One-Pot Ground Beef and Pepper Soup
A comforting Whole30-approved soup brimming with ground beef, bell peppers, and aromatic herbs, perfect for warming up any day. This american-inspired soups (whole30, paleo) ready in about 50 minutes pairs avocado oil, ground beef, medium, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 1 large, diced red bell pepper
- 1 large, diced green bell pepper
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 14 oz diced tomatoes (canned, no salt added)
- 4 cups beef broth (Whole30 compliant)
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons of avocado oil in a large pot over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 1 minute. Add 1 pound of ground beef and cook for 5-6 minutes, breaking it apart, until browned and no longer pink.
- Step 2: Add 1 diced medium yellow onion, 1 large diced red bell pepper, and 1 large diced green bell pepper to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes until the vegetables soften.
- Step 3: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add 14 ounces diced tomatoes, 4 cups beef broth, 1 teaspoon sea salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, and 1 bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 25 minutes to blend flavors.
- Step 4: Remove the bay leaf before serving. Adjust seasoning as needed and enjoy this hearty, nourishing soup.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Ground Beef and Pepper Soup take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (10 min prep + 40 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 One-Pot Ground Beef and Pepper 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 avocado oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Ground Beef and Pepper 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 One-Pot Ground Beef and Pepper 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 One-Pot Ground Beef and Pepper Soup whole30?
Yes — this recipe is tagged whole30, paleo based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
