Heartwarming Beef Soup Recipes that will have your Family Yearning for More
In the realm of comfort food, few dishes can rival the heartiness and versatility of ground beef soup. This recipe, a go-to favourite learned from neighbour Margaret, is a delightful way to warm up on chilly nights.
The key to a successful ground beef soup lies in its preparation. Pasta or rice should be cooked separately and added just before serving to prevent them from soaking up all the broth. Prepping all vegetables before starting to cook makes the process smoother.
The soup comes together in about 30 minutes. Start by browning the 1 lb of ground beef in a large pot. The rich flavor of the soup is due to the golden-brown crust on the meat, so take your time with this step. Deglazing the pot after browning the beef adds even more flavor.
Next, sauté 1 large onion and 2 cloves of garlic, followed by 3 carrots and 2 celery stalks. The soup thickens slightly during simmering and develops an incredible depth of flavor.
Add 4 cups of beef broth, 1 can of diced tomatoes, 1 tsp of dried thyme, 1 tsp of dried oregano, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Let the soup simmer for a while, allowing the flavors to meld.
For an Italian twist, use Italian seasoning and stir in some spinach at the end. If you fancy a Mexican flavour, swap thyme for cumin and chili powder, add black beans, and top with avocado.
The soup is versatile and can be customized with various ingredients like barley, pasta, or beans. If the soup gets too thick, it can be thinned out with water or extra broth.
Letting the soup rest for 10 minutes after cooking allows the flavors to meld even further. Fresh herbs like parsley or chives can be sprinkled on top to make it look fancy with zero effort.
On extra-chilly nights, shredded cheese can be added on top of the soup and broiled for a minute for melty, golden perfection. For something lighter, a simple green salad with tangy vinaigrette balances the richness of the soup.
The soup can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free beef broth and skipping any pasta or barley additions. It can also be made in a slow cooker by browning the beef first, then dumping everything into the slow cooker and cooking on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
The soup tastes even better the next day and can be stored in airtight containers in the fridge for 3-4 days. So, whether you're cooking for a family dinner or a cozy night in, this ground beef soup is sure to become a favourite in your home too.
