Grandma'S Vegetable Soup
A hearty and flavorful vegetable soup featuring potatoes, okra, cabbage, and tomatoes, perfect for comforting family meals and suitable for all vegetable lovers.
Ingredients
- 2 Irish potatoes, peeled and diced ⓘ
- 1 stalk celery, diced ⓘ
- 1 lb. okra, cut in pieces ⓘ
- 1/4 small cabbage, chopped ⓘ
- 1 medium onion, diced ⓘ
- 1 small can Niblets corn or 1 cup fresh corn ⓘ
- 2 large cans tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons sugar ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon Texas Pete hot sauce ⓘ
- 1/4 cup bacon or fat meat drippings ⓘ
- 1/4 cup rice
- 1/2 cup large elbow macaroni (optional) ⓘ
Instructions
- Simmer all ingredients except rice and macaroni for 45 minutes.
- Add rice and macaroni; cook for 20 minutes longer.
- Season as desired with beef or beef stock.
Tips & Substitutions
For optimal flavor, sauté the onion and celery in the bacon drippings before adding other ingredients. Feel free to substitute fresh vegetables based on what you have on hand, such as green beans or zucchini. If you prefer a thicker soup, consider adding a tablespoon of tomato paste. For a spicier kick, increase the Texas Pete hot sauce to your taste. Explore more American recipes for variations.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this comforting vegetable soup with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with Shrimp And Gravy for a delightful contrast in flavors. Top each bowl with freshly chopped parsley or a sprinkle of grated cheese for added richness. This soup is perfect for gatherings or as a hearty family dinner option.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm the soup on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally. If it thickens too much, add a little water or broth to reach your desired consistency. For longer storage, consider freezing portions and thawing them overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Grandma'S Vegetable Soup contains roughly 185 calories, with 7g protein, 32g carbohydrates, and 5g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (100% of the Daily Value) and dietary fiber (25% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2515mg per serving (109% 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 use frozen vegetables instead of fresh?
Yes, frozen vegetables can be used as a convenient alternative. Just add them during the last 20 minutes of cooking to ensure they don't become mushy. Adjust the cooking time as needed, and you'll still enjoy a delicious soup.
How can I make this soup vegetarian?
To make the soup vegetarian, omit the bacon or fat meat drippings and use vegetable broth instead of beef stock. This will maintain the depth of flavor while keeping the soup plant-based. You can also add more vegetables or legumes for protein.
What can I do if the soup is too salty?
If the soup is too salty, try adding a peeled potato to absorb some of the excess salt. Let it simmer for a while and then remove the potato. Alternatively, adding more water or broth can help balance the flavors.
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).