If you’re searching for a cozy meal that practically makes itself, I absolutely love this Slow Cooker Vegetable Beef Soup Recipe. It’s packed with hearty beef, vibrant veggies, and a rich tomato base that warms you from the inside out. When I first tried this soup, I was amazed at how simple it was to throw everything into the slow cooker and come back hours later to a bowl of pure comfort. Stick around because this recipe is fan-freaking-tastic and I’m going to walk you through every step so you nail it in your kitchen too!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Cooking: Toss everything in the slow cooker and let it do the magic while you go about your day.
- Hearty & Healthy: Loaded with fresh vegetables and lean ground beef, it’s nourishing and satisfying.
- Flavorful & Versatile: The seasoning blend and Rotel tomatoes add a perfect kick, yet it’s mild enough to tweak for your family’s taste.
- Feeds a Crowd: This recipe makes a generous batch, ideal for meal prep or feeding hungry guests.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Slow Cooker Vegetable Beef Soup Recipe plays a happy role: the ground chuck brings rich, meaty depth, while the tomatoes and vegetables add layers of fresh, comforting texture and bright flavor. When shopping, look for good quality ground beef and fresh or well-frozen veggies to keep the flavors vibrant and hearty.
- Ground chuck: I like using chuck for its perfect balance of fat that keeps the beef flavorful and tender during slow cooking.
- Southern Soul House Seasoning: This is my secret weapon for a cozy, southern-inspired flavor boost.
- Onion: Fresh onion adds the essential base aroma and sweetness as it slowly softens in the soup.
- Potatoes: These give the soup a nice, hearty texture; I prefer Yukon Golds for their buttery taste.
- Crushed tomatoes: They bring a rich tomato body that melds all the flavors together beautifully.
- Rotel tomatoes with green chilies: Adds a subtle zest and a little complexity without overpowering.
- Frozen vegetables: A convenient veggie mix that keeps this recipe quick and hearty.
- Beef broth: Look for a low sodium option so you can control the salt to taste.
- Water: Helps balance the consistency, so your soup isn’t too thick.
- Salt: Essential for seasoning – but add it gradually so you don’t oversalt the soup.
Variations
I love that this Slow Cooker Vegetable Beef Soup Recipe is so adaptable — whether you want to spice it up, lighten it, or make it perfect for different seasons, it’s got you covered. Play around with whatever veggies or seasonings you have on hand; your taste buds will thank you.
- Spice it up: I sometimes swap Rotel for fire-roasted diced tomatoes and add a pinch of cayenne for more heat — it gives the soup a smoky depth that my family can’t get enough of.
- Make it lower carb: I replace potatoes with cauliflower florets — you won’t miss the starch, and it keeps the soup lighter.
- Seasonal tweaks: In fall, I add diced carrots and celery for that classic veggie trio that fills the kitchen with comforting aromas.
- Vegetarian version: Use a plant-based beef substitute and vegetable broth, then double up on the fresh veggies so it still feels hearty.
How to Make Slow Cooker Vegetable Beef Soup Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Beef with Seasoning
Start by heating a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, then add your ground chuck. Break it apart gently as it browns, stirring frequently to make sure it cooks evenly. When the meat is nearly done, sprinkle in the Southern Soul House Seasoning – this is where much of the soup’s deep flavor develops. Once the beef is fully browned and seasoned, transfer it straight into your slow cooker. Trust me, browning the meat first adds that rich, caramelized flavor you just can’t skip.
Step 2: Add the Veggies and Liquids
Next, add in your crushed tomatoes, the Rotel tomatoes with green chilies, the chopped onion, diced potatoes, and frozen vegetable mixes. Pour in the beef broth and water, then sprinkle the teaspoon of salt over it all. Give everything a good stir so the ingredients are evenly combined. It’s okay if the vegetables pile atop the beef — as the soup cooks, everything will meld into one delicious pot of goodness.
Step 3: Set It and Forget It
Cover your slow cooker and choose the low setting for 6 to 8 hours, or if you’re short on time, the high setting for 5 to 6 hours works just as well. This is the magic step — the slow, gentle heat lets all the flavors deepen and the beef get tender without drying out. I love coming home to the smell of this soup filling the kitchen after a long day.
Step 4: Taste, Adjust, and Serve
When the cooking time’s up, give your soup a good stir and taste. This is the moment to adjust salt or add a little extra seasoning if you want. Ladle it into bowls, and if you want to make it pretty (and add a fresh flavor), sprinkle on some fresh parsley. My family goes crazy for that little pop of green — it just makes the bowl shine.
Pro Tips for Making Slow Cooker Vegetable Beef Soup Recipe
- Brown the beef well: Taking time to brown your meat properly adds a layer of flavor your soup will thank you for.
- Don’t over-salt early: The slow cooking concentrates flavors, so it’s better to add salt little by little toward the end.
