Ground Beef Stew Soup Recipe

If you’re craving a hearty, comforting dish that will satisfy your hunger and warm you up from the inside out, look no further than a classic Ground Beef Stew Soup. This recipe is perfect for those chilly evenings when you want something filling and flavorful, yet simple to prepare. It combines the rich taste of ground beef with a medley of vegetables, spices, and broth, making it the ultimate cozy meal.

What’s even better? This stew is not just delicious, but also incredibly versatile. You can tailor it to your taste, switch out ingredients based on what’s in season or what you have in your pantry, and it will still come out tasty every time. Whether you’re cooking for one or for a whole family, this dish is guaranteed to bring everyone to the table.

Let’s break it down and dive deep into what makes this stew soup such a winning recipe, step by step!

This stew soup is everything you need in a meal: filling, easy to make, and endlessly customizable. What sets it apart from other soups is the rich flavor of the ground beef, which becomes beautifully tender as it simmers in the broth. The combination of vegetables not only adds texture but also enhances the overall taste, making every spoonful a delight.

Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

Ingredients Needed

For the perfect Ground Beef Stew Soup, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Ground Beef: Choose lean ground beef (about 85% lean) to keep the stew flavorful but not overly greasy. You can also use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
Olive Oil: A bit of olive oil to brown the beef and sauté the vegetables.
Onion: A finely chopped onion adds sweetness and depth of flavor.
Garlic: Minced garlic for that aromatic, savory base.
Carrots: Sliced carrots bring a natural sweetness and are full of nutrients.
Potatoes: Chopped into cubes, they add heartiness and make the stew more filling.
Celery: Adds a nice crunch and earthy flavor to balance out the other ingredients.
Tomatoes: Diced tomatoes (canned or fresh) provide a tangy, slightly acidic component to the stew.
Beef Broth: The base liquid for your stew. You can substitute with vegetable broth for a lighter option.
Bay Leaves: Adds a subtle, herbal depth to the soup.
Thyme: Fresh thyme gives a fragrant note that pairs wonderfully with beef.
Salt and Pepper: To season everything and bring out the natural flavors of the ingredients.
Parsley (optional): Fresh parsley for garnish, adding a pop of color and freshness.

Cooking Instructions

Now that you have all your ingredients ready, it’s time to cook! Follow these simple steps:

Brown The Ground Beef

In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Brown the beef for about 5-7 minutes, until it’s cooked through and no longer pink. Drain any excess fat if needed.
Sauté The Vegetables

To the pot with the browned beef, add the chopped onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Sauté for 3-5 minutes until the vegetables soften and the onion becomes translucent. This step helps build the flavor base for your stew.
Add The Tomatoes And Broth

Stir in the diced tomatoes (with their juices) and cook for another 2 minutes. Then, add the beef broth, making sure everything is well combined.
Season And Simmer

Toss in the bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low. Let the soup simmer for 30-40 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the vegetables to become tender. If you want a thicker stew, you can mash a few of the potatoes with a spoon to release their starch.
Finish And Serve

Just before serving, taste the stew and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if necessary. Remove the bay leaves, then ladle the stew into bowls. Garnish with fresh parsley for a burst of color and a touch of freshness.

Ingredient Insights

Let’s dive deeper into some of the key ingredients of this recipe and what makes them shine:

Ground Beef: This is the main protein of the stew, and its flavor is crucial. Lean ground beef is ideal because it provides a good balance of richness without being too greasy. The browning process creates a deeper, more complex flavor that infuses the whole stew.
Carrots and Celery: These two vegetables are the backbone of the classic mirepoix, the French flavor base used in countless dishes. They add sweetness, earthiness, and texture, making the stew feel more substantial.
Potatoes: The potatoes are a great way to bulk up the stew without adding too many extra calories. They absorb the flavors of the broth, becoming wonderfully soft and flavorful as they cook.
Tomatoes: They offer acidity, which helps balance the richness of the beef and broth. This is why a good tomato base can make a stew feel lighter, despite its hearty ingredients.
Herbs: Fresh thyme and bay leaves are often used in stews to add depth. Bay leaves release a mild, herbal aroma while thyme contributes a bright, earthy flavor that complements the beef perfectly.

Expert Tips

To elevate this stew to the next level, consider these expert tips:

Brown the Meat Well: Don’t rush the browning process. Let the ground beef get nice and browned before adding the vegetables. This deepens the flavor and creates a better base for your stew.
Simmer Low and Slow: Stews are all about the flavors melding together. If you have the time, let the stew simmer for an hour or more to really let everything come together. You’ll notice the flavors become richer the longer it simmers.
Use Homemade Broth: If you have the time and ingredients, homemade beef broth is an absolute game-changer. It’s richer and more flavorful than store-bought options.
Add a Dash of Acid: A squeeze of lemon juice or a splash of vinegar at the end can brighten up the stew and enhance its flavors. This is especially important if you used a lot of tomatoes in the recipe.

Recipe Variations

While the classic version of Ground Beef Stew Soup is delicious, you can play around with ingredients to suit your tastes or what you have on hand:

Swap the Beef: You can use ground turkey, chicken, or even ground pork instead of beef for a lighter or different flavor profile.
Add More Vegetables: Try adding peas, green beans, or parsnips for extra nutrition and color.
Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes, or throw in a diced jalapeño for a little heat.
Herb Variations: Experiment with rosemary, oregano, or sage in place of thyme and bay leaves for a new flavor dimension.
Beef Broth Alternatives: Use vegetable broth or even chicken broth for a lighter, non-beef option.

Final Words

This Ground Beef Stew Soup is a meal that brings people together. It’s not only a great way to use simple ingredients but also a way to create something hearty, filling, and satisfying without spending all day in the kitchen. The flavor combinations are timeless and comforting, and it’s easily adaptable to whatever you have on hand.

Ground Beef Stew Soup Recipe