Lemon Herb Beef & Vegetable Soup
A light yet satisfying soup featuring tender beef, zucchini, and spinach, infused with lemon and herbs for a bright, nutrient-packed meal. This american-inspired slow cooker (whole30) ready in about 390 minutes pairs beef stew meat, medium, diced zucchini, packed spinach for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 290 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs beef stew meat
- 2 medium, diced zucchini
- 2 cups, packed spinach
- 1 large, zested and juiced lemon
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh thyme
- 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 1 1/2 lbs beef stew meat in slow cooker, then add 2 medium diced zucchinis, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme, and 4 cups low-sodium beef broth.
- Step 2: Cook on LOW for 6 hours until beef is tender, then stir in 2 cups packed spinach and 1 large zested and juiced lemon, ensuring spinach wilts completely.
- Step 3: Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes on LOW until flavors meld and soup reaches a gentle simmer, with lemon zest visible throughout and spinach fully wilted.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lemon Herb Beef & Vegetable Soup take to make?
Total time is about 390 minutes (15 min prep + 375 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Lemon Herb Beef & Vegetable Soup?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep beef stew meat from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Lemon Herb Beef & Vegetable Soup?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Lemon Herb Beef & Vegetable Soup for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Lemon Herb Beef & Vegetable Soup whole30?
Yes — this recipe is tagged whole30 based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Love how the American come through in every bite.
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better slow cooker dishes though.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.