- Use quality broth: A good beef broth is the backbone of the soup and lifts the flavor overall.
- Frozen veggies save the day: They make prep super quick and keep your soup colorful and nutrient-packed.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Vegetable Beef Soup Recipe
Garnishes
I usually grab fresh parsley or chopped green onions to sprinkle on top — it adds a vibrant touch and fresh flavor that cuts through the soup’s richness perfectly. Sometimes I toss a little shredded cheddar or a dollop of sour cream if I want to kick it up a notch.
Side Dishes
Crusty bread or warm cornbread is my go-to companion for this soup. I love how the bread dunked in the broth soaks up all that meaty, veggie-loaded goodness. A simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette also pairs wonderfully if you want something fresh on the side.
Creative Ways to Present
For special dinners, I like serving this soup in rustic bread bowls — everyone feels extra cozy when they can eat their soup right out of edible “bowls.” Adding a swirl of pesto or a drizzle of chili oil just before serving can also turn your soup into a restaurant-worthy dish.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days. The soup actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors have more time to marry. Just give it a good stir when reheating.
Freezing
This soup freezes beautifully. I portion it into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stove.
Reheating
When reheating, use low heat on the stove and stir frequently to prevent sticking and keep the veggies intact. Adding a splash of broth or water can help loosen the soup if it thickened up in the fridge.
FAQs
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Can I use other ground meat instead of ground chuck?
Absolutely! Ground beef chuck is ideal because of its fat content, but you can use ground turkey, chicken, or even pork for a leaner or different flavor profile. Just keep in mind that leaner meats may dry out a bit more during slow cooking, so consider adding a little extra broth or a splash of oil.
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Can I prepare this soup in an Instant Pot?
Yes! Brown the beef using the sauté function with the seasoning, then add all other ingredients, seal the lid, and cook on high pressure for about 8 minutes. Let it naturally release for 20 minutes before opening. It’s much quicker and yields similarly delicious results.
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What if I don’t have Southern Soul House Seasoning?
No worries! You can substitute with a mix of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and a pinch of cayenne. Adjust to your taste, or just use your favorite savory seasoning blend — the soup’s forgiving and will still taste great.
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Can I add more vegetables?
Definitely! This soup is very flexible. Feel free to throw in carrots, celery, green beans, or even zucchini towards the last hour of cooking to keep the veggies from getting mushy.
Final Thoughts
This Slow Cooker Vegetable Beef Soup Recipe has become a favorite in my household because of how easy, delicious, and comforting it is all at once. I think you’ll appreciate how it frees up your day — just prep, set, and relax while your slow cooker does all the work. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or wanting a filling meal for the week, this soup’s got you covered. Give it a try soon, and let me know how your kitchen smells when the timer beeps — it’s always one of my favorite moments!
Print
Slow Cooker Vegetable Beef Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Description
This Easy Crock Pot Vegetable Beef Soup is a hearty and comforting meal perfect for any day. Ground chuck is browned and combined with a variety of vegetables, tomatoes, and beef broth, then slow-cooked to develop rich flavors and tender textures. Versatile and simple, this soup can also be made on the stovetop or in an Instant Pot for quicker preparation.
Ingredients
Beef and Seasoning
- 1 ½ – 2 pounds ground chuck
- 1 tablespoon Southern Soul House Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
Vegetables
- 1 medium chopped onion
- 2 medium peeled and diced potatoes
- 2 10 ounce packages of frozen vegetables (mixed)
Tomatoes and Broth
- 1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1 10 ounce can Rotel tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 32 ounce box of beef broth
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Chuck: In a large cast-iron skillet, brown the ground chuck thoroughly over medium-high heat. Once browned, stir in the Southern Soul House Seasoning evenly to infuse the meat with flavor. Transfer the cooked and seasoned meat to the slow cooker.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Into the slow cooker, add the crushed tomatoes, Rotel tomatoes with green chilies, chopped onion, diced potatoes, frozen vegetables, beef broth, water, and salt. Stir everything together to combine the ingredients well.
- Cook the Soup: Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 6 to 8 hours, or on high for 5 to 6 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the vegetables to soften nicely.
- Final Seasoning and Serve: When cooking is complete, stir the soup thoroughly, taste, and adjust seasoning if necessary. Ladle the hot soup into bowls and optionally garnish with fresh parsley for added color and freshness.
Notes
- This soup can also be prepared on the stovetop: brown and season the beef in a Dutch oven, add all other ingredients, bring to a boil, then simmer for 30 minutes.
- For a quicker option, use an Instant Pot: brown the beef with seasoning using the Sauté function, add vegetables, tomatoes, and broth, seal the lid, cook on high pressure for 8 minutes, then allow natural pressure release for 20 minutes before serving.
- Adjust salt and seasoning to taste before serving.
- Adding fresh parsley as a garnish enhances the soup’s flavor and presentation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0.3g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 65mg