Traditional Old Fashioned Vegetable Soup
A hearty, comforting vegetable and beef soup featuring tender meats and a medley of fresh and frozen vegetables, perfect for satisfying family dinners or cold days.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb. stew meat ⓘ
- 2 large cans tomatoes ⓘ
- 1 pkg. frozen corn ⓘ
- 1 pkg. frozen limas ⓘ
- 1 pkg. frozen peas ⓘ
- 1 pkg. frozen green beans
- 1 lb. carrots, sliced 1/4-inch on bias
- 1/4 head shredded cabbage ⓘ
- 2 or 3 stalks celery, chopped ⓘ
- 3 to 5 lb. potatoes, cubed ⓘ
- 1 pkg. onion soup mix ⓘ
- 1 qt. water ⓘ
- oregano ⓘ
- bay leaf ⓘ
- thyme ⓘ
- rosemary ⓘ
Instructions
- In a large pot, brown the stew meat over medium heat until cooked through.
- Add water to the pot and bring to a boil.
- Stir in the onion soup mix, oregano, bay leaf, thyme, and rosemary.
- Add the cubed potatoes and sliced carrots; simmer for about 30 minutes until tender.
- Stir in the canned tomatoes, frozen corn, limas, peas, green beans, and shredded cabbage.
- Add chopped celery and continue to cook for another 30-40 minutes until all vegetables are tender.
- Adjust seasoning as desired and serve hot.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider browning the meat in batches to avoid steaming. If you don't have onion soup mix, you can use a combination of dried onion, garlic powder, and a touch of salt. Feel free to swap or add your favorite vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini. For a vegetarian version, substitute the stew meat with hearty mushrooms and use vegetable broth.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your Old Fashioned Vegetable Soup with crusty bread for a hearty meal, or pair it with a light salad like Cucumber And Onion Potato Salad for a refreshing contrast. It’s also delightful topped with a sprinkle of fresh herbs or grated cheese. For a cozy night, enjoy it alongside a bowl of One Hour Scranton Chili Sauce for a spicy kick.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm it on the stovetop over medium heat until heated through, adding a splash of water if it thickens too much. You can also freeze the soup for up to 3 months; just thaw it in the fridge before reheating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Traditional Old Fashioned Vegetable Soup contains roughly 429 calories, with 12g protein, 77g carbohydrates, and 14g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (130% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (127% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (118% of the Daily Value). It also contributes 36g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
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 fresh vegetables instead of frozen?
Absolutely! Fresh vegetables can enhance the flavor and texture of the soup. Just be sure to adjust cooking times, as fresh veggies may cook faster than frozen ones. For example, add them in after the potatoes are tender, ensuring everything is perfectly cooked.
How can I make this soup vegetarian?
To make this soup vegetarian, simply omit the stew meat and use vegetable broth instead of water. You can also add more protein by including beans or lentils. Adjust the seasonings to enhance the flavor, ensuring a satisfying vegetarian option.
What can I do if the soup is too salty?
If your soup turns out too salty, try adding more diced potatoes or a few cups of water to dilute the saltiness. You can also add a pinch of sugar to balance the flavors. Let it simmer a bit longer to ensure everything melds nicely.
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).