Hearty Vegetable Beef Soup

Hearty Vegetable Beef Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 lb (450g) ground beef or stew meat
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (if using stew meat)
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups beef broth
• 2 cups water
• 3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
• 3 carrots, peeled and diced
• 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 cup corn kernels (frozen or fresh)
• 1 cup peas (frozen or fresh)
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juice
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook the Beef:
   • If using ground beef, in a large pot, brown the beef over medium-high heat until fully cooked. Drain excess fat and set the beef aside.
   • If using stew meat, heat olive oil in the pot over medium-high heat. Add the stew meat and brown on all sides. Remove the meat and set it aside.
2. Sauté Vegetables:
   • In the same pot, add the diced onion and cook until soft, about 3-4 minutes.
   • Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
3. Add Broth and Vegetables:
   • Return the beef to the pot.
   • Add the beef broth, water, diced potatoes, carrots, green beans, corn, peas, and diced tomatoes (with their juice) to the pot.
   • Stir in the thyme, basil, bay leaf, salt, and pepper.
4. Simmer the Soup:
   • Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let the soup simmer for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the vegetables are tender and the flavors have melded together.
   • Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
5. Final Seasoning:
   • Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
6. Serve:
   • Remove the bay leaf before serving.
   • Ladle the soup into bowls and enjoy with crusty bread or crackers.

This soup is perfect for a cozy dinner and can be stored in the fridge for a few days or frozen for later use. Enjoy!