Simmered Ground Beef and Vegetable Soup
A deeply flavorful beef soup with tender vegetables and a rich tomato base, simmered to perfection for a satisfying weeknight meal. This american-inspired whole30 ready in about 45 minutes pairs ground beef, olive oil, large, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, 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 lb ground beef
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, diced onion
- 2, diced carrot
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 cups, chopped kale
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb ground beef and cook, breaking into small pieces, for 5 minutes until browned.
- Step 2: Add 1 large diced onion, 2 diced carrots, and 2 diced celery stalks. Cook for 5 minutes until vegetables soften.
- Step 3: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, 4 cups beef broth, 1 tsp dried thyme, and 1 bay leaf. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for 20 minutes.
- Step 5: Stir in 2 cups chopped kale and cook for 5 minutes until tender.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Simmered Ground Beef and Vegetable Soup take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 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 Simmered Ground Beef and 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 ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Simmered Ground Beef and 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 Simmered Ground Beef and Vegetable Soup for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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.
What goes well with Simmered Ground Beef and Vegetable Soup?
American whole30 like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
My family loved this soup! It's healthy and easy to make for dinner.
- ★★★★★
This soup was perfect for my Whole30 week! The beef and veggies were so flavorful.
- ★★★★☆
Delicious and satisfying. I'll make this again for the whole family.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.