There’s nothing quite like a warm, comforting bowl of soup to chase away the chill, and this Ground Beef and Vegetable Soup is a true champion in that regard. It’s an absolute favorite for cozy dinners, offering a perfect blend of rich flavors and nourishing ingredients. This robust soup is generously loaded with vibrant, colorful produce, tender potatoes, and a deeply flavorful broth that promises warmth and comfort with every single spoonful. Beyond its delicious taste, it’s a remarkably wholesome and budget-friendly option, making it the ideal choice for cold weather days and busy weeknights alike. It’s the kind of satisfying meal that gathers everyone around the table.

Craving more comforting and easy-to-make dinners? Be sure to also try my Stuffed Pepper Casserole or my One Pot Taco Soup for your next family meal inspiration!

Why You’ll Absolutely Love This Ground Beef and Vegetable Soup Recipe…

This savory and satisfying Ground Beef and Vegetable Soup isn’t just another dinner; it’s a brilliant culinary solution for making the most of readily available, simple ingredients, effortlessly transforming them into a complete, incredibly satisfying, and wholesome family meal. What truly makes this recipe stand out is its reliance on everyday pantry staples combined with an abundance of fresh, vibrant vegetables, all brought together and simmered gently in one pot until every component reaches perfect tenderness. It’s the epitome of wholesome comfort food that nourishes both body and soul without fuss.

One of the absolute best features of this particular beef and vegetable soup is its incredible versatility and how wonderfully it holds up (and even improves!) after being made. It freezes beautifully, making it an absolute dream for convenient leftovers, efficient meal prepping for a busy week, or batch cooking for those days when you need a quick, healthy option. Furthermore, for families with discerning or picky eaters, this soup offers a clever and delicious way to get a generous serving of essential vegetables onto the table without a single complaint. Its naturally delicious flavor and appealing texture make it a family-friendly favorite that’s as practical as it is utterly delightful.

• ⏰ Total Time: Approximately 1 hour from start to finish, including prep and cook time, making it ideal for busy evenings.
• 🍂 Perfect For: Warm and cozy weeknight dinners, healthy and satisfying meal prep lunches, comforting weekend gatherings, or whenever you need a hearty boost.
• 🛒 Key Ingredients: The foundation of this wholesome soup includes lean ground beef, nutrient-rich potatoes, sweet carrots, crisp green beans, and a rich, savory beef broth.
• 🍽️ Servings: This recipe generously serves 4 people, making it perfect for a family meal or providing satisfying leftovers.
• 🥄 Skill Level: Easy – designed to be straightforward and accessible for beginner cooks, busy home chefs, and anyone looking for a no-fuss recipe.
• 🧊 Storage: Stores exceptionally well for up to 4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator, or extends its freshness for up to 2 months in the freezer.

Are you craving more substantial and flavorful dishes that are easy to prepare? Don’t miss out on trying my incredibly cheesy Queso Chili or my speedy and delicious Taco Skillet for your next cooking adventure!

Made With Love,

Essential Ingredients for Your Delicious Ground Beef and Vegetable Soup

Creating this incredibly yummy and satisfying ground beef and vegetable soup relies on a carefully selected combination of ingredients, each playing a vital role in its hearty flavor and rich texture. Understanding each component helps you appreciate the delicious outcome. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need to bring this comforting dish to life:

• Ground beef: This is the undeniable star of the show, providing a robust, savory richness and essential protein that makes this soup a truly filling and satisfying meal. Opt for a leaner ground beef (like 80/20 or 90/10) to keep the soup hearty without excessive grease.
• Potatoes and carrots: These versatile root vegetables are fundamental for adding bulk, natural sweetness, and a wonderfully tender texture to the soup. Potatoes offer a creamy element, while carrots provide a touch of earthy sweetness, both absorbing the broth beautifully to contribute to that classic, comforting taste and texture.
• Celery and onion: Often referred to as the “holy trinity” of soup bases (when combined with carrots), these aromatic vegetables are meticulously sautéed to create a foundational layer of deep, savory flavor. They release their essential oils and sweetness, which elevates the entire dish and adds a complex background note.
• V-8 juice and diced tomatoes: This dynamic duo is key to infusing the broth with its distinctive tangy and rich tomato flavor profile. V-8 juice brings a complex blend of various vegetable juices, while diced tomatoes provide chunky texture, bright acidity, and a burst of fresh tomato goodness.
• Green beans and peas: These vibrant additions contribute delightful pops of color, interesting texture, and a significant boost of essential nutrients to the soup. They round out the vegetable medley, ensuring every bite is engaging, fresh, and full of goodness.

