Easy Crockpot Beef and Vegetable Soup (Healthy & Hearty!)

Imagine coming home to the aroma of tender beef and vegetables simmering in a rich, savory broth that’s been cooking all day. This easy Crockpot Beef and Vegetable Soup is like a warm hug in a bowl, combining melt-in-your-mouth beef stew meat with colorful carrots, potatoes, green beans, and corn in a deeply flavorful broth. With just 15 minutes of prep work, your slow cooker does all the heavy lifting while you go about your day. The secret to this beef vegetable soup’s incredible depth of flavor is browning the beef before slow cooking, which creates a rich, caramelized foundation that transforms this simple soup into restaurant-quality comfort food.

Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Beef and Vegetable Soup Recipe

• Set-it-and-forget-it simplicity with just 15 minutes of hands-on prep, then your slow cooker works its magic all day
• Incredibly nourishing and wholesome packed with protein-rich beef and a rainbow of nutritious vegetables for a complete meal
• Ultimate comfort food for chilly nights with tender beef, hearty potatoes, and deeply satisfying flavors everyone loves
• Perfect for meal prep – makes generous portions that taste even better the next day and freezes beautifully for up to 3 months

What You Need for Crockpot Beef and Vegetable Soup

Essential Ingredients for Beef Vegetable Soup

• 1 pound beef stew meat – cut into bite-sized pieces, about 1-inch cubes, chuck roast works perfectly
• 1 tablespoon olive oil – for browning the beef and developing deep flavor
• 4 cups beef broth – low sodium preferred for better control of salt levels and richer taste
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes – undrained, adds acidity and depth to the broth
• 1 small onion, diced – yellow or white onion, about 1 cup for aromatic base
• 2 cloves garlic, minced – fresh garlic essential for authentic flavor

For the Hearty Vegetable Medley

• 2 medium carrots, sliced – cut into 1/4-inch rounds for even cooking and visual appeal
• 2 celery stalks, chopped – adds classic soup base flavor and subtle crunch
• 2 medium potatoes, diced – Yukon Gold or Russet, cut into 3/4-inch cubes for hearty texture
• 1 cup green beans – trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces, fresh or frozen works great
• 1/2 cup frozen corn – adds sweetness and golden color to balance the soup

Seasonings for Perfect Beef Soup

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme – earthy herb that complements beef beautifully
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley – adds freshness and visual appeal with green flecks
• Salt and black pepper to taste – essential for bringing all flavors together, adjust to preference

Easy Crockpot Beef and Vegetable Soup

Hearty slow cooker beef and vegetable soup with tender beef, carrots, potatoes, green beans, and rich broth. Set it and forget it for an easy, nourishing meal!

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 8 hours hrs

Total Time 8 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Main Course, Soup

Cuisine American, Comfort Food

Servings 6 bowls

Calories 245 kcal

Equipment

• Crockpot or slow cooker (6-quart)
• Large skillet
• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Wooden spoon
• Ladle

Ingredients

  

For Browning the Beef

• 1 pound beef stew meat cut into 1-inch bite-sized pieces, chuck roast works great
• 1 tablespoon olive oil for browning beef

Soup Base and Liquids

• 4 cups beef broth low sodium preferred for better control
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes undrained, adds acidity and depth

Vegetables

• 2 medium carrots sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
• 2 stalks celery chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
• 2 medium potatoes diced into 3/4-inch cubes, Yukon Gold or Russet
• 1 cup green beans trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces, fresh or frozen
• 1/2 cup frozen corn adds sweetness and color
• 1 small onion diced, yellow or white
• 2 cloves garlic minced, fresh recommended

Seasonings

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme complements beef beautifully
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley adds freshness and color
• Salt and black pepper to taste, adjust at the end

Instructions

 

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef stew meat in a single layer and cook for 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides with caramelized edges. This step is crucial for flavor development.
• Transfer the browned beef pieces to your crockpot, scraping any flavorful browned bits from the skillet into the pot.
• Add sliced carrots, chopped celery, diced potatoes, green bean pieces, frozen corn, diced onion, and minced garlic to the crockpot with the beef. Distribute vegetables evenly.
• Pour in beef broth and diced tomatoes with their liquid. Sprinkle dried thyme, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper over everything. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
• Cover the crockpot with its lid and cook on LOW heat for 8-9 hours or HIGH heat for 4-5 hours, until the beef is fork-tender and vegetables are cooked through.
• Remove lid and taste the soup. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
• Ladle the hot soup into bowls and serve immediately with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal.

Notes

Storage: Refrigerate in airtight container for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on stovetop or in microwave.

