The Best Hearty Beef Vegetable Soup

The best hearty beef vegetable soup is rich and flavorful, ideal for any season. It combines lean stew meat with a variety of vegetables and spices, cooked in a slow cooker or pressure cooker. This soup, described as a ‘stoup’ due to its thickness, is a fulfilling meal that appeals to all.

Many people associate a certain food or drink with a season. Such as pumpkin and apple cider in the fall.

Hot cocoa and a bowl of hot soup in the winter. Or spaghetti with a meat sauce.

You get the picture. But to me, a bowl of hearty beef vegetable soup is good any time of the year.

This soup is more like a stoup. Not as thick as a stew and not as thin as a soup.

Therefore, stoup. I first heard this term from a popular television cook and it fits the description of this hearty beef vegetable soup quite nicely.

I always make too much no matter how I try to cut it down. But that is okay because I know it will get eaten.

I have one grandson who loves this soup so I know I can always send some his way.

Slow Cooker or Pressure Cooker

Depending on your schedule for the day, this “stoup” can be made in the slow cooker or the pressure cooker. Many times I have not had the time to prep the ingredients to go into the slow cooker for that all-day cooking, and have found it was just as easy to make this recipe and cook in the pressure cooker for a meal on the table in one hour.

After prepping of course! I have found that the taste is the same no matter which way you decide.

Slow cooker or pressure cooker.

The Meat for Hearty Beef Vegetable Soup

My favorite meat to use in this soup is lean beef stew meat. I love my meat and a soup should have meat that you can bite into.

I used to work in long-term care and the cooks had to shred the meat for the residents who cannot chew. I dread the day that I can no longer bite into a nice piece of meat.

I think that’s what makes the soup, besides the broth of course.

Vegetables, Fresh, Frozen or Canned

I have used all three. Fresh, frozen, and canned.

Buying fresh vegetables can be expensive. If you have a garden, that’s great, but many don’t.

There is always the farmers market, but depending on where you live and the season, this may not be an option. The next best thing is frozen vegetables.

I do not buy a bag of mixed vegetables. I buy individual bags of corn, green beans, and peas.

Depending on how much you want to make, it may not take the whole bag. With my daughter gone and on our own, I have had to downsize my cooking to two.

And let me tell you it is not always easy. Even after 15 years, I still find myself cooking too much for just me and my husband.

My daughter and her family get quite a bit of our leftovers. But with a child themselves, they welcome grandma’s leftovers.

The last choice is canned vegetables. In a pinch, I have used canned vegetables.

The thing you have to remember is to drain and rinse them. You don’t want all that extra liquid diluting that wonderful hearty soup.

The thing about using canned vegetables is that they can make your soup “mushy”. But honestly, I have used all three at one time or another.

I just prefer frozen!

The Ingredients for Hearty Beef Vegetable Soup

• 1 pound lean stew meat
• 3 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1/2 head of a large cabbage, cut up
• 1 cup frozen green beans
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 3 medium potatoes, cubed
• 46-ounce can of vegetable juice
• 1 packet McCormick beef stew seasoning
• 1 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon ground rosemary
• 1 teaspoon ground thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions for This Amazing Hearty Beef Vegetable Soup

In a small bowl, mix flour, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Rinse the stew meat and then dredge it with the flour mixture.

Yes, dredge. I didn’t know what this term meant.

Thought I needed a certain kitchen tool to perform this task! Go here for some explanations of common terms used in recipes and cooking.

Brown stew meat in a skillet with 2 tablespoons of oil. Brown meat in batches.

Do not overcrowd the meat.

In your crockpot or pressure cooker, add all the vegetables, browned meat, vegetable juice, and a packet of McCormick beef stew seasoning. Add salt and pepper to taste and 1 tablespoon parsley flakes.

Mix well and if in a crockpot, cook on low for 6-8 hours. In a pressure cooker, I used the stew setting.

This will cook for 30 minutes after the cooker has come up to pressure. For more tender meat, you may have to do this twice.

I did. 

Substitutions and Add-Ins

You may have noticed that carrots were not included in the ingredients. I don’t like cooked carrots and omit them.

But if you like carrots then by all means add them. 1 cup of frozen carrots should do the trick.

You may have to add a little more liquid to accommodate the additional vegetable. You can also substitute the vegetable juice for beef broth.

Whatever taste profile you are after. I have done it both ways.

My Final Thoughts

• Beef vegetable soup is a versatile and nourishing dish that can include a variety of ingredients like carrots, potatoes, and peas.
• The recipe involves browning the beef to enhance its flavor, followed by adding vegetables and broth, then simmering.
• Seasonal vegetables and pantry staples can be used, allowing for customization of the soup based on personal preference and availability.
• Simmering the soup for an extended period is crucial for developing a rich, deep flavor.
• The soup is nutritionally balanced, providing a range of nutrients from both the meat and the assorted vegetables included.

I hope that you give this hearty beef and vegetable soup a try. Do you have a favorite soup?

Please leave me a comment below and let me know. Have a wonderful day!

FAQ about Beef Vegetable Soup

1. What type of meat is recommended for the Hearty Beef Vegetable Soup?

• Lean beef stew meat is recommended for its substantial texture, allowing for satisfying bites within the soup.
• The meat should be browned before adding to the soup to enhance flavor and richness.

2. Can I use different types of vegetables in the Hearty Beef Vegetable Soup?

• Yes, you can use fresh, frozen, or canned vegetables, with the choice depending on availability and personal preference.
• The recipe is adaptable, allowing for the inclusion of a variety of vegetables such as corn, green beans, peas, and optionally carrots.