If you’re a fan of flavorful one-pot wonders that simplify mealtime, be sure to also try my equally delicious and easy One Pot Taco Soup for another satisfying and quick family meal!

Comprehensive Ingredients List for Ground Beef & Vegetable Soup

For your ultimate convenience and to ensure you have everything ready before you start cooking, here is the complete list of all the fresh produce and pantry-staple ingredients required to prepare this mouthwatering ground beef and vegetable soup. Gather these items, and you’ll be well on your way to a truly satisfying and wholesome homemade meal:

• 1 lb ground beef (preferably lean, for a healthier soup)
• 1 yellow onion, carefully and finely diced
• 3 stalks celery, thoroughly washed and sliced into thin pieces
• 3 large carrots, peeled and sliced into uniform rounds or half-moons
• 1 tbsp minced garlic (equivalent to about 3-4 fresh cloves, finely minced)
• 2 tsp salt, or adjust to your personal taste preference
• 1 tsp black pepper, freshly ground if possible, for best flavor
• 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed into small, bite-sized pieces (Yukon Gold or Russet work well)
• 1 cup frozen peas (no need to thaw, they’ll cook directly in the soup)
• 1 ½ cups frozen green beans (no need to thaw, add straight from the freezer)
• 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained, to retain all the flavorful juices
• 2 cups regular V-8 juice (for that classic tangy vegetable flavor, or use tomato juice)
• 5 cups beef broth or chicken broth, for a rich and savory base (low sodium if preferred)

For precise measurements and a handy checklist that you can easily take to the grocery store, the printable recipe card below includes the full ingredient list and exact amounts. It’s perfect for saving, printing, or referring to later when you’re ready to cook this comforting and delicious beef and veggie soup!

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Ground Beef and Vegetable Soup

Making this hearty and flavorful Ground Beef and Vegetable Soup is incredibly straightforward, perfect for even the busiest home cooks. Follow these simple, easy-to-understand steps to create a deeply flavorful and satisfying meal that will quickly become a new family favorite, bringing comfort and warmth to your table:

Step 1: Brown the Ground Beef. Begin by placing a large Dutch oven or a sturdy, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add your ground beef to the hot pot. Using a wooden spoon or a firm spatula, break the ground beef up into small, even crumbles. Cook the beef until it’s about halfway browned, ensuring that most of the pink color has disappeared. This initial browning step is crucial as it helps build a fantastic, savory flavor base for the entire soup. Once cooked to this stage, carefully drain any excess grease from the pot. This prevents your soup from becoming too oily and keeps it wholesome.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatics. With the ground beef partially browned and drained, it’s time to infuse the soup with aromatic depth. Add the finely diced yellow onion and minced garlic to the pot. Continue to cook for another 2 to 3 minutes over medium heat, stirring frequently. Watch for the onion to soften and become translucent, and for the garlic to release its wonderfully fragrant aroma. This step is incredibly important for developing the foundational, savory flavors that will permeate your delicious beef and vegetable soup.

Step 3: Prepare Your Vegetables. While the beef and aromatics are cooking their way to perfection, take a moment to meticulously prepare your vegetables. Chop your potatoes, celery, and carrots, aiming for similarly sized pieces. This uniformity is absolutely crucial as it ensures that all vegetables cook at an even rate, preventing some from becoming mushy while others remain undercooked. Proper preparation here guarantees perfectly tender vegetables throughout your hearty soup.

Step 4: Combine All Ingredients. Now, it’s time to bring all the wonderful components together. Into the pot with the browned ground beef, onion, and garlic, stir in the freshly chopped celery, carrots, and potatoes, along with the frozen peas and frozen green beans. Next, add the full can of diced tomatoes (undrained, to preserve all those delicious juices and acidity), the V-8 juice, your choice of beef or chicken broth, and finally, the salt and pepper. Give everything a good, thorough stir to evenly combine all the ingredients in the pot.

