.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of beef for this soup?
Absolutely! While beef stew meat works best for tenderness, you can use chuck roast cut into chunks or even ground beef for a different texture. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly to ensure the meat becomes tender.
Is it possible to make this soup vegetarian or vegan?
Yes! Simply swap the beef broth with vegetable broth and omit the beef. You can add additional beans or lentils for protein, and the same mix of vegetables will keep the soup hearty and delicious.
Can I add other vegetables to this Crock Pot Vegetable Beef Soup Recipe?
Definitely. Feel free to toss in your favorites like peas, zucchini, or bell peppers. Just add them according to their cooking times to avoid over- or under-cooking.
How thick is the broth, and can I make it thicker?
The broth is light and brothy, designed to highlight the fresh ingredients. If you prefer a thicker soup, you can mash some of the potatoes in the pot or stir in a small slurry of cornstarch and water near the end of cooking.
What if I don’t have a crock pot? Can I make this soup on the stove?
Yes, you can make this soup in a large pot or Dutch oven on the stove. Brown the beef and sauté the vegetables the same way, then simmer everything over low heat for about 1.5 to 2 hours until the beef is tender.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly special about coming home to a pot of warm, hearty Crock Pot Vegetable Beef Soup Recipe simmering away, ready to nourish and comfort you. This soup offers both simplicity and depth of flavor that will win over any crowd, and it’s easy to customize to your liking. Give it a try—you might just find a new family favorite that brings a little extra warmth and joy to your table all year round.
Print
Crock Pot Vegetable Beef Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 0h 25m
- Cook Time: 7h 0m
- Total Time: 7h 25m
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Hearty and comforting Crock Pot Vegetable Beef Soup packed with tender beef, fresh vegetables, and rich flavors. This slow-cooked soup is perfect for an easy and nourishing meal, combining seared beef stew meat with a medley of carrots, celery, potatoes, green beans, and corn simmered in a savory beef broth base.
Ingredients
Meat and Broth
- 1 pound beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 cups water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Vegetables
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 medium carrots, sliced
- 2 ribs celery, sliced
- 2 medium potatoes, diced
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 cup frozen green beans
- 1 cup frozen corn
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Sear the Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add the beef stew meat, searing it on all sides for 5-7 minutes to develop rich, browned flavor.
- Transfer Beef to Crock Pot: Once browned, move the beef pieces into the crock pot to start building the soup base.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, add chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté 2-3 minutes until the onions become translucent and fragrant.
- Add Aromatics to Crock Pot: Transfer the sautéed onion and garlic mixture into the crock pot with the beef.
- Add Liquids: Pour in beef broth and water into the crock pot to create a flavorful cooking liquid for the soup.
- Add Vegetables: Add sliced carrots, celery, diced potatoes, canned tomatoes with their juice, frozen green beans, and corn to the crock pot.
- Season the Soup: Sprinkle dried thyme, dried oregano, and add the bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper according to your taste preferences.
- Combine Ingredients: Stir all ingredients gently to ensure even distribution of flavors and seasonings.
- Slow Cook: Cover the crock pot with its lid. Cook on low setting for 6-8 hours or on high setting for 3-4 hours, until the beef is tender and vegetables are fully cooked.
- Finish and Serve: Before serving, remove the bay leaf. Taste the soup and adjust seasonings if necessary for the perfect balance of flavors.
Notes
- For added richness, stir in a splash of red wine before slow cooking.
- You can substitute beef stew meat with chuck roast cut into chunks.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like peas or mushrooms based on preference.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Ensure to remove the bay leaf before serving to avoid an overpowering taste.
