Savory Winter Warm-Up Beef and Vegetable Soup
This Savory Winter Warm-Up Beef and Vegetable Soup is the quintessential comfort food that brings warmth to even the coldest of days. Loaded with rich flavors from tender ground beef, fresh vegetables, and hearty lentils, this soup is not only delicious but also nutritious. The combination of spices enhances the depth of the broth, while the new white potatoes add a satisfying texture. Perfectly paired with crusty bread or a crisp salad, this dish will quickly become a family favorite. Despite the long ingredient list, the preparation is straightforward, making it an ideal choice for a cozy night in or for meal prep for the week ahead.
N/A
Servings
170
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
ground beef
1 lb (browned)
olive oil
1 tablespoon (for sautéing)
white onions
2 medium (chopped)
celery
2 stalks (chopped)
low sodium beef broth
2 (14 1/2 ounce) cans (none)
carrots
3 (chopped)
tomatoes
2 (chopped)
new white potatoes
6 (quartered)
water
2 cups (none)
dry lentils
1/2 cup (rinsed)
green beans
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can (undrained)
fennel bulbs
2 tablespoons (chopped)
red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon (none)
salt
1 teaspoon (or to taste)
oregano
1/2 teaspoon (dried)
basil
1/2 teaspoon (dried)
Instructions
1
In a large pot, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat.
2
Add diced onions and celery, sautéing until the onions become translucent.
3
Stir in the ground beef, cooking until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess grease.
4
Incorporate the chopped carrots, tomatoes, quartered new white potatoes, and rinsed lentils into the pot.
5
Pour in the low sodium beef broth and water, followed by the undrained green beans, chopped fennel bulbs, red pepper flakes, salt, oregano, and basil.
6
Stir well to combine all ingredients, cover the pot, and bring the mixture to a boil.
7
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 1 to 2 hours, until the vegetables are tender and flavors meld together.
8
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed before serving.
Nutrition Information
5g
Fat
22.5g
Carbs
12.5g
Protein
3.75g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Savory Winter Warm-Up Beef and Vegetable Soup?
It is a hearty, nutritious comfort food dish featuring ground beef, lentils, potatoes, and a variety of fresh vegetables in a seasoned beef broth.
What are the primary protein sources in this soup?
The soup contains 1 lb of browned ground beef and 1/2 cup of dry rinsed lentils, providing 12.5g of protein per serving.
How many calories are in one serving of this beef and vegetable soup?
Each serving contains approximately 170 calories.
Is this soup suitable for meal prep?
Yes, it is an ideal choice for meal prep as the flavors meld together over time, making it great for the week ahead.
What kind of potatoes are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 6 new white potatoes, which should be quartered before adding to the pot.
How long does the soup need to simmer?
After bringing the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 1 to 2 hours until the vegetables are tender.
What spices are used to season the broth?
The broth is seasoned with red pepper flakes, salt, dried oregano, and dried basil.
Should the green beans be drained before adding them to the soup?
No, you should add one 14 1/2 ounce can of green beans undrained to the pot.
What is the fat content of this recipe?
The soup contains approximately 5g of fat per serving.
How do I prepare the onions and celery?
Dice 2 medium white onions and 2 stalks of celery, then sauté them in olive oil until the onions are translucent.
Does this soup contain fiber?
Yes, it provides 3.75g of fiber per serving, largely due to the lentils, potatoes, and vegetables.
Is there a specific way to prepare the ground beef?
The ground beef should be cooked in the pot until browned and fully cooked, and any excess grease should be drained.
What kind of broth is recommended?
The recipe specifies using two 14 1/2 ounce cans of low sodium beef broth.
Can I adjust the spiciness of this soup?
Yes, the recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes; you can adjust this amount or the salt to suit your taste.
What type of lentils should I use?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of dry lentils, which should be rinsed before being incorporated into the soup.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are approximately 22.5g of carbohydrates per serving.
What is the role of fennel in this recipe?
2 tablespoons of chopped fennel bulbs are added to provide a unique depth of flavor to the broth.
What should I serve with this beef and vegetable soup?
This soup pairs perfectly with crusty bread or a crisp salad for a complete meal.
Are the carrots and tomatoes fresh or canned?
The recipe calls for 3 chopped fresh carrots and 2 chopped fresh tomatoes.
How much water is added to the soup?
In addition to the beef broth, 2 cups of water are added to the pot.
What are the main tags for this recipe?
The tags include soup, beef, vegetable, comfort food, winter recipes, healthy, hearty, easy, and meal prep.
Do I need to use olive oil?
Yes, 1 tablespoon of olive oil is used to sauté the onions and celery at the start of the process.
Is this a difficult recipe to make?
No, the preparation is straightforward despite the long ingredient list, making it an easy recipe for home cooks.
Why is this called a winter warm-up soup?
It is designed as quintessential comfort food that brings warmth and rich flavors to cold winter days.
Can I use different herbs?
While the recipe specifies dried oregano and basil, you can taste and adjust seasonings as needed before serving.
Is the beef cooked separately?
The beef is stirred into the pot with the sautéed onions and celery and cooked until browned before other ingredients are added.
Are the vegetables added all at once?
The carrots, tomatoes, potatoes, and lentils are added together after the beef is browned, followed by the broth, water, and remaining vegetables.
Does the recipe require salt?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of salt is used, but you can adjust this amount to taste.
How much fennel is required?
The recipe requires 2 tablespoons of chopped fennel bulbs.
Should the pot be covered while simmering?
Yes, you should cover the pot while bringing it to a boil and during the simmering process.