Crockpot Vegetable Beef Soup

4.90 from 75 votes
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Crockpot Vegetable Beef Soup is full of savory ground beef and hearty vegetables. This is one of the best and easiest dinners to throw together on a busy, chilly day, making this a family favorite!

A bowl of crock pot vegetable beef stew.
Featured with this recipe
  1. Ingredients in Crockpot Vegetable Beef Soup
  2. How to Make Homemade Vegetable Beef Soup
  3. The More Veggies the Better
  4. Best Vegetables for Vegetable Beef Soup
  5. Variations and Substitutions
  6. Frequently Asked Questions
  7. Storing and Reheating
  8. More Crockpot Soups to Try
  9. How to Make Crockpot Vegetable Beef Soup
  10. Crockpot Vegetable Beef Soup Recipe

Crockpot vegetable beef soup is the kind of meal that you throw together in the morning on busy days in the Crockpot, and let simmer all day. Pure comfort food. Make it a complete meal and serve it with garlic bread, or our favorite hot cheese bread, for a simple, healthy, and hearty supper. It’s so easy to make, that you will never reach for canned soup again!

In a skillet, brown the ground beef using a little bit of olive oil until it’s browned. After that, add the beef and the rest of the ingredients into the crock pot and let it simmer on low all day. Dinner will be hot and ready, and your house will smell fragrant and yummy! The ground beef can be swapped out for ground turkey or even tender chunks of beef cut into bite-sized pieces.

Ingredients in Crockpot Vegetable Beef Soup

While it seems like there are many ingredients in this recipe, making vegetable beef soup is quite simple. One of those easy soup recipes that you will keep coming back to. All you have to do is toss everything in the crockpot! Here’s what you need:

  • Ground beef – you can use hamburger, ground turkey, or even ground chicken.
  • Onion – White or yellow onions are great flavors in this crockpot soup. White has a more mild flavor compared to a yellow onion.
  • Beef broth – Adds flavor and liquid to the slow cooker vegetable beef soup. It is a great combination and gives the best beef flavor.
  • Vegetable juice – Any brand works great! You can also use tomato juice if you prefer.
  • Potatoes – You can peel them if you prefer, but leaving the skin on is good too. Russet potatoes or Yukon gold are delicious in this soup. Potatoes add heartiness and make the soup more filling. You can use russet, Yukon Gold, or red potatoes, depending on the texture you prefer.
  • Frozen corn – Canned corn works well too. Corn kernels, whether fresh, frozen, or canned, bring a touch of sweetness and texture to the soup.
  • Frozen peas – Frozen peas hold up better in this recipe than canned peas. Peas provide a burst of sweetness and vibrant green color. We use frozen peas because they are the most convenient.
  • Carrots – You can use baby carrots if that’s what you have on hand. Carrots add sweetness and color. They’re a classic choice for vegetable beef soup and offer a natural sweetness when cooked. We like to use whole carrots and cut them into thick slices.
  • Seasonings – we use bay leaf, celery salt, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper to taste
Ingredients for crock pot vegetable beef stew.


How to Make Homemade Vegetable Beef Soup

This is a simple soup recipe that is easily made in the morning and can slow cook throughout the day. This is a great balanced dinner that is filling and comforting. You can customize the vegetable beef soup with your favorite ingredients and let the slow cooker do all the work!

  1. Brown – In a skillet cook ground beef with onion until browned and season with salt and pepper.
  2. Slow cooker – Place cooked ground beef mixture and remaining ingredients in a large slow cooker and cook on high for 2 to 3 hours or low for 4 to 6 hours or until potatoes are fork-tender.
  3. Stove top – If you do not want to use a slow cooker, brown beef, and onion in a large pot or Dutch oven and add the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes or until potatoes are fork-tender.

The More Veggies the Better

This healthy beef vegetable soup begins with a rich tomato base with no creams or butter. Try making it with our homemade tomato juice. The rich flavor of those garden tomatoes adds a fresh, vibrant flavor to the vegetables and beef.

Add any veggies you like (or ones you know your kids will eat). We love peas, carrots, corn, and green beans, but you could add any number of fresh or frozen veggies. The more the better! You can even stir in an entire bag of frozen mixed vegetables to save time.

