Crockpot Vegetable Beef Soup

Crockpot vegetable beef soup is the kind of meal that you throw together in the morning on busy days in the Crockpot, and let simmer all day. Pure comfort food. Make it a complete meal and serve it with garlic bread, or our favorite hot cheese bread, for a simple, healthy, and hearty supper. It’s so easy to make, that you will never reach for canned soup again!In a skillet, brown the ground beef using a little bit of olive oil until it’s browned. After that, add the beef and the rest of the ingredients into the crock pot and let it simmer on low all day. Dinner will be hot and ready, and your house will smell fragrant and yummy! The ground beef can be swapped out for ground turkey or even tender chunks of beef cut into bite-sized pieces.

Ingredients in Crockpot Vegetable Beef Soup

While it seems like there are many ingredients in this recipe, making vegetable beef soup is quite simple. One of those easy soup recipes that you will keep coming back to. All you have to do is toss everything in the crockpot! Here’s what you need:

Ground beef – you can use hamburger, ground turkey, or even ground chicken. Onion – White or yellow onions are great flavors in this crockpot soup. White has a more mild flavor compared to a yellow onion. Beef broth – Adds flavor and liquid to the slow cooker vegetable beef soup. It is a great combination and gives the best beef flavor. Vegetable juice – Any brand works great! You can also use tomato juice if you prefer. Potatoes – You can peel them if you prefer, but leaving the skin on is good too. Russet potatoes or Yukon gold are delicious in this soup. Potatoes add heartiness and make the soup more filling. You can use russet, Yukon Gold, or red potatoes, depending on the texture you prefer. Frozen corn – Canned corn works well too. Corn kernels, whether fresh, frozen, or canned, bring a touch of sweetness and texture to the soup. Frozen peas – Frozen peas hold up better in this recipe than canned peas. Peas provide a burst of sweetness and vibrant green color. We use frozen peas because they are the most convenient. Carrots – You can use baby carrots if that’s what you have on hand. Carrots add sweetness and color. They’re a classic choice for vegetable beef soup and offer a natural sweetness when cooked. We like to use whole carrots and cut them into thick slices. Seasonings – we use bay leaf, celery salt, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper to taste

How to Make Homemade Vegetable Beef Soup

This is a simple soup recipe that is easily made in the morning and can slow cook throughout the day. This is a great balanced dinner that is filling and comforting. You can customize the vegetable beef soup with your favorite ingredients and let the slow cooker do all the work!

The More Veggies the Better

This healthy beef vegetable soup begins with a rich tomato base with no creams or butter. Try making it with our homemade tomato juice. The rich flavor of those garden tomatoes adds a fresh, vibrant flavor to the vegetables and beef. Add any veggies you like (or ones you know your kids will eat). We love peas, carrots, corn, and green beans, but you could add any number of fresh or frozen veggies. The more the better! You can even stir in an entire bag of frozen mixed vegetables to save time.

Best Vegetables for Vegetable Beef Soup

A variety of vegetables can complement vegetable beef soup, adding flavor, texture, and nutrition. Feel free to mix and match these vegetables based on your preferences and what you have on hand. Vegetable beef soup is highly adaptable, so you can customize it to suit your taste and dietary needs.

Onions – Onions provide a savory, aromatic base for the soup. You can use yellow or white onions, depending on your taste. Celery – Celery provides a mild, earthy flavor and adds a nice crunch to the soup. It’s a common ingredient in many soup recipes. Tomatoes – Tomatoes, whether canned diced tomatoes or fresh tomatoes, give the soup a pleasant acidity and richness. They also enhance the broth. Green Beans – Green beans add a fresh, crisp element to the soup. You can use fresh, canned, or frozen green beans. Bell Peppers – Bell peppers, especially red, yellow, or orange ones, can add a subtle sweetness and color contrast to the soup. Zucchini or Squash – These vegetables can be a great addition, particularly if you prefer a slightly softer texture in your soup. Be sure to add them near the end so they don’t get overcooked. Greens – Leafy greens like spinach or kale can be added near the end of cooking for a nutrient boost. Cabbage – Shredded cabbage can add a hearty, earthy flavor and works well with beef. Mushrooms – Mushrooms, such as cremini or button mushrooms, can contribute an earthy, umami flavor.

Variations and Substitutions

Create the best crockpot vegetable beef soup with all your favorite ingredients! Choose your type of beef, try different beans, or try it with a new flavoring. Even cook on the stovetop if needed! All these variations can make for a remarkable vegetable beef soup dinner!

Beef – We like to use ground beef in this recipe, but you can use other beef stew meat or bite-sized pieces of chuck roast if that is what you have available. Noodles – If you don’t have any potatoes on hand, use macaroni noodles! They’ll cook up perfectly along with the rest of the veggies and make it seem like a different soup! Beans – Kidney beans, navy beans, or lentils are great options for added protein and fiber. Rice – Adding barley or rice can add a nice texture and make the soup more filling. Cooking Wine – Try adding a splash of red cooking wine while simmering for more depth of flavor. Stovetop – No time to wait for the Crockpot to do the work? No problem! This vegetable beef soup recipe can also be made in just 30 minutes by simmering the ingredients on medium-high heat on the stovetop. I have prepared it both ways and you can’t tell a difference. It all depends on what kind of time you have. Year-round – This soup isn’t just for the fall and winter months. Try it with fresh or frozen peas and potatoes in the springtime for a fresh, vibrant soup. Or serve it alongside our Irish Soda Bread for an easy St. Patrick’s Day meal. Topping – Garnish with fresh parsley, basil, thyme, or oregano for extra flavor.

Storing and Reheating

To store, allow the soup to cool within two hours at room temperature, and then transfer to an airtight container.

Storing – Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 to 5 days or in the freezer for 3 to 4 months. Reheating – When reheating, options include the microwave for individual servings, the stovetop for even heating, or a slow cooker for larger batches. When reheating from frozen, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before heating. Helpful tip – Be cautious not to bring the soup to a boil during reheating to prevent overcooking the vegetables. Adding a bit of liquid may be necessary to reach the desired consistency.

More Crockpot Soups to Try

Soup is a comforting and loving dinner that hugs you from the inside out. It is a great way to share with family and friends as well as have a warm dinner throughout the colder months. Try these delicious crockpot soups that are easy to make and gather everyone around the table!