This hearty Vegetable Beef Soup is filled with melt-in-your-mouth chunks of beef, potatoes, and a variety of vegetables, all simmered in a rich, herb-infused broth. The broth is slightly thickened, giving it a comforting, gravy-like texture with an added depth of flavor from red wine or stout. Perfect for warming up during the colder months, this soup is a complete meal in a bowl.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 1.5 tbsp olive oil (separated)

• 500g (1 lb) stewing beef, cut into 1.75cm (2/3″) cubes

• 1/2 tsp salt and pepper

• 1 onion, chopped

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 2 celery stalks, sliced

• 3 carrots, sliced

• 4 tbsp flour

• 2 1/2 cups (625ml) beef broth (low sodium)

• 1 1/2 cups (375ml) dry red wine, Guinness beer, or stout

• 1.5 cups (375ml) water

• 2 tbsp tomato paste

• 2 bay leaves

• 1 tsp dried thyme

• 1 cup frozen peas

• 2 potatoes, cut into 1.5cm (2/3″) cubes

Optional (for buttery mushrooms):

• 1 tbsp (15g) butter or oil

• 200g (6oz) small mushrooms, quartered or halved

Directions

1. Sear the Beef: Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a large pot over high heat. Pat the beef dry and season with salt and pepper. Brown the beef in batches until caramelized, adding more oil if needed. Remove the beef to a bowl.

2. Prepare Vegetables: In the same pot, add garlic, onion, carrot, and celery. Cook for 2-3 minutes until softened.

3. Make the Broth: Stir in the flour, then gradually add beef broth, stirring constantly. Add the red wine, water, tomato paste, bay leaves, and thyme, then return the beef to the pot. Cover and simmer on medium-low for about 1 hour and 15 minutes until the beef is tender.

4. Add Potatoes and Peas: Add potatoes and peas and simmer uncovered for another 20 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.

5. Optional Mushrooms: In a separate pan, melt butter and cook mushrooms for about 5 minutes until browned. Add them to the soup in the final 5 minutes.

6. Serve: Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Serve with crusty bread or your favorite dunkers.

Nutrients (Per Serving)

• Calories: 419 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 32g

• Protein: 28g

• Fat: 19g

  • Saturated Fat: 7g

• Cholesterol: 75mg

• Sodium: 473mg

• Potassium: 1246mg

• Fiber: 6g

• Sugar: 6g

• Vitamin A: 6590 IU

• Vitamin C: 28.4mg

• Calcium: 87mg

• Iron: 6.6mg

The Power of Slow Cooking: A Broth That’s Rich in Flavor

The magic behind the savory depth of this soup lies in the slow simmering process. As the beef and vegetables cook together in a well-seasoned broth, the flavors meld and intensify. The beef, seared first to create a beautiful caramelized exterior, absorbs the flavors from the broth and softens to the point of being melt-in-your-mouth tender. It’s this slow cooking that allows the beef to release its rich flavors and makes the broth take on a luxurious, gravy-like consistency.

The broth in this soup is more than just a liquid base—it’s a flavor powerhouse. The addition of flour helps thicken the broth, creating a comforting, velvety texture that coats each ingredient. Adding a splash of dry red wine, Guinness beer, or stout deepens the flavor profile with rich, slightly bitter notes, balancing the sweetness of the vegetables. This complexity transforms a simple soup into something hearty and filling, ideal for any occasion when you need a comforting meal.

A Symphony of Vegetables: Nutritious and Flavorful Additions

While the beef is certainly the star of this dish, the vegetables play an equally important role. Onions, garlic, celery, and carrots are the building blocks of this soup’s flavor. These aromatic vegetables are sautéed first to release their sweetness and depth, providing a foundation for the entire soup. Their natural sweetness perfectly balances the savory richness of the beef and broth.

The inclusion of frozen peas adds color and a slight sweetness, while the potatoes contribute a starchy creaminess that makes the soup even more filling. The cubes of potato absorb the broth as they cook, making each bite a perfect combination of tender beef and hearty vegetables. These vegetables not only provide incredible flavor but also bring essential nutrients, making this soup a nutritious and satisfying meal.