Variations: Make Italian-style with Italian seasoning and zucchini. Try Southwestern with cumin, chili powder, and bell peppers. Add pearl barley for extra heartiness. Make low-carb by omitting potatoes and corn, adding cauliflower instead.

Tips: Always brown beef first for maximum flavor. Cut vegetables uniformly for even cooking. Cook on low for most tender beef. Don’t lift lid during cooking. Add delicate vegetables like zucchini during last hour.

Keyword beef vegetable soup, crockpot beef soup, easy crockpot soup, healthy soup, high protein soup, slow cooker beef soup

How to Make Crockpot Beef and Vegetable Soup (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Preparing Your Beef for Maximum Flavor

1. Brown the beef (6-8 minutes): Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef stew meat in a single layer without crowding and cook for 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides with caramelized edges. (Don’t skip this step – it creates incredible depth of flavor!)

2. Transfer to slow cooker: Place the browned beef pieces into your crockpot, scraping any flavorful browned bits from the skillet into the pot.

Step 2: Building Your Hearty Vegetable Soup

3. Layer the vegetables (5 minutes): Add sliced carrots, chopped celery, diced potatoes, green bean pieces, frozen corn, diced onion, and minced garlic to the crockpot with the beef. Distribute vegetables evenly for consistent cooking.

4. Add liquids and season (2 minutes): Pour in beef broth and diced tomatoes with their liquid. Sprinkle dried thyme, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper over everything. Stir gently to combine all ingredients and distribute seasonings throughout.

Step 3: Slow Cooking to Tender Perfection

5. Set and forget: Cover the crockpot with its lid and cook on low heat for 8-9 hours or high heat for 4-5 hours, until the beef is fork-tender and literally falls apart, and vegetables are cooked through but not mushy.

6. Final touches and serve: Remove lid and taste the soup. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. Ladle the hot, steaming soup into bowls and serve immediately with crusty bread for soaking up the delicious broth.

Expert Tips for the Best Crockpot Beef and Vegetable Soup

Always brown the beef first – this crucial step develops deep, caramelized flavors through the Maillard reaction that simply cannot be achieved by adding raw meat directly to the slow cooker. Those browned bits are pure flavor gold! Cut vegetables uniformly – ensuring all vegetables are similar in size guarantees even cooking, preventing some pieces from becoming mushy while others remain undercooked. Choose the right cooking time – low and slow (8-9 hours) produces the most tender, fall-apart beef, while high heat (4-5 hours) works when you’re short on time but still delivers delicious results. Don’t lift the lid during cooking as this releases heat and extends cooking time by 15-20 minutes each time. Add delicate vegetables later – if using zucchini or bell peppers, add them during the last hour of cooking to prevent mushiness.

How to Store and Serve Crockpot Beef and Vegetable Soup

Store leftover beef and vegetable soup in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors deepen and improve as the soup sits, making leftovers even more delicious than day one. For longer storage, freeze the soup in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags for up to 3 months, leaving 1 inch of headspace for expansion. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm gently on the stovetop over medium heat, or microwave individual portions until heated through. Serve this hearty beef soup with thick slices of crusty artisan bread, warm dinner rolls, oyster crackers, or a crisp green side salad for a complete, satisfying meal that nourishes body and soul.

Crockpot Beef and Vegetable Soup Recipe Variations You’ll Love

Italian-Style Beef Soup: Add 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 cup diced zucchini, and finish with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese. Spicy Southwestern Version: Include 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon chili powder, diced bell peppers, and serve with lime wedges and cilantro. Barley Beef Soup: Add 1/2 cup pearl barley during the last 2 hours of cooking for extra heartiness and fiber. Low-Carb Option: Omit potatoes and corn, double the green beans, and add cauliflower florets for a keto-friendly version. If you love slow cooker soups, try our classic chicken noodle soup or hearty vegetable beef stew for more comfort food favorites! Serve with cheddar cheese bread, garlic butter flatbread, or jalapeño cheddar bread for dipping. Pairs perfectly with our Mexican lasagna or cheesy taco rice for a complete Tex-Mex feast.

FAQ About Crockpot Beef and Vegetable Soup

Final Thoughts on This Crockpot Beef and Vegetable Soup Recipe

This easy Crockpot Beef and Vegetable Soup delivers ultimate comfort and nutrition with minimal effort and maximum flavor. The combination of tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef, colorful nutritious vegetables, and rich savory broth creates a complete meal perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends. Simply brown your beef, toss everything in the slow cooker, and return hours later to a home-cooked meal that tastes like you slaved in the kitchen all day. Serve it with crusty bread for dipping and watch it become a family favorite that you’ll make again and again. Love this recipe? Save it to your Pinterest boards and follow us for more amazing slow cooker soup recipes!