Vegetable soup with ground beef
Posted October 30, 2023 by: Admin
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make this delicious soup:
Minced beef: The star of the show. It’s the main protein in the soup, providing a rich and savory flavor.
Mixed vegetables: These are the soup’s vegetables, adding color, texture, and nutrition to the soup. Use carrots, celery, onions, potatoes, and any other type you like.
Cut them into small portions, diced, or cubed for a consistent texture.
Canned vegetables: Add canned corn, green beans, peas, tomato sauce, and crushed tomatoes to add more variety and flavor to the soup. They save time while retaining their nutritional value.
Seasonings: A blend of seasonings consisting of ground black pepper, salt, bay leaves, and ground thyme. These seasonings give the soup depth of flavor and a kick of taste.
Water: Water helps adjust the consistency and keeps everything moist and delicious. You can add as much or as little as you like to get the perfect consistency for you.
How to Make Minced Beef Vegetable Soup
- Let’s start by browning the minced beef in a large pot over medium-high heat. Cook it until it’s well browned, which should take about 7 to 10 minutes. Don’t forget to drain the excess fat.
- Now, add diced carrots, chopped celery, and onions to the pot. Cook until the vegetables are tender, which should take about 5 minutes.
- It’s time to add some more veggies! Add potatoes, corn, green beans, peas, tomato sauce, and crushed tomatoes. Season the soup with salt and pepper, and add a bay leaf and thyme for extra flavor.
- If needed, add 1/4 cup of water. Bring the soup to a boil and cover. Cook for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Remove the bay leaf before serving. Enjoy!
How Long Does Vegetable Soup Last?
Minced beef vegetable soup will stay fresh in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days as long as it’s stored in an airtight container.
Like most soups, over time, the vegetables can become too soft, and the flavors may fade a bit.
But don’t worry, if you want to keep it for later, you can always freeze it!
And when you’re ready to eat it, simply reheat it in the microwave until it’s hot and ready to enjoy.
Can I Freeze the Soup?
The good news is that minced beef vegetable soup can be frozen for up to 6 months.
Just make sure the soup cools completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag.
Don’t forget to label the container or bag with the date so you know how long it’s been in the freezer.
When you’re ready to eat, take it out of the freezer the day before and let it thaw in the refrigerator.
Then, heat it on the stovetop or in the microwave. It’ll be as good as new!
Recipe Tips
If you’re looking to add a bit of kick to your minced beef vegetable soup, here are some tips to make it even more flavorful:
- Use a variety of vegetables to add color and texture to the soup. Carrots, celery, onions, potatoes, and tomatoes are a great starting point. You can also add other vegetables like green beans, peppers, and zucchini.
- If you’re feeling fancier, you can use higher-quality meat instead of minced beef. Chuck roast or shoulder roast becomes tender when simmered for a few hours. But if you’re short on time, minced beef is perfect.
- Brown the minced beef thoroughly for a richer flavor. Make sure to cook the beef until it’s fully browned, then drain any excess fat. This will give your soup a deeper and more complex flavor.
- Simmer the soup long enough to allow the flavors to meld and the vegetables to become tender. A simmering time of 20 to 25 minutes should do the trick.
- Serve with crusty bread for dipping into the soup or a sprinkle of cheese on top. The bread will help soak up all the delicious broth, and the cheese adds a lovely creamy texture.
- Try adding fresh basil or parsley at the end of cooking for a fresh and herby taste.
- Give it a little kick with onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, curry powder, paprika, red pepper flakes, or cayenne pepper.
- Add a sprinkle of parmesan cheese while it simmers. This adds a nice salty and nutty flavor.
- Squeeze a bit of lemon juice or drizzle with vinegar for a tangy touch.
- If your soup lacks flavor, it may just need a bit of extra salt to bring out all the delights.