Aunt Zeta'S Vegetable Soup
A hearty vegetable soup combining beans, corn, tomatoes, potatoes, and flavorful browned hamburger, perfect for comforting family meals and versatile for any season.
Ingredients
- 6 medium potatoes ⓘ
- 1 can (14 to 16 oz.) beans ⓘ
- 1 can (14 to 16 oz.) peas ⓘ
- 1 can (14 to 16 oz.) corn ⓘ
- 2 cans (14 to 16 oz.) mixed vegetables ⓘ
- 2 cans (14 to 16 oz.) tomatoes ⓘ
- 2 lb. hamburger ⓘ
- 1/2 cup brown sugar ⓘ
- salt and pepper to taste ⓘ
- 1 can (14 to 16 oz.) pinto beans ⓘ
- 1 medium onion (optional) ⓘ
- 1 to 1 1/2 sticks butter ⓘ
Instructions
- Cook the hamburger until browned and set aside.
- Cook the potatoes and optional onion until tender.
- Combine all cooked ingredients with canned vegetables, tomatoes, and seasonings.
- Simmer the mixture until flavors meld and reheated thoroughly before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a heartier soup, consider adding diced carrots or celery to the mix. If you're short on time, you can use frozen mixed vegetables instead of canned. To enhance the flavor, try adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a few herbs like thyme or oregano. Adjust the brown sugar based on your preference for sweetness; it balances the acidity of the tomatoes. This soup pairs wonderfully with Homemade Garlic Bread.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the soup hot, garnished with fresh parsley or a sprinkle of cheese for added flavor. It makes a great main dish but can also be complemented with a side salad or crusty bread. For a complete meal, consider pairing it with Wacky Water Chestnuts or Asparagus And New Potatoes for a delightful contrast in textures.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply warm it on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. Alternatively, you can microwave individual servings. If the soup thickens too much in the fridge, add a little water or broth when reheating to achieve your desired consistency.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Aunt Zeta'S Vegetable Soup contains roughly 1467 calories, with 24g protein, 255g carbohydrates, and 50g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (192% of the Daily Value), vitamin A (97% of the Daily Value), and protein (48% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1571mg per serving (68% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this soup vegetarian?
Yes! You can easily adapt this recipe to be vegetarian by omitting the hamburger and using vegetable broth instead of water. Substitute the meat with additional beans or lentils for protein, and add more vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers for extra flavor.
How can I freeze this soup?
To freeze the soup, let it cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers. Leave some space at the top for expansion. It can be stored for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then warm on the stove or in the microwave until heated through.
What type of beans can I use?
You can use any variety of beans that you like or have on hand. Black beans, kidney beans, or even chickpeas can be great substitutes. Just be sure to rinse and drain canned beans to reduce sodium content and enhance flavor in your soup.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).