This Slow Cooker Vegetable Beef Soup is one of the easiest soups you will ever make. A flavor-filled soup the entire family will love!
My mom made this for us often when we were growing up. Sometimes if she didn’t have potatoes she would throw in macaroni noodles instead (also very delicious). It is such a simple soup that really doesn’t need any other seasoning besides salt and pepper. As you can also see in the recipe below, you can whip this up in less than 30 minutes start-to-finish if you are in a time crunch and just want to make it on the stovetop. I have done both ways and I really can’t tell that big of a difference. It totally depends on what kind of time you have!
I love making this Slow Cooker Vegetable Beef Soup with our homemade tomato juice (here). The rich flavor of the garden tomatoes come bursting through like nobody’s business. So good!
MY LATEST RECIPES
This soup is the perfect Fall soup but also works well as a Spring soup with the peas and potatoes. It would make for a great, easy St. Patrick’s Day meal (meat, potatoes, and a little green, too)! What I also love about this soup is that it is a light, healthy soup. It has a rich tomato base with no creams or butter. This vegetable beef soup will also leave you feeling nice and full, but in a good way! It sticks to you so you don’t get the munchies later on at night like some soups do. This also freezes well. You can freeze in freezer bags or plastic containers and then thaw completely and heat on the stove (or in a Crock Pot) before serving.
Is this Vegetable Beef Soup Gluten Free?
Yes! This soup can easily be made gluten free by using a gluten free beef broth. Swanson’s Beef Broth is gluten free and works great in this recipe.
More Slow Cooker Soups to Try
- Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice Soup: Chicken and Rice Soup warms you up on cold fall and winter days. It is also ideal for busy days. The ingredients go into the Slow Cooker in the morning and a nice, hot meal awaits in the evening.
- Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup: There are so many different vegetables in this Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup. It is very healthy and hearty.
- Slow Cooker Cheese Tortellini Soup: This Cheese Tortellini Soup is a flavorful, easy slow cooker meal. Tortellini, sausage, and spinach in a creamy tomato soup and slow cooked to perfection.
- Slow Cooker Pasta E Fagioli Soup: Our version of the Olive Garden Pasta E Fagioli Soup tastes just like the original. It is an Italian seasoned soup easily made in the slow cooker.
- Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana Soup: Many agree that this Zuppa Toscana Soup Olive Garden Copycat is actually better than the original! It has a creamy both base and is loaded with sausage and potatoes.
How to Make Slow Cooker Vegetable Beef Soup
Slow Cooker Vegetable Beef Soup
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 c. beef broth
- 1 quart vegetable/tomato juice click here or store bought works fine
- 4 medium potatoes diced (you can peel them if you prefer, but leaving the skin on is good too)
- 1 c. frozen or canned green beans
- 1 c. frozen or canned corn
- 1 c. frozen peas
- 2-3 carrots sliced
- salt and pepper to taste
-
In a skillet cook ground beef with onion until browned and season with salt and pepper.
-
Place cooked ground beef mixture and remaining ingredients in a large slow cooker and cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 4-6 hours or until potatoes are fork-tender.
-
*If you do not want to use a slow cooker, brown beef and onion in a large pot or Dutch oven and add remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer about 20 minutes or until potatoes are fork-tender.
Jeanne says
Can’t wait to try!
JEAN TAYLOR says
THIS WILL BE SO GOOD WHEN SNOW ON THE GROUND OR ANYTIME. THANKS !!!
Laura says
Why tomato juice and not tomato sauce?
Erica says
Tomato juice is a little thinner and not quite as rich as tomato sauce. Tomato sauce may make it too thick but you can definitely try it!
Shelley says
I like to use V8 juice in my soup. That’s really good too.
Echo says
Great idea! You can use V8 or tomato juice.
Grover says
I used can crushed tomatoes and chicken broth to get my consistency like I like. You can add more broth as needed, plus we all know the soup is going to be better the second day!!
Ch says
If I bought canned veggies to put in the soup, do I drain them or throw it all in? Don’t want it to be too thin considering it calls for 2 cups of beef broth and tomato juice.
Echo says
Definitely drain the vegetables if you are using canned. You are right – it will water down the soup too much. Thanks for asking!