Best Vegetables for Vegetable Beef Soup

A variety of vegetables can complement vegetable beef soup, adding flavor, texture, and nutrition. Feel free to mix and match these vegetables based on your preferences and what you have on hand. Vegetable beef soup is highly adaptable, so you can customize it to suit your taste and dietary needs.

  • Onions – Onions provide a savory, aromatic base for the soup. You can use yellow or white onions, depending on your taste.
  • Celery – Celery provides a mild, earthy flavor and adds a nice crunch to the soup. It’s a common ingredient in many soup recipes.
  • Tomatoes Tomatoes, whether canned diced tomatoes or fresh tomatoes, give the soup a pleasant acidity and richness. They also enhance the broth.
  • Green Beans – Green beans add a fresh, crisp element to the soup. You can use fresh, canned, or frozen green beans.
  • Bell Peppers Bell peppers, especially red, yellow, or orange ones, can add a subtle sweetness and color contrast to the soup.
  • Zucchini or Squash – These vegetables can be a great addition, particularly if you prefer a slightly softer texture in your soup. Be sure to add them near the end so they don’t get overcooked.
  • Greens – Leafy greens like spinach or kale can be added near the end of cooking for a nutrient boost.
  • Cabbage – Shredded cabbage can add a hearty, earthy flavor and works well with beef.
  • Mushrooms – Mushrooms, such as cremini or button mushrooms, can contribute an earthy, umami flavor.
A bowl of crock pot vegetable beef stew.

Variations and Substitutions

Create the best crockpot vegetable beef soup with all your favorite ingredients! Choose your type of beef, try different beans, or try it with a new flavoring. Even cook on the stovetop if needed! All these variations can make for a remarkable vegetable beef soup dinner!

  • Beef – We like to use ground beef in this recipe, but you can use other beef stew meat or bite-sized pieces of chuck roast if that is what you have available.
  • Noodles – If you don’t have any potatoes on hand, use macaroni noodles! They’ll cook up perfectly along with the rest of the veggies and make it seem like a different soup!
  • Beans – Kidney beans, navy beans, or lentils are great options for added protein and fiber.
  • Rice – Adding barley or rice can add a nice texture and make the soup more filling.
  • Cooking Wine – Try adding a splash of red cooking wine while simmering for more depth of flavor.
  • Stovetop – No time to wait for the Crockpot to do the work? No problem! This vegetable beef soup recipe can also be made in just 30 minutes by simmering the ingredients on medium-high heat on the stovetop. I have prepared it both ways and you can’t tell a difference. It all depends on what kind of time you have.
  • Year-round – This soup isn’t just for the fall and winter months. Try it with fresh or frozen peas and potatoes in the springtime for a fresh, vibrant soup. Or serve it alongside our Irish Soda Bread for an easy St. Patrick’s Day meal.
  • Topping – Garnish with fresh parsley, basil, thyme, or oregano for extra flavor.

“This was so easy to put together. I used V-8 juice and it turned out excellent.
Thank you for sharing this recipe. Tasted just like my mom used to make. So good!!”

-Frances A. Warren

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you add more flavor to vegetable beef soup?

For an extra kick, try a shot or two of Tabasco sauce, a quarter teaspoon of cayenne pepper, fresh jalapeño peppers, or diced green chiles.

Is this crockpot soup gluten-free?

Vegetable Beef Soup is a perfect meal for a gluten-free diet. Just make sure to swap out regular beef broth for a GF version. Swanson’s Beef Broth is gluten-free and works great in this recipe.

Can this vegetable beef soup be frozen?

Homemade vegetable beef soup freezes beautifully! You can freeze in freezer bags or plastic airtight containers, and then thaw completely and heat on the stove in a crockpot before serving.

How long is vegetable beef soup good for?

If stored in the refrigerator, you can keep the leftovers good for up to five days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop in a saucepan.

Is vegetable beef soup good for you?

Yes, this soup is high in protein, fiber, calcium, and multiple vitamins and is also low in calories.

Storing and Reheating

To store, allow the soup to cool within two hours at room temperature, and then transfer to an airtight container.

