Welcome to the ultimate guide for making a truly satisfying Ground Beef and Vegetable Soup! This recipe is a culinary chameleon, incredibly easy to adapt whether you’re using up forgotten leftovers, making a fresh batch from scratch with ground beef you have on hand, or simply craving a wholesome, comforting meal. It’s the perfect, ingenious way to transform humble ingredients from your fridge, freezer, or pantry into a healthy, flavorful, and budget-friendly family dinner that everyone will adore.

On chilly evenings, or any time you need a warming, nutritious boost, there’s nothing quite like a steaming bowl of homemade soup. This Ground Beef and Vegetable Soup isn’t just a meal; it’s a hug in a bowl, packed with robust flavors, lean protein, and an abundance of essential vitamins and minerals. With our step-by-step instructions, you’ll discover how simple it is to create this delightful dish, promising a comforting culinary experience in minimal time, without the need for fancy kitchen gadgets.

Why You’ll Love This Ground Beef and Vegetable Soup

More than just a delicious meal, this soup offers a multitude of benefits that make it a staple in any kitchen:

• Nutrient-Packed: Loaded with lean ground beef for protein, and a vibrant medley of vegetables, this soup is a powerhouse of essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber. It’s an effortless way to ensure your family gets their daily intake of important nutrients.
• Remarkably Easy: Don’t let the rich flavor fool you; this soup is surprisingly simple to prepare. The process involves browning the beef, sautéing some aromatics, and then letting all the ingredients simmer together to meld their flavors. It’s ideal for busy weeknights!
• Budget-Friendly: Utilizing common pantry staples and affordable ground beef, this recipe is kind to your wallet. It’s a smart choice for making a substantial, satisfying meal without breaking the bank.
• Versatile and Adaptable: Got extra veggies? Want to try different beans? This recipe is incredibly forgiving and encourages customization. It’s a fantastic recipe for using up what you have.
• Ultimate Comfort Food: There’s something inherently comforting about a warm bowl of soup, especially one that’s hearty and full of good-for-you ingredients. It’s perfect for cold weather, a pick-me-up, or simply a cozy family dinner.

Key Ingredients for a Flavorful Foundation

The magic of this soup lies in its thoughtful combination of simple yet impactful ingredients. Let’s explore the stars of the show and how they contribute to this hearty dish:

The Protein Powerhouse: Ground Beef

Lean ground beef forms the robust base of our soup, providing a satisfying texture and rich flavor. Opting for a lean variety helps keep the soup healthy without sacrificing taste. The browning process is crucial here, as it develops deep, savory notes that infuse the entire pot.

A Rainbow of Vegetables for Nutrition and Taste

This recipe calls for a classic trio of onion, celery, and carrots, known as mirepoix, which forms the aromatic foundation. Garlic adds a pungent depth that complements the beef and vegetables beautifully. Beyond these staples, we integrate a wide variety of canned and frozen vegetables and beans, ensuring a broad spectrum of nutrients and textures:

• Root Vegetables: Carrots and celery bring a sweet earthiness and tender bite.
• Canned Tomatoes: Diced tomatoes add a tangy, acidic brightness that cuts through the richness of the beef and enhances the overall flavor profile.
• Beans Galore: Red kidney beans, cannellini beans, great Northern beans, and green beans contribute significant fiber, protein, and a satisfying heartiness. They absorb the broth’s flavors, becoming wonderfully tender.
• Frozen Favorites: Peas, lima beans, and sliced okra add pops of color and fresh, tender textures right at the end of cooking, ensuring they don’t become overcooked and mushy.

The Liquid Gold: Broths and Juices

We use a combination of low-sodium vegetable juice (like V8®) and reduced-sodium beef broth. This blend creates a complex, savory liquid base that is both rich and well-balanced. The vegetable juice adds an extra layer of hidden vegetable goodness and a unique flavor profile that sets this soup apart.

Aromatic Herbs and Spices

Italian seasoning, beef bouillon cubes, ground thyme, and a hint of cayenne pepper (for a subtle warmth, not necessarily heat) are the key players in our spice blend. These seasonings work in harmony to elevate the beef and vegetable flavors, giving the soup its signature comforting taste. Salt and black pepper are, of course, essential for seasoning to perfection.

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Nothing is better than a hearty bowl of ground beef and vegetable soup on a chilly day. This recipe is loaded with flavor and packed with nutrients like protein, vitamins, and minerals. Making this delicious soup is surprisingly simple and doesn’t require any special kitchen gadgets. Here’s what you’ll need and how to make it:

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• large yellow onions, diced

• 6 stalks celery, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

• 4 carrots, sliced 1/8-inch thick

• 3 cloves garlic, chopped

• 2 1/2 pounds lean ground beef

• 46 ounces low-sodium vegetable juice (such as V8®)

• 46 ounces reduced-sodium beef broth

• 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes

• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

• 2 cubes beef bouillon

• 1 teaspoon ground thyme

• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

• salt and pepper to taste

• 1 (15.25 ounce) can yellow corn, drained

• 1 (15.25 ounce) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

• 1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

• 1 (15 ounce) can great Northern beans, drained and rinsed

• 1 (14.5 ounce) can cut green beans, drained

• 8 ounces frozen peas

• 8 ounces frozen lima beans

• 8 ounces frozen sliced okra

Directions

• Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics. Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion, celery, and sliced carrots. Cook and stir these vegetables, allowing them to soften and release their natural sweetness, for about 6 to 8 minutes. They should be tender but not browned. Next, stir in the chopped garlic and cook for another minute until it becomes fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter. Remove the pot from the heat briefly.

• Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef. While the aromatics are cooking, heat a separate large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the lean ground beef to the hot skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook the beef in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan, which can steam the meat instead of browning it. Stir occasionally until the beef is thoroughly browned and crumbly, usually 5 to 10 minutes. Once cooked, use a slotted spoon to transfer the browned beef to the pot with the sautéed onion mixture, leaving any excess fat behind in the skillet. This helps keep the soup lighter.

• Step 3: Simmer for Deep Flavor. Return the large pot with the onion-beef mixture to medium heat. Pour in the low-sodium vegetable juice and reduced-sodium beef broth. Stir in the canned diced tomatoes (undrained), Italian seasoning, beef bouillon cubes, ground thyme, cayenne pepper, and season generously with salt and black pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for at least 1 hour. This extended simmering time is crucial for allowing all the flavors to meld beautifully and for the vegetables to become wonderfully tender.

• Step 4: Add Remaining Vegetables and Finish. After the initial simmering, stir in the drained yellow corn, drained and rinsed red kidney beans, cannellini beans, great Northern beans, drained cut green beans, frozen peas, frozen lima beans, and frozen sliced okra. Bring the soup back to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and continue to simmer for about 10 minutes, or until all the newly added vegetables are heated through and tender-crisp. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed before serving. Enjoy your hearty, homemade Ground Beef and Vegetable Soup!