You don't have to use exactly these vegetables.
That's part of the beauty of homemade vegetable soup!
Fresh, frozen, or a combination of both works wonderfully.
Necessary Kitchen Tools
You'll need:
- Large soup pot or Dutch oven
- Wooden spoon
- Cutting board
- Chef's knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Ladle
- Can opener
One pot. That's the dream!
Ingredient Additions and Substitutions
This soup is incredibly forgiving.
Use different vegetables
Try adding:
- Zucchini
- Bell peppers
- Cabbage
- Spinach
- Mushrooms
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Lima beans
- Peas
- Corn
Use ground turkey
Ground turkey can replace the beef if you'd prefer a lighter soup.
Add pasta
Small pasta shapes such as macaroni, ditalini, or shells make the soup even heartier.
If adding pasta, cook until tender and keep an eye on the broth because pasta absorbs quite a bit of liquid.
Add beans
Kidney beans, cannellini beans, or black beans can add extra protein and make the soup especially filling.
Make it spicy
Add crushed red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or a diced jalapeño.
Add Worcestershire sauce
A teaspoon or two adds an extra layer of savory flavor.
How to Make Ground Beef Vegetable Soup
Let's make a big comforting pot!
Step 1: Brown the ground beef
Place a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
Add the ground beef and cook for about 5–7 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
Cook until no longer pink.
Drain excess grease if necessary.
Step 2: Add the onion and garlic
Add the diced onion and cook for approximately 3–4 minutes, until it begins to soften.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
Don't let the garlic burn!
Step 3: Add the hearty vegetables
Add the carrots, celery, and potatoes.
Stir everything together and cook for about 2 minutes.
This quick sauté helps develop the flavors before the broth goes in.
Step 4: Add the tomatoes and broth
Pour in:
- Diced tomatoes
- Tomato sauce
- Beef broth
Stir well, scraping up any flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
Step 5: Season the soup
Add the Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and bay leaf.
Stir everything together.
Step 6: Bring to a boil
Bring the soup to a gentle boil.
Once it starts bubbling, reduce the heat to low.
Step 7: Simmer
Cover partially and let the soup simmer for approximately 25–30 minutes.
The potatoes and carrots should become tender.
This is when the kitchen starts smelling AMAZING.
Step 8: Add the remaining vegetables
Stir in the green beans, frozen corn, and frozen peas.
Continue cooking for another 8–10 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
Step 9: Taste and adjust
Remove the bay leaf.
Taste the soup and adjust the salt and pepper as needed.
If you want a stronger tomato flavor, add a tablespoon or two of tomato paste.
If the soup is thicker than you'd like, add a little more broth.
Step 10: Garnish and serve
Ladle the hot soup into bowls and sprinkle with fresh parsley.
Now grab some crusty bread and dig in!
What to Serve With Ground Beef Vegetable Soup
This soup is filling on its own, but I'm never going to say no to bread.
Crusty bread
A warm loaf of French bread or sourdough is perfect for soaking up the flavorful broth.
Garlic bread
Because garlic bread makes everything better.
Dinner rolls
Soft, buttery rolls are another delicious choice.
Side salad
A simple green salad adds a fresh contrast to the warm, hearty soup.
Grilled cheese
Oh yes!
A crispy grilled cheese sandwich alongside a bowl of this soup is pure comfort food.
Tips for Making the Best Ground Beef Vegetable Soup
Brown the beef well
Don't rush this step.
Allowing the beef to brown develops deeper flavor.
Drain excess grease
If your ground beef is particularly fatty, drain some of the grease before adding the vegetables.
Cut vegetables evenly
Try to cut the vegetables into similar-sized pieces so they cook at roughly the same rate.
Don't overcook the vegetables
Add delicate vegetables toward the end so they retain some texture.
Taste before serving
Broth and canned tomatoes vary in saltiness, so always taste and adjust the seasoning at the end.
Let it simmer
A little extra simmering time allows all those flavors to come together.
How to Thicken the Soup
If you prefer a thicker vegetable soup, there are several easy options.
You can:
- Mash a few cooked potatoes against the side of the pot.
- Add a tablespoon of tomato paste.
- Simmer uncovered for 10–15 minutes.
- Stir in a small cornstarch slurry.
To make a slurry, combine 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water, then stir it into the simmering soup.
Can You Make This Soup Ahead?
Absolutely!
In fact, this is one of those recipes that tastes even better the next day.
Prepare the soup completely, allow it to cool, and refrigerate it in an airtight container.
When you're ready to eat, simply reheat it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
If the soup thickens in the refrigerator, add a splash of broth or water while reheating.
How to Store Leftovers
Allow the soup to cool before refrigerating.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.
For meal prep, divide it into individual containers so you can easily reheat one serving at a time.
Can You Freeze Ground Beef Vegetable Soup?
Yes!
This soup freezes beautifully.
Allow it to cool completely, then transfer it to freezer-safe containers or bags.
Leave a little room for expansion.
Freeze for up to 3 months for the best quality.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop until steaming hot.
A Freezing Tip
If you know you're going to freeze the soup, consider leaving out the potatoes or pasta and adding them fresh when reheating. Potatoes and pasta can sometimes change texture after freezing.
General Recipe Information
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 40–45 minutes
Total time: About 1 hour
Servings: 6–8
Difficulty: Easy
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American-inspired
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen vegetables?
Absolutely! Frozen mixed vegetables are an excellent shortcut.
Add them toward the end of cooking so they don't become overly soft.
Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?
Yes.
Brown the beef and sauté the onion and garlic first. Then transfer everything except the peas and corn to a slow cooker.
Cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours. Add the peas and corn during the final 20–30 minutes.
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?
Yes. Ground turkey works very well, although the soup will have a slightly lighter flavor.
Can I add beans?
Definitely. Kidney beans, white beans, or pinto beans are delicious additions.
How do I make the soup more flavorful?
Try adding Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, smoked paprika, garlic powder, fresh herbs, or a little extra Italian seasoning.
The most important thing is to taste as you go.
Why is my soup too thick?
Vegetables and potatoes absorb liquid as they cook.
Simply add more beef broth or water until you reach your preferred consistency.
Why is my soup too thin?
Simmer it uncovered for a little longer to allow excess liquid to evaporate, or mash some of the potatoes into the broth.
Conclusion
This Ground Beef Vegetable Soup is exactly the kind of recipe I want in my back pocket.
It's easy.
It's hearty.
It's comforting.
It's inexpensive.
And it makes enough for leftovers!
The combination of savory ground beef, tender vegetables, tomatoes, and rich broth creates a bowl of pure homemade comfort. And because the recipe is so flexible, you can easily adjust it based on whatever vegetables you happen to have.
So don't worry if you don't have every single ingredient.
Make it yours!
Add extra vegetables. Toss in some beans. Make it spicy. Serve it with crusty bread. Turn it into a meal your family will ask you to make again and again.
Because sometimes the simplest recipes really are the best ones.
Did You Make This Recipe?
I would absolutely love to hear how your Ground Beef Vegetable Soup turned out!
Leave a review and tell me what vegetables you added.
And if you take a photo, share it on Pinterest so other home cooks can find this cozy recipe too. Seeing your creations is one of my favorite parts of sharing recipes!
Approximate Nutrition Information
Nutritional values will vary depending on the specific ingredients and brands used.
Per serving, approximately:
- Calories: 320
- Protein: 23g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated fat: 4g
- Fiber: 7g
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 780mg
Nutrition information is an estimate and may vary based on portion size and ingredients.