  • Storing – Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 to 5 days or in the freezer for 3 to 4 months.
  • Reheating – When reheating, options include the microwave for individual servings, the stovetop for even heating, or a slow cooker for larger batches. When reheating from frozen, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before heating.
  • Helpful tip – Be cautious not to bring the soup to a boil during reheating to prevent overcooking the vegetables. Adding a bit of liquid may be necessary to reach the desired consistency.

READ MORE:Easy Ground Beef Recipes

More Crockpot Soups to Try

Soup is a comforting and loving dinner that hugs you from the inside out. It is a great way to share with family and friends as well as have a warm dinner throughout the colder months. Try these delicious crockpot soups that are easy to make and gather everyone around the table!

How to Make Crockpot Vegetable Beef Soup

A bowl of crock pot vegetable beef stew

Crockpot Vegetable Beef Soup

4.90 from 75 votes
Crockpot vegetable beef soup is full of savory ground beef and hearty vegetables. One of the easiest soups to throw together on a busy, chilly day, and always a family favorite!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 15 minutes
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Servings 8

Video

Equipment

  • Crockpot Slow Cooker

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 2 cups 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 cup frozen corn canned corn works well too.
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 2-3 carrots sliced
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon celery salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • salt and pepper to taste (start with 2 teaspoons of each)

Instructions

  • In a skillet cook ground beef with onion until browned and season with salt and pepper.  
    ingredients for crock pot vegetable beef stew
  • Place cooked ground beef mixture and remaining ingredients in a large slow cooker and cook on high for 2 to 3 hours or low for 4 to 6 hours or until potatoes are fork-tender.
    crock pot vegetable beef stew in the slow cooker
  • *If you do not want to use a slow cooker, brown beef and onion in a large pot or Dutch oven and add the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes or until potatoes are fork-tender.
    A bowl of crock pot vegetable beef stew

Notes

  • Try making this soup base with our homemade tomato juice. The rich flavor of those garden tomatoes adds a fresh, vibrant flavor to the vegetables and beef.
  • If you don’t have any potatoes on hand, use macaroni noodles! They will cook up perfectly along with the rest of the veggies and create a totally different soup!
  • This vegetable beef soup recipe can also be made in just 30 minutes by simmering the ingredients on medium-high heat on the stovetop. 

Nutrition Information

Calories: 286kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 16gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 490mgPotassium: 1056mgFiber: 6gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 3755IUVitamin C: 59mgCalcium: 82mgIron: 6mg

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About the author

Erica Walker

Erica lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband, Jared, an attorney, and her three beautiful girls. Beyond the world of recipes, she loves adventuring with everything from kayaking, to cruising, to snowboarding and taking the family along for the thrill ride.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Since I have a garden I added some fresh skinned and diced tomatoes instead of tomato juice, celery instead of celery salt, some cut up zucchini, and green and yellow beans to the soup. That was in addition to fresh dug potatoes and carrots, picked peas fresh onions, and frozen corn. I also minced a couple cloves of garlic instead of using powdered. I added beef consommé, also. I can’t rate the recipe as printed because I changed so many things and added the veggies according to their cooking time. The recipe gave me a great starting point and it’s delicious.

    1. That sounds delicious! Glad that you made it your own. We will have to try it that way too!

  2. 5 stars
    This was so easy to put together. I used V-8 juice and it turned out excellent.
    Thank you for sharing this recipe. Tasted just like my mom used to make. So good!!
    I added extra veggies so it took a little longer, but well worth the wait.

  3. I forgot the tomato juice. I have tomato paste and tomato soup on hand… can I substitute with either of those?

  4. 5 stars
    This was an easy delicious recipe that tastes just like my grandma’s favorite soup. I’ll be making it again!

  5. 5 stars
    Definitely perfect for the cooler weather we are starting to have! I love the minimal prep time and how everything can just be thrown into the slow cooker. Yum!

  6. 5 stars
    I love vegetable beef soup! I’m so glad I found this recipe so that I can make it easily in the crock pot!

  7. 5 stars
    I have never made vegetable beef soup with ground beef and it’s so good! Love using my crockpot again now that the weather is cooler! Thank you!

  8. 5 stars
    What a delicious recipe! We loved it! This is the time of year when we love soup recipes, we will definitely be making it again soon!

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