Nancy says
Instead of using canned veggies (so much sodium), consider trying frozen veggies.
Pam says
Spicy V-8 gives it an even better flavor!
Katie says
I did tomato sauce and it was just as good plus it is cheaper
Dawn says
I added diced celery and 1 tbs of garlic paste when cooking the ground beef and onion. Also with the potatoes I added 2 parsnips. In soup and stews I always add them, thd kids can’t tell t g e different between those and potatoes! It’s amother way to get them to eat new veggies!
marceeah says
Drain the canned corn and green beans first?
Erica says
It honestly doesn’t make that big of a difference. I usually drain them but it isn’t necessary
Rachelle Munoz says
About how many servings does this make?
Erica says
It makes quite a bit. Probably a good 8-10 servings if it is the only dish you are serving.
Dee says
Your recipes gives me an idea of what to cook especially during cold season. I can’t wait to try. Thank you for sharing!
Emily says
You’re welcome!
Wendy says
If you want to use macaroni instead of potatoes, how would you and how much ? Thanks!
Erica says
We haven’t tried that before but I am guessing maybe 1 1/2 c. and you would put it in 30 minutes or so before serving. Any longer and you will have soggy macaroni
Elaine Fernandez says
If you use Macaroni, I would cook it seperatly and than add it to our bowl than soup. If you put it in the and you put left over in the Fridge, the pasta will absorb the broth up. I learned that lesson with chicken soup.
Janis says
Very good tasting and very easy.
Denise says
I do not like tomato juice can I use all beef broth instead?
Echo says
Yes, you can. The soup will look and taste a little different. You may want to thicken it a little with some cornstarch or flour.
Elaine Fernandez says
I would cook the pasta separate and add it to your bowl with the soup. Because if you put it in the soup and don’t finish it. The next day you’ll find it absorbed all the broth. I learned my lesson from making chicken soup.
Joe Ariondo says
You can use Italian Latinas. 1 cup 1/2 hour before soups done. It will absorb the broth so add 1 extra cup of stock on the front end.
Joe Ariondo says
Should have read Pastinas
Janet says
I added a small can of diced tomatoes a few cloves of minced garlic as I thought it tasted a bit bland even after a few hours in the crock pot. It was delish and even better The day after!
Echo says
Great ideas! Thank you, Janet!
Jill says
UK subscriber here. Sorry if its a daft question but I am trying to convert to UK measures.
When you list in the ingredients:
2 c. beef broth
and
1 c. frozen peas
what does the ‘c’ stand for (measurement wise).
Many thanks,
Jill
Erica says
Hi Jill– c. = cups… which is equivalent to 8 fl. oz. when using liquids. If you are using an 8 fl. oz container to measure, that is what you would measure the peas in. (even though the peas probably won’t be 8 oz. in weight) does that make sense?
Nancy says
1 cup or 8 fluid ounces or ½ pint equals 250 ml
Ken says
I made this Soup with low sodium broth and tomato juice, it turned out amazing. I’m so sharing this recipe with friends and family, it’s so good I walk and have a sample every time I walk by.
I just wanted to share and say Thank you for the recipe
Echo says
Thank you so much for sharing, Ken! I’m glad so you like the recipe!
jackie wooton says
I use tomatoe sauce and a can of diced tomatoes,I also use a bag of mixed frozen veggies put in half hour before wanting to serve.I havent used beef broth before but I might just try it.
Echo says
Thank you for sharing, Jackie! Great ideas!
Alex says
Anyone tried making this on the stove for an hour or so? I don’t have a crockpot but want to make this!
Echo says
Hi Alex, If you do not want to use a slow cooker (or want to whip it up quickly), brown beef/onion in a large pot or Dutch oven and add remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer about 20 minutes or until potatoes are fork-tender. Thanks for asking!
Linda Duran says
I add about 3/4 picante sauce mild to hot, depending on your taste, adds a little extra kick.
Echo says
Great idea! Thanks for sharing!
Brandy says
Hi, do you drain the beef/onion? And can I use canned peas instead of frozen? Thank you can’t wait to try it.
Echo says
Yes, I always drain the grease from the beef. You can use canned peas, but I would add them to the slow cooker 30 minutes to an hour before serving so they don’t get overcooked. Thanks for asking!
