Savory Beef and Lentil Soup with Vegetables
Warm up with this hearty and nutritious Savory Beef and Lentil Soup packed with protein-rich lentils and tender beef tips. Slow-cooked to perfection in your crock pot, this soup features a delightful medley of vegetables, including carrots, celery, and bell peppers, all simmered in a rich tomato broth. It's a comforting, one-pot meal perfect for chilly days, and is sure to be a hit with the whole family. Serve it alongside a slice of Honey Cornbread for a delightful combination.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
beef tips
3 lbs (cut into bite-sized pieces)
flour
1/4 cup (all-purpose)
lentils
1 lb (picked over and rinsed)
onion
1 small (chopped)
carrots
2 (peeled and diced)
celery hearts
2 (finely chopped)
red bell pepper
1 (chopped)
diced tomatoes
1 (14 ounce) can (with juice)
tomato paste
3 tablespoons
chicken broth
6-7 cups (low sodium)
thyme
1 tablespoon
oregano
1 tablespoon
cumin
1 teaspoon
curry
1 teaspoon
salt
1/2 teaspoon
pepper
1/2 teaspoon
cayenne
1 dash
Instructions
1
In a large bowl, toss the beef tips with flour until they are evenly coated.
2
Place the coated beef tips in the crock pot.
3
Add the rinsed lentils, chopped onion, diced carrots, finely chopped celery, and chopped red bell pepper to the pot.
4
Pour in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and chicken broth. Stir to combine.
5
Sprinkle in the thyme, oregano, cumin, curry, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Mix well to distribute the spices evenly.
6
Cover and cook on High for 6 hours, or until the beef and lentils are tender.
7
For a thicker soup, remove 4-6 cups of the soup (without meat) in batches, and blend until smooth using a food processor or an immersion blender.
8
Return the blended mixture back into the crock pot, stirring well.
9
Continue to cook on Low for an additional hour to allow the flavors to meld.
10
Serve hot, paired with Honey Cornbread #270877 for a complete meal.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Beef and Lentil Soup with Vegetables?
It is a hearty and nutritious slow-cooked soup featuring beef tips, protein-rich lentils, and a medley of vegetables in a rich tomato and chicken broth.
How much beef is required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 3 lbs of beef tips, cut into bite-sized pieces.
Do I need to brown the beef before putting it in the crock pot?
No, the instructions specify to toss the beef tips with flour and place them directly into the crock pot without prior browning.
What type of lentils should be used?
The recipe requires 1 lb of lentils that have been picked over and rinsed.
What is the purpose of the flour in the recipe?
The flour is used to coat the beef tips, which helps to thicken the soup as it cooks in the slow cooker.
How many carrots are included in the soup?
The recipe uses two carrots, which should be peeled and diced.
What kind of celery is recommended?
The recipe specifies using 2 celery hearts, finely chopped.
Is a specific type of bell pepper required?
Yes, the recipe calls for one chopped red bell pepper.
What kind of broth is used for the base?
The soup uses 6 to 7 cups of low sodium chicken broth.
Are the diced tomatoes drained before adding to the pot?
No, you should use one 14-ounce can of diced tomatoes along with their juice.
What spices are used to season the soup?
The soup is seasoned with thyme, oregano, cumin, curry, salt, pepper, and a dash of cayenne.
How long does the soup need to cook on High?
The initial cooking time is 6 hours on the High setting, or until the beef and lentils are tender.
How can I make the soup thicker?
To thicken the soup, remove 4-6 cups of the soup (excluding the meat) and blend it until smooth before returning it to the pot.
Can I use an immersion blender for this recipe?
Yes, an immersion blender or a food processor can be used to blend portions of the soup to achieve a thicker consistency.
Is there a final cooking step after blending?
Yes, after returning the blended mixture to the crock pot, continue cooking on Low for an additional hour.
What side dish is recommended for this meal?
It is recommended to serve the soup alongside Honey Cornbread.
Does the recipe use tomato paste?
Yes, 3 tablespoons of tomato paste are added to the broth for richness.
How much cumin and curry are used?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of cumin and 1 teaspoon of curry powder.
Is the soup very spicy?
The soup contains a dash of cayenne and curry, providing warmth and flavor, but it is generally a savory rather than an overly spicy dish.
What size onion is needed?
The recipe calls for one small onion, chopped.
How much salt and pepper should I add?
The recipe suggests 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper.
What are the primary tags associated with this recipe?
Key tags include soup, beef, lentils, crock pot, hearty, vegetables, and comfort food.
Is this a good meal for cold weather?
Yes, the description highlights it as a comforting, one-pot meal perfect for chilly days.
How much thyme and oregano is required?
The recipe uses 1 tablespoon of thyme and 1 tablespoon of oregano.
Do I blend the beef pieces?
No, when blending to thicken the soup, you should only remove batches of the soup without the meat.
What is the total suggested cooking time?
The total cooking time is approximately 7 hours: 6 hours on High and 1 hour on Low.
Can this be considered a high-protein soup?
Yes, it is packed with protein from both the 3 lbs of beef tips and the 1 lb of lentils.
Should the beef be cut into specific sizes?
The beef tips should be cut into bite-sized pieces for even cooking and ease of eating.
What does the tomato paste add to the dish?
The tomato paste helps create a rich, savory tomato-based broth.
Is this recipe family-friendly?
Yes, the description states it is a comforting meal that is sure to be a hit with the whole family.