Step 5: Simmer to Perfection. Bring the entire mixture in the pot to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Once it reaches a steady simmer, reduce the heat to low, ensuring the soup maintains a gentle bubbling. Cover the pot with a lid and let it cook for approximately 40 minutes. During this simmering time, remember to stir occasionally to prevent any ingredients from sticking to the bottom and to ensure all the vegetables cook evenly. Continue cooking until the potatoes and carrots are perfectly tender and the rich, complex flavors have beautifully blended together, creating a harmonious and deeply comforting ground beef and vegetable soup.

Step 6: Season and Serve. Before serving, perform a crucial taste test. Ladle a small amount of soup into a spoon and taste. Adjust the seasoning as needed, adding a pinch more salt or pepper depending on your personal preference and the initial saltiness of your broth. Once seasoned to perfection, ladle the hot soup into bowls. Serve immediately and prepare to savor every spoonful of this hearty, wholesome, and homemade comfort food.

These detailed, step-by-step instructions are also conveniently available in the printable recipe card below. Don’t forget to save it for quick reference or printing for later, ensuring you can recreate this delicious beef and veggie soup whenever the craving strikes!

Exciting Ground Beef and Vegetable Soup Variations to Customize Your Meal

One of the beauties of this adaptable Ground Beef and Vegetable Soup is how easily you can customize it to suit your personal tastes, dietary needs, or whatever ingredients you happen to have on hand. Don’t be afraid to get creative! Here are some fantastic variations to inspire you and make this soup uniquely yours:

• Leaner Protein Options: For a lighter take on this already wholesome soup, you can easily substitute the ground beef with other lean proteins. Consider using lean ground turkey or ground chicken. Just ensure you brown them thoroughly to build maximum flavor before adding the other ingredients.
• Boost Your Veggies: This soup is already packed with vegetables, but there’s always room for more! Feel free to toss in additional vegetables like sweet corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned), tender diced zucchini (add towards the end of cooking to prevent it from becoming mushy), colorful diced bell peppers, or even a handful of fresh spinach or kale for an extra nutrient boost and more vibrant color.
• Alternative Tomato Base: If V-8 juice isn’t readily available or if you prefer a different flavor profile, you have excellent alternatives. You can easily replace it with plain tomato sauce for a milder tomato flavor. For an added layer of umami and depth, consider splashing in a teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce or a dash of balsamic vinegar to your tomato sauce substitute.
• Herbaceous Twist: Elevate the aromatic profile of your soup by incorporating different herbs. Sprinkling in some dried Italian seasoning, fragrant thyme, a bay leaf (remember to remove before serving!), or even fresh rosemary during the simmering process will infuse the soup with a wonderfully complex and inviting aroma. Fresh parsley or dill as a garnish can also add a bright finish.
• Spice It Up: For those who enjoy a little kick to their comfort food, a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of your favorite hot sauce can add a delightful warmth and gentle heat to each spoonful of this delicious vegetable beef soup. Adjust to your desired level of spice.

My Pro TipS

Expert Tips and Tricks for the Best Ground Beef and Vegetable Soup

Achieving a consistently delicious and perfectly textured ground beef and vegetable soup is easy when you follow a few simple yet effective pro tips. Keep these insights in mind to ensure your homemade soup turns out fantastic every single time, making it a guaranteed hit with your family and friends:

