Life-Changing Hearty Beef and Vegetable Soup

Ingredients

• 2 lb beef chuck or stew meat (cut into cubes)
• 5 tbsp olive oil (divided; enough to cover the pot)
• 2 cup carrots (diced)
• 2 cup celery (diced)
• 1 onion (large, diced)
• 0.25 cup flour (optional)
• 3 cup beef broth
• 0.5 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 0.5 tsp dried thyme
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 2 cup petite diced tomatoes (canned or fresh)
• 2.5 potatoes (diced (2-3 potatoes))
• 0.5 cup baby lima beans (frozen)
• Salt & pepper (to taste)

Steps

1. 1

   Cut the beef chuck or stew meat into cubes and season generously with salt and pepper.

2. 2

   Add enough olive oil to cover the bottom of a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.

3. 3

   Sear the beef in batches if the pot is too crowded, cooking until browned on all sides. Remove the beef from the pot and set aside.

4. 4

   Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the same pot. Add the diced carrots, celery, and onion. Cook for 5 minutes until they begin to soften.

5. 5

   If using flour, stir it into the vegetables and cook for an additional 5 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.

6. 6

   Add the beef broth, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, dried thyme, pepper, diced tomatoes, baby lima beans, and the browned beef back into the pot.

7. 7

   Cover the pot and simmer on low heat for 2 hours. Do not let the liquid come to a full boil during this time to ensure the beef remains tender.

8. 8

   Add the diced potatoes and a pinch of salt. Continue to cook for 20-30 minutes until the potatoes are fork-tender.

9. 9

   Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.

10. 10

    Remove from heat and let the soup rest for 30 minutes before serving warm.

Notes

Do not let the soup come to a full boil during the 2-hour simmer, as this can make the beef tough. Resting the soup for 30 minutes after cooking allows the flavors to meld and the broth to thicken slightly. For a richer flavor, one commenter suggests substituting 1.5 cups of the beef broth with red wine or Guinness.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• soup
• beef
• healthy
• comfort food
• slow-cooked
• dairy-free
• whole foods