Description
This Crockpot Vegetable Beef Soup is a hearty, comforting classic that’s perfect for cozy meals. Packed with tender beef stew meat and a colorful mix of vegetables, slow-cooked to perfection, it offers rich flavors and a satisfying texture. Ideal for busy days, this easy-to-make soup combines nutritious ingredients with simple seasoning, delivering a warm and wholesome dish that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1 ½ pounds beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
Vegetables
- 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 3 celery stalks, sliced
- 3 potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup corn kernels (frozen or fresh)
- 1 cup diced tomatoes (canned or fresh)
Liquids & Broth
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 cups water
Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Layer Ingredients in Crockpot: Place the beef stew meat at the bottom of the crockpot to ensure it cooks thoroughly. Layer the carrots, celery, potatoes, onion, garlic, green beans, corn, and diced tomatoes evenly over the meat, allowing flavors to meld as they cook.
- Add Liquids and Seasonings: Pour in the beef broth and water to cover the ingredients, then stir in the tomato paste, dried thyme, dried basil, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. This combination creates a rich, aromatic base for the soup.
- Cook the Soup: Cover the crockpot and cook on low heat for 8 hours or on high heat for 4 to 5 hours. This slow cooking tenderizes the beef and fully cooks the vegetables, developing deep, comforting flavors.
- Final Touches: Remove the bay leaf before serving to avoid bitterness. Stir the soup well, taste, and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and serve with crusty bread or crackers for a complete, satisfying meal.
Notes
- Substitute ground beef or leftover roast meat if stew meat is unavailable.
- Swap in seasonal vegetables or use frozen mixed vegetables for added convenience and variety.
- For a thicker soup, mash some of the cooked potatoes directly in the crockpot before serving.
- Ensure beef broth is certified gluten-free if adhering to a gluten-free diet.
