Hearty Winter Vegetable Medley Soup
Warm up your winter with this Hearty Winter Vegetable Medley Soup! Bursting with color and flavor, this soup features a delightful combination of fresh and frozen vegetables, including tender potatoes, sweet carrots, and vibrant zucchini, all simmered together in a savory tomato base. The addition of ground beef adds richness, while barley provides a satisfying texture. Perfectly paired with a crusty loaf of French bread, this hearty soup is sure to become a go-to family favorite. Whether you're using fresh ingredients from your garden or utilizing your summer's bounty of dried zucchini, this adaptable recipe invites creativity and comfort into your kitchen. Complete with optional kale and lentils for added nutrition, this dish warms the soul on those chilly days.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
ground round
1/2 lb (browned)
tomatoes
2 quarts (chopped or crushed)
water
4 cups
celery
2 stalks (sliced)
onion
1 (diced)
potatoes
2 (peeled and diced)
carrots
2 (sliced)
frozen corn
1 cup
frozen peas
1 cup
zucchini
1 cup (diced (fresh or dried))
pearl barley
1/4 cup
beef broth powder
3 tablespoons
sugar
1 teaspoon
Instructions
1
In a large soup pot, brown the ground round over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat.
2
Add the two quarts of tomatoes and four cups of water to the pot. Stir well, bringing the mixture to a boil.
3
Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the pot and let it simmer for about 10 minutes, allowing the tomatoes to soften and create a rich broth.
4
After 10 minutes, add the sliced celery, diced onion, diced potatoes, sliced carrots, frozen corn, frozen peas, diced zucchini, pearl barley, beef broth powder, and sugar to the soup.
5
Stir to combine all ingredients, then cover the pot and continue to simmer for 1 hour, or until the vegetables are tender and the flavors have melded together. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Winter Vegetable Medley Soup?
It is a warm, colorful winter soup featuring a tomato base, ground beef, barley, and a variety of fresh and frozen vegetables.
What meat is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/2 lb of ground round, which should be browned and drained.
How many tomatoes are needed for the base?
You will need 2 quarts of chopped or crushed tomatoes.
What is the total simmering time for this soup?
The soup simmers for an initial 10 minutes with just tomatoes and water, followed by an additional hour once all other ingredients are added.
Can I use dried zucchini in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe specifically mentions that you can use 1 cup of either fresh or dried zucchini.
What type of barley is recommended?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of pearl barley to provide a satisfying texture.
Are there any optional ingredients for extra nutrition?
Yes, you can optionally add kale and lentils to the soup for added nutrition.
What should I serve with this soup?
It is perfectly paired with a crusty loaf of French bread.
How many potatoes are required?
The recipe calls for 2 potatoes, which should be peeled and diced.
Does this recipe use frozen vegetables?
Yes, it includes 1 cup of frozen corn and 1 cup of frozen peas.
Why is sugar included in the ingredients?
One teaspoon of sugar is added to help balance the flavors of the tomato-based broth.
What kind of broth does this recipe use?
The recipe uses a combination of water and 3 tablespoons of beef broth powder to create the savory broth.
How many carrots should I prepare?
You should use 2 sliced carrots.
What is the first step in making the soup?
The first step is to brown the ground round in a large soup pot over medium heat and drain the fat.
How much water is added to the tomato base?
Four cups of water are added to the two quarts of tomatoes.
How much celery is used?
The recipe requires 2 stalks of sliced celery.
What size should the onion be?
The recipe calls for 1 diced onion.
Is this soup suitable for families?
Yes, the description notes it is a go-to family favorite that warms the soul on chilly days.
Can I make this soup vegetarian?
While it contains ground beef, the tags suggest a vegetarian option is possible by omitting the meat and using vegetable broth.
Should I cover the pot while it simmers?
Yes, the instructions specify covering the pot during both the initial tomato simmer and the final one-hour simmer.
How much beef broth powder is used?
The recipe uses 3 tablespoons of beef broth powder.
What is the preparation for the zucchini?
The zucchini should be diced, whether you are using fresh or dried varieties.
When should I adjust the seasoning?
Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary just before serving, after the soup has finished simmering.
What kind of heat is used for browning the meat?
The ground round should be browned over medium heat.
How much pearl barley is added?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of pearl barley.
Is this an easy recipe to follow?
Yes, it is tagged as an 'easy' recipe and involves simple stovetop simmering.
What are the main categories for this dish?
It falls under soup, vegetable soup, and comfort food categories.
How many ingredients are in this soup?
There are 13 total ingredients listed for this recipe.
Can I use garden vegetables?
Yes, the recipe encourages using fresh ingredients from your garden or summer bounty.
What is the texture of the soup like?
It has a hearty texture due to the combination of diced potatoes, carrots, zucchini, and pearl barley.