A Vegetable Beef Soup Recipe You Probably Don’t Need

Sneak Preview: This Beef and Vegetable Soup Without Tomatoes uses leftover beef pot roast or precooked beef, veggies, and a slow cooker to create a healthy, delicious, and satisfying vegetable soup. It’s a recipe you may not need, but it will get you started.

Beef and vegetable soup in a slow cooker with a ladelPin

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We don’t have many traditions associated with Halloween–it’s not my favorite holiday. But there is one tradition I like. We usually have this vegetable beef soup for dinner. It makes me feel better after eating too many Snicker bars and Reese’s peanut butter cups. It’s also a favorite in January for reasons I’m not admitting to.

Why You Probably Don’t Need a Vegetable Soup Recipe

Who needs a vegetable soup recipe? Maybe none of us. So, let this serve as an idea or reminder the next time you cook a big roast or need to clean out various veggies in your fridge or freezer. Speaking of leftover pot roast, don’t forget about my Shepherd’s pie, one of the most visited posts on this website.

Happy Cooks Speak Up

“I made a roast Sunday so I could make this soup. It was so delicious. Yum. Thanks for great ideas and great recipes.“–CONNIE


Ingredients and Substitutions

  • LEFTOVER BEEF: Any leftover cooked beef, even ground beef, is appropriate for this recipe. I have not tried it with chicken or other proteins. Make this vegetarian and leave out the beef.
  • LEFTOVER GRAVY OR CANNED BEEF BROTH: If you don’t have gravy or canned beef broth, use water and bouillon cubes or a paste, like Better than Bouillon, to make broth. Use vegetable broth for a vegetarian version.
  • POTATOES: Peeled russets or Yukon potatoes are my first choice. Small unpeeled red potatoes are another possibility.
  • CARROTS: Baby carrots are quick (no peeling), but whole carrots will serve the purpose.
  • WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE: This common staple in America adds umami. I add Kitchen Bouquet at the end to add color and richness to the broth if it doesn’t look “beefy.”
  • BAY LEAF: Bay leaves also add umami. I use them in most of my soup and roast recipes. Don’t forget to remove them before serving.
  • FROZEN VEGETABLES: Look through your freezer. Take this opportunity to clean it out. I usually have green peas, green beans (I like canned ones, too), corn, okra, and lima beans.
  • BEANS: I favor lima beans, the frozen kind. But canned kidney beans, cannellini, white beans, or chickpeas are other possibilities. Leave them out if you’re counting carbs.
  • SALT-FREE SEASONING: There are many choices at the grocery store. I’m currently using McCormick’s Perfect Pinch–Garlic and Herb. I like salt-free seasoning because the bouillon I use has plenty of salt.
  • FRESHLY GROUND PEPPER: This is the final touch. Pre-ground pepper is fine.

My Rules For Vegetable Soup with or Without Beef

It may seem like I have an anything-goes policy for this soup, but I have a few rules. Enjoy breaking them if you choose.

1. Yes, to frozen okra

Usually, I’m not too fond of boiled okra, but I love it in a soup recipe for some mysterious reason or fresh okra that has been smashed and grilled. Leave it out if you disagree.

2. Yes, to salt-free seasoning

I usually don’t add extra salt because the variety of spices in salt-free seasoning adds interest to the flavor. Besides that, I usually use bouillon with plenty of salt to make broth. I currently like McCormick’s Perfect Pinch–Garlic and Herb.

3. No tomatoes

I love tomatoes but prefer my vegetable soup without them.

4. No cabbage, broccoli, or cauliflower

Sorry, Mom. I never learned to like the cabbage you put into your vegetable soup. Furthermore, it reminds me of the cabbage soup some people eat to lose weight.

5. No bell peppers

Specifically, I don’t want green bell peppers (I save them for my okra gumbo). The red, yellow, and orange bell peppers with a sweeter flavor are fine.

6. No grains or pasta

I make Jalapeno Cheese Cornbread, French Bread, or these Really Crusty Rolls if I want more carbs with my soup.


