Description
This Old-Fashioned Vegetable Beef Soup is a comforting and hearty bowl filled with tender beef chuck, smoked turkey bacon, and a colorful mix of fresh garden vegetables. Enhanced with natural herbs and a natural gelling agent, this soup offers layers of savory and fresh flavors ideal for chilly days. Easy to customize and perfect for meal prep, it delivers wholesome nutrition and a satisfying texture to warm your home and delight your taste buds.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Bacon
- 1.5 pounds tender beef chuck, cut into bite-sized cubes
- 4 slices smoked turkey bacon, chopped
Vegetables
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 2 medium fresh tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut
- 1 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Flavorings
- 6 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon natural gelling agent
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Optional Garnishes
- Chopped fresh parsley
- Chopped green onions
- Extra-virgin olive oil (natural), for drizzling
- Plant-based sour cream
Instructions
- Preparing the Beef and Turkey Bacon: Cut the beef chuck into bite-sized cubes, trimming excess fat. Chop the smoked turkey bacon into small pieces and sauté gently in a large pot over medium heat until crispy, releasing smoky richness that forms the soup’s base.
- Building the Flavor Base: Add finely chopped onions, celery, and carrots to the pot with the turkey bacon. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until softened and aromatic. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional minute to deepen the flavor without burning.
- Adding the Beef and Liquids: Return the browned beef cubes to the pot. Pour in the beef broth and add vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural). Stir well to combine the savory layers and bring balance to the earthiness of the vegetables.
- Incorporating Vegetables and Herbs: Add diced potatoes, green beans, corn kernels, and chopped tomatoes to the pot. Sprinkle fresh thyme leaves and add bay leaves. Lightly stir in the natural gelling agent to achieve a silky broth texture. Bring soup to a steady simmer and cook uncovered for 45 minutes to meld flavors and tenderize beef.
- Final Touches and Seasoning: Remove bay leaves. Taste and season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper as needed. For visual brightness and freshness, sprinkle chopped parsley on top before serving.
Notes
- Brown the beef thoroughly before simmering to lock in juices and enhance flavor.
- Simmer the soup gently over low heat to tenderize the beef and meld flavors.
- Use fresh herbs like thyme and parsley to brighten the rich flavors without bitterness.
- Add quick-cooking vegetables such as green beans and corn midway to preserve texture.
- Season gradually, adding salt and pepper near the end to avoid overseasoning.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Soup
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: vegetable beef soup, hearty soup, comforting soup, beef chuck soup, smoked turkey bacon soup, wholesome soup, vegetable soup
