Hearty Beef and Vegetable Soup (Printable Version)

Tender beef, root vegetables, and savory herbs combine in this classic, warming soup perfect for winter.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1.5 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes

→ Vegetables

02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 large onion, diced
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 3 medium carrots, sliced
06 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
07 - 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
08 - 1 parsnip, peeled and diced
09 - 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
10 - 1 cup frozen peas
11 - 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained

→ Liquids

12 - 8 cups beef broth

→ Herbs & Seasonings

13 - 2 bay leaves
14 - 1 tsp dried thyme
15 - 1 tsp dried oregano
16 - 0.5 tsp black pepper
17 - 1 tsp salt, plus more to taste
18 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add beef cubes and brown on all sides for 5 to 7 minutes. Remove beef and set aside.
02 - In the same pot, add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
03 - Return browned beef to the pot. Stir in potatoes, parsnip, green beans, tomatoes with juice, beef broth, bay leaves, thyme, oregano, pepper, and salt.
04 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1 hour 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is tender.
05 - Add frozen peas and cook uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes until all vegetables are soft.
06 - Remove bay leaves and adjust seasoning to taste.
07 - Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The beef gets so tender it practically melts, which happens because you give it real time to braise in that flavorful broth.
  • Every vegetable stays distinct instead of turning to mush, if you time the additions right—that's the secret most home cooks miss.
02 -
  • Don't skip the searing step—it's not just for looks, it's where the beef develops the flavors that make people ask for the recipe.
  • Bay leaves must come out before serving because biting into one tastes like chewing paper and ruins the whole moment.
03 -
  • If your broth tastes thin or weak, you can simmer the finished soup uncovered for 10 extra minutes to concentrate the flavors—just watch that it doesn't reduce too much.
  • A splash of Worcestershire sauce added at the very end adds a savory complexity that makes people wonder what your secret ingredient is.
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