My mom has always prepared this 4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Ground Beef Vegetable Soup low cost budget when we were kids. With only 4 ingredients to a giant pot of soup, it is done!
Ground Beef Vegetable Soup: Ingredients
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Ground beef (80-90% lean)
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Quantity: 1 1/2 pounds
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Notes: Drain excess fat after browning.
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Russet or Yukon Gold Potatoes diced (peeled optional)
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Quantity: 4 cups (approximately 3-4 medium sized potatoes)
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Notes: Cut into even pieces for uniform cooking.
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Frozen mixed vegetables like carrots, corn, peas, and green beans.
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Quantity: 1 (32 oz.) bag
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Notes: No need to thaw before adding.
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Finely crushed or cut tomatoes with their juices
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Quantity: 2 (28-ounce) cans
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Notes: Forms the tomato broth base.
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Kosher salt (salt is optional, to taste)
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Quantity: 1 teaspoon
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Notes: Adjust seasoning after cooking.
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Black pepper (not compulsory, to taste)
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Quantity: 1/2 teaspoon
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Notes: Optional seasoning.
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Water (not compulsory, just in case you want to go thin)
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Quantity: 2 cups
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Notes: Add only if soup is too thick.
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Directions
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In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, stirring it with a spoon until all is brown and not a pink bit is left, 7-10 minutes.
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In case the pan has much fat, make sure that you gently spoon away most of it before the soup gets greasy.
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Spread the diced potatoes at the bottom of a 6-quart (or larger) slow cooker.
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Sprinkle the potatoes with the mixed vegetables that were frozen.
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Pour the cooked ground beef over the vegetables, and then spread it evenly.
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Add all the canned crushed or diced tomatoes, along with all their juices over the beef and vegetables.
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In case you find it is too thick and watery, add to 2 cups of water.
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Stir not too hard, only push the ingredients so that all is largely covered in tomato base.
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Add the salt and black pepper (depending on their use).
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Lightly stir the mixture to mix the salt and pepper but do not mash the potatoes.
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Put the lid on the slow cooker.
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Cook either on LOW (7-8 hours) or HIGH (4-5 hours) till the potatoes are tender when a fork is pierced through them and the flavors have blended.
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Do not lift the lid frequently because this prolongs the time of cooking.
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A soup is ready and thus stir it well.
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Add and add a little more salt and pepper.
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In case the soup is thicker than you desire, add in some hot water until the soup attains your desired consistency.
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Directly ladle the soup into bowls out of the slow cooker.
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The completed soup is supposed to contain crumbled meat which is ground, soft, diced potatoes, and combined vegetables floating in a brilliant red tomato broth.
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Serve hot, and refrigerate or freeze all the leftover that has been cooled.
Notes
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Use lean beef to reduce excess grease.
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Avoid stirring too aggressively to keep potatoes intact.
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Soup thickens more as it cools.
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Store leftovers in refrigerator or freezer after cooling.