Get ready to savor the comforting flavors of the South with our Southern Vegetable Soup with Ground Beef recipe. This hearty and soul-warming dish brings together a medley of fresh vegetables, tender ground beef, and a blend of aromatic herbs and spices. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or just looking to whip up a satisfying meal, this Southern-inspired soup is a delicious choice. So, roll up your sleeves and join us on a culinary journey through the heart of Southern cuisine as we craft a bowl of warmth and flavor that’ll leave you craving seconds.
Here’s a recipe for southern vegetable soup with ground beef:
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped (any color)
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) tomato sauce
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups diced potatoes
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 cup frozen okra
- 1 cup frozen green beans
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Instructions:
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, carrots, celery, and bell pepper to the pot. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables start to soften.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, and water. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Add the diced potatoes, frozen corn, frozen okra, frozen green beans, dried thyme, dried oregano, and paprika to the pot. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 20-25 minutes or until the potatoes and vegetables are tender.
- Season the soup with salt and black pepper to taste. Adjust the seasonings as needed to suit your preferences.
- Serve the Southern vegetable soup hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley or a sprinkle of shredded cheese if desired.
Enjoy your delicious Southern vegetable soup with ground beef! It’s a comforting and hearty meal that’s perfect for any time of the year.
My Shameless Story about Southern Vegetable Soup with Ground Beef
In the heart of the South, where magnolia trees danced in the warm breeze and fireflies painted the evening sky, there was a small diner known as “Lena’s Comfort Kitchen.” It was a place where time moved a little slower, and the aroma of Southern goodness wafted through the air. At Lena’s, the star of the menu was the Southern Vegetable Soup with Ground Beef, a dish that held a special place in the hearts of the townsfolk.
Lena herself was a woman of immense warmth, her apron a patchwork of memories and spills from countless bowls of soup. She had inherited the recipe from her grandmother, a woman who had whispered secrets of flavor into her ear as a child. Lena believed that a good soup was a labor of love, and she poured her heart into every pot.
One sweltering summer evening, a stranger named Henry wandered into Lena’s Comfort Kitchen. He was a traveler, weary from endless miles on the road. The sun had beaten down on him mercilessly, leaving him parched and longing for a taste of home. The moment he stepped inside, he was greeted by the mouthwatering aroma of Lena’s soup.
Henry settled into a worn-out stool at the counter and ordered a bowl of the Southern Vegetable Soup. Lena, with a welcoming smile and a twinkle in her eye, ladled out a steaming portion into a chipped bowl. As Henry took his first spoonful, the flavors swept him away to a place he had long forgotten.
The ground beef was tender and savory, mingling with the sweetness of the carrots and the earthiness of the celery. The bell pepper added a gentle kick, and the medley of herbs and spices danced on his taste buds like an old, familiar tune. It was the kind of soup that hugged your soul and whispered tales of Southern comfort.
As Henry savored each spoonful, he found himself reminiscing about his own grandmother’s kitchen, the laughter of his family, and the simplicity of life. For a moment, he was transported back to his roots, to a time when life moved slowly, and every meal felt like a warm embrace.
Lena, watching Henry from the kitchen, knew she had worked her magic once again. It wasn’t just soup; it was a journey through memories and a taste of home. When Henry finished his meal, he looked up at Lena, his eyes filled with gratitude. “You’ve given me a taste of heaven,” he said, his voice filled with emotion.
Lena simply nodded, for she knew that in every bowl of Southern Vegetable Soup with Ground Beef, she shared a piece of her heart. It was a simple dish, yet it had the power to connect souls, bridge gaps, and create moments of warmth and connection in the diner’s cozy space.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Henry left Lena’s Comfort Kitchen with a heart full of gratitude and a newfound appreciation for the simple joys of life. And Lena, well, she continued to stir her pots, knowing that her soup would always be a beacon of comfort and love in a world that sometimes moved too fast.