The Benefits of Beef Shank in This Soup

The cut of beef used in this soup—stewing beef—adds to the overall texture and flavor. Stewing beef comes from tougher cuts of meat, often from the shoulder or chuck, which require slow cooking to break down the muscle fibers. When cooked over time, these cuts become incredibly tender, making them perfect for soups and stews. As the beef simmers in the broth, it releases gelatin, contributing to the soup’s rich texture.

For those unfamiliar with stewing beef, it’s a cost-effective option that delivers exceptional flavor and tenderness when prepared properly. This cut of meat becomes soft and juicy, making it ideal for a hearty soup like this, where the beef is one of the highlights of the dish.

Optional Mushrooms: Adding Richness and Depth

For an extra layer of richness, you can choose to add sautéed mushrooms to the soup. While not mandatory, the mushrooms bring an earthy depth to the dish that complements the beef and vegetables perfectly. Cooking the mushrooms in butter allows them to caramelize, releasing their natural umami flavors before they’re added to the soup in the final moments of cooking. This optional step is a great way to elevate the flavor profile of the soup, giving it an even more complex and satisfying taste.

Mushrooms also provide a boost of nutrients, such as antioxidants and B vitamins, that add to the nutritional value of the dish. If you prefer, you can even swap butter for oil to make the mushrooms a bit lighter while still retaining that rich, savory flavor.

A Comforting Meal for Any Season

Although this soup is especially ideal for fall and winter when the weather calls for something warm and filling, it can be enjoyed year-round. The versatility of this vegetable beef soup makes it a great dish for any season, as it can be easily adapted to fit your needs. Whether you’re looking for a dinner to serve on a chilly evening or want to prepare a meal that can feed a crowd, this soup is perfect for a variety of occasions.

You can make this soup in advance and store it in the refrigerator for several days, making it a great option for meal prepping. It also freezes well, allowing you to prepare it in bulk and enjoy it later when you need a comforting meal on a busy day. The flavors of the soup deepen over time, so it may even taste better the next day!

A Complete Meal: Pairing Suggestions

While this vegetable beef soup is already a complete meal, it’s always nice to have something to serve alongside it. A slice of crusty bread or a warm baguette is perfect for soaking up the delicious broth. You could also serve it with a side salad for a lighter touch—something fresh and crunchy will complement the rich, hearty soup. If you prefer, add a cheese platter to the meal to elevate the dining experience, offering a variety of flavors and textures to enjoy with each bite of the soup.

For a more indulgent meal, consider adding a creamy side dish like mashed potatoes or cheesy garlic bread. The hearty nature of the soup pairs wonderfully with these richer sides, making for a truly comforting meal.

Making the Soup Your Own: Adjusting to Your Taste

While this recipe provides a great base for a delicious vegetable beef soup, it’s highly customizable. If you prefer a more vegetable-heavy soup, you can add extra carrots, celery, or even parsnips for more variety. For those who like their soups a bit spicier, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to give it some heat.

If you prefer a thicker consistency, you can let the soup simmer for a longer period or use an immersion blender to blend part of the soup, creating a creamy texture. For a lighter version, consider using leaner cuts of beef or reducing the amount of oil used to brown the meat.

Conclusion: A Hearty and Satisfying Dish

This Hearty Vegetable Beef Soup is the epitome of comfort food. With its tender beef, hearty vegetables, and rich, flavorful broth, it’s the perfect dish for warming up on a cold day. The slow cooking process enhances the natural flavors of the ingredients, resulting in a deeply satisfying meal that can be enjoyed year-round. Whether you choose to add buttery mushrooms or keep it simple with the vegetables, this soup is sure to please. It’s a filling, nutritious, and delicious dish that will become a staple in your cooking repertoire, ideal for family dinners, special occasions, or as a meal prep option for busy days.