How To Put Together Vegetable Beef Soup Without a Recipe:

My vegetable soup is somewhat like a scavenger hunt

  1. Start with leftover pot roast or beef and gravy (if you have it).
  2. Raid the refrigerator for once-fresh-but-now-tired veggies like onions, celery, green onions, green beans, etc. Then, check the freezer for half-empty bags of vegetables or beans.
  3. Look through the pantry for beans or veggies like green beans, corn, or mushrooms.
  4. If weather permits, check to see if you have any herbs, like fresh parsley, dried thyme (or fresh thyme), or oregano.

This recipe is perfect for a slow cooker or Crockpot. Simmer all day on Low or all afternoon on HIGH.

Stage 1: Getting the soup started

The first six ingredients for this soup are pictured sitting by a slow cooker.Pin
Add the first six ingredients to your slow cooker. If you have all day, set it on LOW for 8-10 hours. If you have only 3-4 hours, set it on HIGH for 3 hours.

Stage 2–Last 45 minutes of cooking time

Remaining veggies needed for soup.Pin
Add the remaining veggies (from the freezer or a can) and seasonings.

Stage 3: Let’s eat.

beef and vegetable soup without tomatoes in a small pan with a roll on the side.Pin
This Beef and Vegetable Soup Without Tomatoes is ready to serve.

FAQs About Vegetable Soup

What can I use instead of a slow cooker?

Use a large Dutch oven or a small stock pot on the stovetop. Heat the assembled soup over medium heat, then let it simmer until all vegetables are tender.

How can I make this soup gluten-free?

The only gluten in this recipe could come from the leftover gravy. Use beef or chicken stock instead. Check the labels for gluten if you use bouillon.

What’s your best trick for making the broth richer?

Add Kitchen Bouquet for a dark caramelized color and extra flavor. 1-2 capfuls should do it. Epicurious recommends, “Whisking a small amount of butter into a sauce or broth adds a bit of richness, but it also rounds out the flavors that are already there, softening anything that’s too harsh.

How can I spice up this soup?

Add garlic, chili powder, or herbs like fresh parsley, thyme, oregano, or basil.


Random thoughts: This is another recipe I got from a friend. Although we rarely see each other anymore, I always think of her when I make this recipe. Actually, I don’t know that she shared a written-down recipe. She just told me how she did it. Sometimes, those are the best kind.

If you need some homemade bread to sop up the delicious broth in this soup, you can’t go wrong with these Soft Bread Machine Breadsticks or this Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread. For vegetable soup lovers, don’t miss my Spicy 7-Can Soup with Ground Beef. It’s a snap to put together.

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Help at Your Fingertips: For questions or suggestions, email Paula at saladinajar.com. If you need help, I’m happy to troubleshoot via email (faster than leaving a comment). Attach pictures and as many details as possible for the best advice.


Vegetable and Beef Soup without TomatoesPin
Yield: 8

Beef and Vegetable Soup: The Recipe You Probably Don’t Need

This healthy vegetable beef soup is a great way to clean out the fridge and use up leftovers. All ingredients and amounts are negotiable. Please take a look at the recipe notes for directions for making this recipe on a stovetop.

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(5 stars if you loved it)

5 from 6 votes
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Video

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 8 hours
Total time: 8 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients
 

  • ½-1 cup (100-220 g) leftover pot-roast or pre-cooked beef cubed or shredded
  • 1 quart (908 g) leftover gravy and/or beef broth If using broth, use homemade, canned, or bouillon cubes or paste with water.
  • 2-3 medium potatoes, diced, peeled, or unpeeled
  • 2-3 sliced whole carrots or sliced baby carrots
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 cup (165 g) frozen peas
  • 1 cup (150 g) green beans I prefer canned or frozen.
  • 1 cup (165 g) frozen corn
  • 1 cup (100 g) frozen okra
  • 1 cup (188 g) lima beans or other beans of your choice
  • 1 tablespoon salt-free seasoning for example, McCormick Perfect Pinch Garlic & Herb
  • tablespoon freshly ground pepper
  • 1 tablespoon Kitchen Bouquet (optional)

Instructions

Stage 1

  • Add the ½-1 cup (100-220 g) leftover pot-roast or pre-cooked beef, 1 quart (908 g) leftover gravy and/or beef broth, 2-3 medium potatoes, diced, peeled, or unpeeled, 2-3 sliced whole carrots or sliced baby carrots, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, and 1 bay leaf to a slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours.

