Description
This easy vegetable beef soup is a cozy, hearty recipe that's made with frozen vegetables to save time. It also uses a little bacon for added flavor and crunch!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
- 4 slices of bacon (chopped)
- 1 1/2 pounds cubed beef stew meat
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- 1 small yellow onion (chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 6 - 7 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 2 (14 oz) cans diced tomatoes, drained
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 bay leaves
- 3 cups cubed yellow potatoes (about 3 medium potatoes)
- 3 cups frozen mixed vegetables*
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pot or dutch oven over medium high heat. Once hot, cook the bacon 5 - 7 minutes, until browned and crispy. Set aside and leave the grease in the pan. Once cool, crumble the bacon.
- Add the remaining olive oil and meat to the pan in batches (about half at a time) so that it fits in a single layer without overlapping. Cook 3 - 4 minutes and then flip and cook for 3 - 4 minutes more. Beef should be browned but not cooked through. Set aside the beef and leave any drippings in the pot.
- Add the onion to the pot and cook for 3 - 4 minutes, until softened. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
- Add the beef broth, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, bay leaves and beef to the pot. Bring the pot to a boil, turn the heat to medium low, cover and simmer for 60 minutes.
- Stir in the potatoes and cook for 20 - 25 minutes more. The potatoes and beef should be tender and cooked through.
- Stir in the frozen vegetables and cook for 3 - 5 minutes, until heated through.
- Taste and season with salt & pepper. Add more beef broth if preferred.
- Stir in half the bacon. Discard bay leaf and serve warm, topped with the remaining bacon.
Notes
*Frozen vegetables: I used a mix of carrots, corn, green beans and peas; but you can use 3 cups of any vegetables.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian Inspired
Keywords: beef, soup, vegetable