Samantha says
Hi. I was wondering if you have ever used canned carrots for this recipe? Dying to make this tonight but out of carrots other than canned!!
Echo says
I haven’t, but you can definitely used canned carrots. I would add them to the crockpot 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving. They may get really soft and soggy if you add them before. Thanks for asking!
Dar C. says
I make a soup like this without slow cooker, too many unnecessary dirty dishes. I also add a can of cream of mushroom soup mixed into the grnd beef and use V8 juice instead of plain tomato juice. More flavor and vitamins.
Echo says
Great ideas! Thank you for sharing!
Cathi Davis says
Hi. Can frozen carrots and frozen potatoes be used?
Echo says
Absolutely. You can use fresh or frozen. Thanks for asking Cathi!
Kristina says
is this calling for veggie broth and tomato juice or either or
Echo says
The recipe calls for both beef broth and juice (tomato juice or vegetable juice like V-8). Thanks for asking!
Kayla says
What size crockpot did you use?
Favorite Family Recipes says
I used a 6 qt …
Janell says
I added a cup of frozen okra. Delicious
Favorite Family Recipes says
Great addition idea! Thanks for sharing!
Sarah Brydon says
Double the recipe and put some in a gallon size freezer bag. Easy fast meal for those long work days.
Sarah Brydon says
Sweet potatoes work great also.
Favorite Family Recipes says
Great idea!
Sandra says
Could I use cut up stew meat instead of gr. beef? If so, how much do you recommend?
Favorite Family Recipes says
Absolutely! Probably a pound or two would be perfect. Just be sure to braise the beef before adding it to the slow cooker so all those tasty juices get trapped in 🙂
Abby says
If i want to use 2lbs of ground beef do I i just double everything as far as the ingredients? How long do you recommended I leave the slow cooker on for , 6 hrs to longer ?
Favorite Family Recipes says
That totally depends. You can have 2 lbs of beef and keep the other measurements the same and just make it extra beefy! You could even do 2 lbs of beef and then 1 1/2 times the other ingredients. Totally up to you. The slow cooker times will remain the same, even if doubled. Hope this helps!
Rene says
I usually use canned potatoes and it is really good!! I’m thinking of maybe adding shredded carrots and celery too!!
Favorite Family Recipes says
Thank you for sharing this, Rene. I also think shredded carrots and celery would be delicious in this soup.
Adrianna says
If you substitute the vegetable juice with tomato sauce how much tomato sauce do you use? Thus recipe sounds delicious btw!!
Favorite Family Recipes says
We haven’t done it this way before. We have used tomato JUICE but not sauce. You could probably use half the amount and then add beef broth to equal the same amount. Does that make sense?
Pat says
I use Del Monte Veg-All. It has all the vegetables you need in one can. I pour the veggies in a colander and rinse under the water and let it drain for a while. This rinses that canned taste off.
Kay says
Have you ever made it without the ground beef? If so, how does it taste? Also, I was wondering how much actual salt and pepper you use? My soups don’t turn out when I’m told to use to taste,
Favorite Family Recipes says
Yes, you can make it with chicken or you can leave it out. You can also add macaroni noodles at the end so it is more of a minestrone soup. For the salt, I would say just add maybe a half teaspoon and then serve with salt and pepper on the table, that way people can add it to their own tastes. Hope this helps!
jaci says
I. Usebeef chuck and cut into small pieces instead of ground meat. It was so you,my
Terri says
Thinking of making this tonight with Zing Zang Bloody Mary Mix…I’m too lazy to drive to store for V8 juice. Looks so good
Favorite Family Recipes says
That sounds like it would still be great! Let us know how it turns out!
Judy Uh says
Could I half this recipe for a 4qt slow cooker?
Favorite Family Recipes says
absolutely!
Judy says
Should I half this recipe for a 4 qt slow cooker?
Favorite Family Recipes says
That would probably be best if you want to avoid overflow. Hope this helps!
Lauren says
Have you tried this in an instapot? If so, how long do you cook for?
Favorite Family Recipes says
I haven’t made it in an instant pot before but if I WERE to make it in an instant pot I would use the sauté function– cook up the beef and onions and then throw the rest in and put it on high pressure for maybe 4-5 minutes. Those veggies will cook up fast! Hope this helps!