Stage 2

  • Approximately 30-45 minutes before serving, add the 1 cup (165 g) frozen peas, 1 cup (150 g) green beans, 1 cup (165 g) frozen corn, 1 cup (100 g) frozen okra, 1 cup (188 g) lima beans, 1 tablespoon salt-free seasoning, ⅓ tablespoon freshly ground pepper, and 1 tablespoon Kitchen Bouquet (optional) . Add more broth or water if necessary to cover the veggies. Turn the heat to HIGH on the slow cooker to finish cooking.

Stage 3

  • Remove the bay leaf and season to taste with freshly ground pepper and Kitchen Bouquet (if using) before serving.

Notes

Cooking on a stovetop: Use a large Dutch oven or a small stock pot. Heat the soup through Stage 1 to a boil over medium heat, then let it simmer for an hour. When the carrots are tender, go to Stage 2 and add the remaining ingredients. Heat over medium-low until all vegetables are cooked–usually 30-45 minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 200kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 727mg | Potassium: 669mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 2923IU | Vitamin C: 26mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 2mg

All images and text ©️ Paula Rhodes for Salad in a Jar.com

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14 Comments

  1. Ann Baker says:

    5 stars
    Love the photo and the idea for using leftover pot roast! Funny, I don’t really like Halloween either. Tradition at our house is always chili (and red wine for me).

  2. I made a roast Sunday so I could make this soup. It was so delicious. Yum. Thanks for great ideals and great recipes.

  3. sherri lynn says:

    This looks delicious! We love having soup for a bit of a lighter dinner too. After all of the candy corns I’ve consumed, this would be a good option for tonight! I didn’t have a go-to vegetable soup recipe; I think this might be it!

  4. Hi Paula,
    Your Vegetable Beef Soup looks really good. I totally agree about leaving the tomatoes out of this soup so the flavors can become their own. I think celery would be a good addition to the soup if you like the flavor and of course one of your homemade rolls you have pictured with it. Yum Yum!!!

  5. Stephania says:

    I almost always use turnips instead of white potatoes because they don’t get as mushy….

  6. Your soup looks far from a fridge raid, I feel the same way about cabbage in my soup I went on that diet and it was yucky after a day. The only thing I would add is a big onion chopped up, but I know you are not a onion fan, me on the other hand can’t live with out them :).

  7. I adore easy soups using leftovers and frozen stuff, but leftover pot roast is a misnomer in my house, it magically gets gobbled up! I’ll try the okra… if you say so! = )

  8. I’m with you on the cabbage. I love raw cabbage but I don’t like it in soups…honestly I don’t like cooked cabbage at all. Your beef soup looks good and hearty and would be perfect for Halloween dinner around here…it’s going to be a chilly one.

  9. Ann Baker says:

    5 stars
    Love the photo and the idea for using leftover pot roast! Funny, I don’t really like Halloween either. Tradition at our house is always chili (and red wine for me).

  10. The Café Sucré Farine says:

    Paula – this looks wonderful – I think I would make a pot roast just to have this soup!

  11. TheKitchenWitch says:

    We have soup on Halloween night, too! It’s easy, and the kids never have much appetite anyways because they’re too anxious to get started with the trick-or-treating. Yours looks great–although I’m skipping the okra 😉

  12. Oh… when I saw ‘too many Snickers’, I thought you made a post about me! I’ve been caught!

    I was at the grocery store this morning and picked up ingredients for vegetable soup. My sweet Paula, I am so sad. You got it all wrong. It is no to okra and yes to cabbage. I even found a bag of frozen veggies with NO okra today. Can we still be friends?

    1. Lorraine,
      Of course, we will always be friends, my dear. Even if I never meet you in real life, I’m planning a bread-making party with you as soon as we both get to heaven.
      And I would eat your cabbage soup too. It’s just not my favorite. 🙂

  13. Mal @ The Chic Geek says:

    This looks so good! I love that you put okra in it, yum!