• Achieve Even Vegetable Chops: This is a golden rule for soup making! Always aim to chop all your dense vegetables (potatoes, carrots, celery) into evenly sized pieces. This uniformity ensures they all cook at roughly the same rate, resulting in a perfectly textured soup where every vegetable is tender, not mushy or undercooked. Consistency is key for uniform results.
• Control the Salt Content: To best manage the sodium level of your soup, especially if you’re conscious about salt intake, always opt for low-sodium beef or chicken broth. It’s always easier to add more salt to taste at the very end of cooking than it is to correct an overly salty soup. Taste, then season!
• Flavor Deepening Rest: While it’s incredibly tempting to dive right into a steaming bowl of homemade soup, letting it rest, covered, for at least 10 minutes after it finishes cooking allows the flavors to deepen and meld together beautifully. This short resting period truly enhances the overall taste profile and makes the soup even more satisfying.
• Smart Freezing for Meal Prep: For ultimate convenience and to streamline your meal prep efforts, freeze leftover beef and veggie soup in individual, airtight, freezer-safe containers or sturdy freezer bags. Freezing portions flat in bags not only saves valuable freezer space but also makes for quick, easy grab-and-go meals on those exceptionally busy days.
• Don’t Rush the Browning Process: Ensure you properly brown your ground beef until it develops a rich, golden-brown crust. This critical step facilitates the Maillard reaction, which contributes immense depth of savory flavor to the entire soup and creates a robust foundation.
• Fresh Herbs for Garnish: A simple yet effective way to elevate the presentation and add a burst of fresh flavor to your vegetable beef soup is to garnish it generously with freshly chopped parsley, cilantro, or chives just before serving. This adds brightness and a visually appealing touch.

Delightful Serving Suggestions for Your Ground Beef and Vegetable Soup

While this comforting Ground Beef and Vegetable Soup is undeniably a complete and satisfying meal all on its own, pairing it with a few simple additions can elevate the entire dining experience. Here are some delightful suggestions to serve alongside your homemade soup, turning an already great meal into an extraordinary one:

• Warm, Crusty Bread or Rolls: There’s nothing quite like dipping a piece of warm, crusty bread into a rich and savory soup. Serve your soup with a fresh baguette, some garlic bread, warm focaccia, or my homemade Easy One Hour Dinner Rolls for the ultimate comfort food pairing that allows you to soak up every last drop of that delicious broth.
• Cheesy Toppings and Fresh Garnishes: Enhance the flavor and texture of your soup by adding a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese, sharp shredded cheddar, or even a dollop of creamy sour cream or Greek yogurt right before serving. A scattering of fresh herbs like chopped parsley, chives, or a few sprigs of cilantro can add a burst of freshness and a vibrant pop of color.
• Light Green Salad: For a perfectly balanced and complete meal, complement the heartiness of the soup with a light and crisp green salad. A simple vinaigrette dressing will provide a refreshing contrast to the rich flavors of the soup, making for a wonderfully satisfying dinner.
• Homemade Cornbread: A classic and beloved pairing with any hearty soup or chili, a warm, golden slice of cornbread (whether sweet or savory) makes an excellent accompaniment. It’s perfect for soaking up all the delicious broth and adds another layer of comfort to your meal.

Make-Ahead, Storage, & Reheating Guide for Ground Beef and Vegetable Soup

One of the best qualities of this nourishing ground beef and vegetable soup is how incredibly well it lends itself to make-ahead preparation and convenient storage. This ensures that you always have a wholesome and delicious meal ready to go, even on the busiest of days. Proper storage also helps the flavors deepen and meld even further, often making the leftovers even more delicious than the freshly made batch!

• Fridge Storage: Any leftover soup should be stored promptly in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep beautifully for up to 4 days. The flavors will continue to meld and develop, making it a fantastic option for packed lunches throughout the week or quick, no-fuss dinners.
• Freezer Storage: For longer-term preservation, this hearty soup freezes exceptionally well for up to 2 months without any loss of quality. To maximize freezer space and ensure easier thawing, portion the completely cooled soup into individual freezer-safe bags and lay them flat before freezing solid. Alternatively, use sturdy freezer-safe containers with tight-fitting lids.
• Reheating Instructions: To reheat, simply transfer the desired amount of soup to a saucepan. Warm it gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until it is hot throughout. For individual portions, you can also reheat them in the microwave, stirring halfway through, until warmed to your liking. Ensure the soup reaches a safe internal temperature before serving.

For more fantastic make-ahead dinner ideas that save you valuable time in the kitchen and simplify your meal planning, be sure to explore other wonderfully convenient recipes like my popular One Pot Taco Soup – perfect for supporting a busy, yet delicious, lifestyle!