Why You’ll Love this Hearty Beef and Vegetable Soup
When the weather turns brisk or you’re craving something that warms you from the inside out, this hearty beef and vegetable soup delivers on every level.
I’m obsessed with how the sirloin tip steak becomes meltingly tender after simmering in that rich, umami-packed broth. The soy sauce marinade? Genius for adding depth without extra work.
What I adore most is the symphony of textures—from those meaty mushrooms to the sweet carrots and that perfect bite of beef.
And the secret gelatin trick? It creates a silky mouthfeel that’ll make guests wonder how you made such a restaurant-quality soup at home.
What Ingredients are in Hearty Beef and Vegetable Soup?
This soul-warming beef and vegetable soup combines tender sirloin tip steak with a medley of fresh and frozen vegetables in a rich, complex broth. The magic happens when we marry robust beef flavor with earthy mushrooms and sweet carrots, all enhanced by a touch of red wine and the umami boost from soy sauce. What makes this soup special isn’t just the quality ingredients, but how they work together to create layers of flavor that develop as the soup simmers to perfection.
- 1 pound sirloin tip steak, trimmed and cut into ½-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
- 1 pound cremini mushrooms, stems trimmed and caps quartered
- 1 large onion, chopped medium
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 medium garlic clove, minced
- ½ cup red wine
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1¾ cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 4 medium carrots, peeled and cut into ½-inch pieces
- 2 medium celery ribs, cut into ½-inch pieces
- 10 ounces frozen mixed vegetables
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tablespoon unflavored gelatin powder
- ½ cup cold water
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley leaves
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
When shopping for this recipe, quality matters, especially with the beef. Look for well-marbled sirloin tip steak for the best flavor and texture. The unflavored gelatin might seem unusual, but don’t skip it—this secret ingredient creates that silky, rich mouthfeel that elevates a good soup to an outstanding one. And while the recipe calls for frozen mixed vegetables (a convenient time-saver), feel free to substitute with whatever fresh seasonal vegetables you have on hand, adding them at the appropriate time based on their cooking needs.
How to Make this Hearty Beef and Vegetable Soup
This soup starts with a flavor-building marinade that transforms ordinary beef into something special. Combine 1 pound of sirloin tip steak (cut into ½-inch pieces) with 2 tablespoons of soy sauce in a medium bowl and let it sit for 15 minutes. This quick marinade works magic—the soy sauce not only seasons the meat but helps tenderize it while you prep your other ingredients.
Next, heat 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until it’s just smoking. Add 1 pound of quartered cremini mushrooms and 1 large chopped onion, cooking them until they’re deeply browned and those wonderful dark bits form on the bottom of the pan, about 8-12 minutes. Those dark bits? Pure flavor gold.
After transferring the vegetables to a bowl, add your marinated beef to the same pot and cook until the liquid evaporates and the meat starts to brown, roughly 6-10 minutes. Then stir in 2 tablespoons of tomato paste and 1 minced garlic clove, cooking just until fragrant—about 30 seconds. Pour in ½ cup of red wine (who doesn’t love the sizzle and steam when liquid hits a hot pan?), scraping up all those delicious browned bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon, and let it reduce until syrupy.
The soup comes together when you add 4 cups of beef broth, 1¾ cups of chicken broth, 4 medium carrots (cut into ½-inch pieces), 2 medium celery ribs (also cut into ½-inch pieces), 1 bay leaf, and those browned mushrooms and onions back to the pot.
While the soup simmers for 25-30 minutes, sprinkle 1 tablespoon of unflavored gelatin over ½ cup of cold water and let it stand—this little trick will give your soup a silky, luxurious mouthfeel that makes everyone think you’ve been cooking all day. When the vegetables and meat are tender, remove the bay leaf, stir in the dissolved gelatin and 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
What you’ll end up with isn’t just soup—it’s a hug in a bowl, perfect for those nights when only something warm and substantial
Hearty Beef and Vegetable Soup Substitutions and Variations
While the classic beef and vegetable soup recipe creates a deeply satisfying bowl of comfort, don’t feel locked into using exactly what’s listed in the ingredients.
I often swap sirloin for chuck roast when I’m pinching pennies, or use ground beef in a real time crunch. No cremini mushrooms? Button mushrooms work perfectly well. For a twist, try adding barley or small pasta shapes for extra heartiness.
Vegetable-wise, this soup is wonderfully adaptable. Fresh veggies instead of frozen, sweet potatoes subbed for carrots, or a handful of kale tossed in during the final minutes? All delicious options.
The beauty of soup is its forgiving nature.
What to Serve with Hearty Beef and Vegetable Soup
A hearty beef and vegetable soup deserves equally satisfying companions to round out your meal. I always serve mine with crusty sourdough bread or warm dinner rolls—perfect for sopping up those rich, savory juices.
A simple green salad with vinaigrette adds a revitalizing contrast to the deep flavors of the soup. For something more substantial, try grilled cheese sandwiches made with sharp cheddar. The crispy, buttery exterior and melty cheese interior? Divine with beef soup.
And when I’m feeling fancy, I’ll whip up some garlic bread or cheese biscuits. Trust me, your family will scrape their bowls clean.
Final Thoughts
Making homemade beef and vegetable soup reminds us that cooking isn’t just about following recipes—it’s about creating moments of comfort and connection.
There’s something deeply satisfying about watching simple ingredients transform into a rich, flavorful meal that warms you from the inside out.
I find myself returning to this recipe whenever life gets hectic.
The meditative process of chopping vegetables, browning meat, and letting everything simmer together slows me down.
Have you noticed how the kitchen fills with that unmistakable aroma?
It’s like an invitation to gather around the table, spoon in hand, ready to savor each steaming bite.
