Hearty Ground Beef and Vegetable Soup

This Hearty Ground Beef and Vegetable Soup is a comforting one-pot meal made with seasoned ground beef, tender potatoes, carrots, celery, bell peppers, tomatoes, and a rich savory broth. It is filling, easy to prepare, and perfect for cold days, busy weeknights, or meal prep.

The ground beef adds plenty of flavor while the vegetables make the soup hearty enough to serve as a complete dinner. Everything simmers together until the potatoes are tender and the broth becomes rich and flavorful.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy one-pot dinner
• Loaded with ground beef and vegetables
• Rich and comforting broth
• Simple everyday ingredients
• Perfect for meal prep
• Great for family dinners
• Freezer-friendly

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
• 1 tablespoon olive oil, if needed
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 medium carrots, sliced
• 3 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 yellow or red bell pepper, diced
• 4 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
• 6 cups low-sodium beef broth
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, optional

How to Make Ground Beef and Vegetable Soup

Step 1: Brown the Ground Beef

Heat a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.

Add the ground beef and cook for about 6 to 8 minutes, breaking it into small crumbles as it cooks.

Continue cooking until the beef is fully browned.

Drain excess grease if necessary.

Step 2: Cook the Onion

Add the diced onion to the pot.

Cook for about 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.

Step 3: Add the Garlic

Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly.

Step 4: Add the Vegetables

Add the carrots, celery, green bell pepper, and yellow or red bell pepper.

Cook for about 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 5: Add the Tomatoes

Stir in the diced tomatoes and tomato sauce.

Step 6: Add the Broth and Seasonings

Pour in the beef broth.

Add the Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper.

Stir until everything is well combined.

Step 7: Add the Potatoes

Add the cubed potatoes and stir them into the soup.

Step 8: Bring to a Boil

Increase the heat and bring the soup to a gentle boil.

Step 9: Simmer

Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover partially.

Simmer for about 25 to 35 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes and carrots are tender.

Step 10: Adjust the Broth

If the soup becomes thicker than you prefer, add a little more beef broth or water.

If you prefer a thicker soup, simmer uncovered for another 5 to 10 minutes.

Step 11: Taste and Adjust

Remove the bay leaf.

Taste the soup and add more salt, black pepper, or seasoning if needed.

Step 12: Serve

Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.

Serve hot with crusty bread, rolls, crackers, or a simple salad.

Tips for the Best Ground Beef Vegetable Soup

• Brown the beef well: Good browning creates deeper flavor in the broth.
• Cut the vegetables evenly: Similar-sized pieces cook at the same rate.
• Do not overcook the potatoes: Simmer only until fork-tender.
• Use beef broth: It gives the soup a richer flavor than water alone.
• Adjust the consistency: Add broth for a thinner soup or simmer uncovered for a thicker one.
• Taste before serving: Soup often needs a final adjustment of salt and pepper after simmering.

Easy Variations

Ground Beef and Green Bean Soup

Add 1 to 2 cups of cut green beans during the final 15 minutes of cooking.

Ground Beef and Corn Soup

Add 1 cup of frozen or canned corn during the final 10 minutes.

Ground Beef and Bean Soup

Add one drained can of kidney beans, pinto beans, or cannellini beans for extra protein and texture.

Spicy Ground Beef Soup

Add crushed red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or diced jalapeños.

Ground Beef Cabbage Soup

Add 2 cups chopped cabbage during the final 15 to 20 minutes of cooking.

Cheesy Ground Beef Soup

Top each bowl with shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack just before serving.

What to Serve with Ground Beef and Vegetable Soup

• Crusty bread
• Garlic bread
• Dinner rolls
• Grilled cheese sandwiches
• Garden salad
• Crackers
• Cornbread

Make-Ahead Instructions

This soup is an excellent make-ahead meal because the flavors continue to develop after cooking.

Prepare the soup completely, cool it, and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Reheat gently on the stovetop when ready to serve.

Storage

Refrigerator

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.

Freezer

Cool the soup completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers.

Freeze for up to 3 months.

Potatoes may become slightly softer after freezing, but the soup will still taste good.

Reheating

Reheat the soup in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until hot throughout.

Add a splash of broth or water if the soup has thickened during storage.

Recipe Information

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: About 1 hour
• Servings: 8
• Course: Soup, Main Dish
• Cuisine: American
• Calories: Approximately 330 calories per serving, depending on portion size

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?

Yes. Ground turkey can be substituted, although the soup will have a lighter flavor.

Can I leave the potatoes unpeeled?

Yes. Yukon Gold or red potatoes can be used with the skins left on after washing them thoroughly.

Can I add frozen vegetables?

Yes. Frozen mixed vegetables can be added during the final 10 to 15 minutes of cooking.

How do I make the soup thicker?

Simmer uncovered for several extra minutes or lightly mash a few potato pieces directly in the pot.

How do I make the soup thinner?

Add additional beef broth or water until the soup reaches your preferred consistency.

Can I make this in a slow cooker?

Yes. Brown the beef first, then transfer it to a slow cooker with the remaining ingredients. Cook on LOW for about 6 to 7 hours or until the vegetables are tender.

Can I make this soup ahead?

Yes. It reheats very well and is a great recipe to prepare one or two days before serving.

Can I freeze this soup?

Yes. Freeze cooled soup in airtight containers for up to three months.

What vegetables can I add?

Green beans, corn, peas, cabbage, zucchini, mushrooms, and beans all work well in this soup.

Final Thoughts

This Hearty Ground Beef and Vegetable Soup is a simple, filling one-pot dinner loaded with beef, potatoes, carrots, peppers, celery, tomatoes, and savory broth.

It is easy to customize, reheats well, and makes a dependable family meal for busy weeknights, colder weather, or meal prep.