Ground Soup Recipe

Ground soup is one of those comforting, versatile dishes that can be tailored to fit every season and every palate. Whether you’re trying to warm up on a chilly day or looking for a hearty meal that doesn’t require hours in the kitchen, ground soup is the perfect solution. What makes it special is its simplicity combined with endless possibilities-whether you’re starting with a basic broth and ground meat or you’re working with an array of veggies and spices, ground soup allows you to get creative without sacrificing flavor.

Ground soup can be a budget-friendly option, too. You can make a big batch that feeds your whole family for days, and it freezes beautifully, so you can enjoy leftovers without getting bored. So let’s dive into the details of making this fantastic dish. We’ll start with a basic recipe, then I’ll share some key ingredient insights and variations so you can really make it your own.

Ground Soup Recipe

Here’s a basic recipe to get you started, but remember: the beauty of ground soup is in its flexibility. Feel free to add your favorite ingredients or adjust the seasonings to fit your taste.

Ingredients Needed

To make a delicious pot of ground soup, you’ll need:

• Ground Meat: 1 lb of your choice (beef, turkey, chicken, pork, or a blend of ground meats work beautifully)

• Vegetables

  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Broth: 4 cups of low-sodium chicken or beef broth
• Canned Tomatoes: 1 can (14.5 oz) of diced tomatoes
• Beans: 1 can (15 oz) of beans (like kidney, black, or white beans), drained and rinsed

• Seasonings

  • 1 tsp of dried thyme
  • 1 tsp of dried oregano
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

• Additional Veggies (Optional)

  • 1 zucchini, diced
  • 1 cup of corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
• Fresh Herbs (Optional for garnish): Chopped parsley or cilantro

Cooking Instructions

Making this soup is incredibly simple. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:

1. Brown the Ground Meat: In a large pot, heat a bit of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground meat and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
2. Sauté the Vegetables: Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the pot with the browned meat. Sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened. Add the garlic and cook for another minute, allowing the garlic to become fragrant.
3. Add the Broth and Tomatoes: Pour in the broth and diced tomatoes (with their juices). Stir to combine.
4. Season the Soup: Add the dried thyme, oregano, bay leaf, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir everything together and bring the soup to a simmer.
5. Simmer the Soup: Let the soup simmer on low heat for about 30 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and the flavors have melded together. Stir occasionally.
6. Add Beans and Optional Ingredients: Stir in your beans and any additional vegetables like zucchini or corn, and let the soup simmer for another 10-15 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
7. Serve and Garnish: Remove the bay leaf before serving. Ladle the soup into bowls, garnish with fresh herbs, and serve hot!

Ingredient Insights

Each ingredient in this soup plays a crucial role, not just for flavor but for texture and nutrition. Let’s take a deeper look at the key components:

• Ground Meat: Ground beef is the most common choice for hearty ground soups, but using leaner meats like turkey or chicken can lower the fat content. The meat provides a rich base and a good source of protein.
• Vegetables: Carrots, celery, and onions (the classic “holy trinity” of soups) form the foundation of flavor, adding sweetness, earthiness, and depth. Garlic adds a fragrant layer of aromatic flavor. Feel free to get creative with other vegetables-zucchini and corn add nice sweetness and texture.
• Broth: The broth is the soul of the soup. Choosing a low-sodium variety helps control the salt levels, especially if you’re adding canned ingredients like beans or tomatoes, which already have some sodium.
• Canned Tomatoes: They add a tangy and rich undertone, helping to balance the savory meat and the vegetables. You could also use fresh tomatoes, but the canned variety is convenient and adds great flavor.
• Beans: Beans provide heartiness and a nutritional punch, packing fiber and protein to make the soup more filling. You can mix and match based on what you like, but kidney, black, or white beans are excellent choices.

Expert Tips

• Use Different Ground Meats: If you want to add some richness to the soup, go for a blend of ground beef and pork. The pork adds a subtle depth of flavor that beef alone can’t match.
• Add Spice: If you like a little heat, consider adding red pepper flakes or a chopped chili pepper. A bit of smoked paprika can also bring a warm, smoky flavor to your soup.
• Simmer Longer for Deeper Flavor: While 30 minutes will give you a flavorful soup, letting it simmer for an hour or more will deepen the flavors even more. Just be sure to keep the heat low to avoid burning.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Pot: If you’re adding multiple types of vegetables, be sure not to overload the pot. You want enough broth and room for the ingredients to cook evenly.
• Blend It (Optional): If you prefer a creamier texture, you can use an immersion blender to blend part of the soup, or even transfer half to a regular blender and then return it to the pot.

Recipe Variations

Ground soup is incredibly adaptable, so if you’re looking to switch things up, here are some great variations:

• Italian Ground Soup: Add some Italian sausage in place of the ground meat, and include more Italian seasonings like basil, rosemary, and a splash of balsamic vinegar. You could also toss in a few handfuls of pasta towards the end of cooking.
• Mexican Ground Soup: Swap in ground beef or turkey, and spice it up with cumin, chili powder, and a dash of lime juice. You could also throw in some black beans and top it off with shredded cheese and a dollop of sour cream.
• Vegetarian Version: Skip the meat entirely and use lentils or quinoa in place of the ground meat. You can add extra beans and vegetables, plus nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.
• Asian Ground Soup: Use ground pork or chicken, add some soy sauce and ginger, and finish the soup with a sprinkle of sesame oil and green onions.

Final Words

Ground soup is truly a versatile recipe that’s made to fit any occasion. You can go classic with beef and vegetables, or take it in a whole new direction with different spices, meat choices, or even completely vegetarian alternatives. It’s the kind of recipe where you can play with textures and flavors until you get the perfect bowl of comfort.

Plus, there’s no wrong way to serve it-whether you’re eating it solo, with a side of crusty bread, or topping it with shredded cheese or a dollop of sour cream, ground soup can be whatever you need it to be.