Best Ever Italian Beef Soup Recipe with Video

ByDonna Elick
254 Comments

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Italian Beef Soup sure doesn’t cut corners! The meat is trimmed, seared, and simmered until it literally melts in your mouth. The vegetables are seasoned and cooked until just tender yet still crisp and full of flavor. Served in a mindblowing broth with savory Italian seasonings, this is my best hearty beef soup recipe to date!

Italian beef soup recipe.


 


Sometimes it’s hard to imagine the results. Check out the video below of this beef soup recipe being made for a look at what’s to come!

This hearty soup is one simple recipe that the whole family will love. It has the best flavor and is a great way to whip up a simple comfort food on a chilly day! 

spices for italian beef soup.

Italian Beef Soup

There’s just something about wholesome, hearty beef vegetable soup that no other recipe can replace. 

It’s all classic, homecooked, and smells even better than it tastes – if that’s even possible!! 

It’s a timeless dish you ate as a kid, that you serve to your kids, and that they’ll serve to their kids later down the line. 

And I’m happy to introduce you to the beef soup recipe you’ll be making from here on out, because this really is the best vegetable beef soup out there!!

While we’re replacing childhood recipes… take some time to try my chicken noodle and French onion soup recipes!!

bowl of cubed beef.

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions 

  • Beef Chuck Roast – This cut comes from the shoulder of the cow and has a super rich, fatty flavor. It’s my first choice for pot roast soup!
  • Cabernet Sauvignon – This dark red wine is lending its moisture and deep, fruity flavor to our beef and vegetable soup. 

    Those who dislike cooking with alcohol can choose a non-alcoholic wine of their choice or a simple grape, pomegranate, or cranberry juice. 
  • Beef Stock – Vegetable stock works just fine, too. If you’re using bouillon or beef base, then use 4 teaspoons of the base/bouillon mixed into 4 cups of water.  
  • Worcestershire Sauce – Sweet, sour, and even a little spicy! 

    Soy sauce is your best substitute, but you can add ketchup or apple juice to it to get some of that sweet acidity back. 
  • Dried Italian Seasoning – Such a versatile combination of herbs! 

    You can mix your own with a teaspoon each of dried basil and rosemary, and ½ teaspoon each of dried oregano and thyme.
  • Shallots & Garlic – Aromatics play a big role in the overall flavor of a soup. Shallots and garlic are perfect! 

    Shallots can be replaced with an onion of your choice (for an even stronger flavor), but be sure to use fresh garlic instead of powdered.
browned beef in pan.

Kitchen Hacks for Hearty Vegetable Beef Soup

  • Don’t Forget To Deglaze – This is huge! There’s so much flavor cooked onto the bottom of the pot. 

    The wine scoops all of it up and makes a fantastic base for the soup. 
  • Best Sides to Serve – Bread is never a bad idea! Cornbread, beer bread, and garlic bread. 

    And since Italian beef soup is rather rich and hearty, a crisp and refreshing salad would be a relief to bite into!
  • Thicken The Broth – There are two ways to do this. The first method is to simply use less stock – just 2 cups or so – for a thicker broth with a stronger flavor. 

    Alternatively, you can make a slurry with water and either cornstarch or flour. This won’t affect the flavor much at all, but will achieve a thick, silky consistency.  
shallot and garlic in pot.

Storing and Reheating Italian Beef Soup

Keep any leftover beef soup chilled for 3 to 4 days. 

Reheat it right back on the stovetop over medium heat until all warmed through! 

Sometimes this hearty beef vegetable soup is even better the next day, after everything sits in the broth overnight. 

adding veggies to pot.

Italian Beef Soup FAQ

What is the best cut of beef for soup? 

The best cut of meat for beef soup is either a chuck roast, chuck shoulder, chuck-eye roast or top chuck – with chuck roast being my personal favorite.

These are the most tender cuts. Despite what the name suggests, stew meat is not your best choice in a beef soup recipe! The cubes in a stew pack can actually come from any combination of cuts, and you never know if they’ll be suited for simmering or not.

Can you freeze Italian beef soup? 

Yep! 

Let it cool down first, and then portion into separate containers so that you can thaw just one serving at a time. If you plan on reheating all of it at once, then a freezer bag or other airtight container will do just fine for the whole batch.

What is the difference between soup and stew? 

It’s probably exactly what you think – a stew is basically a thicker, richer, heartier soup. 

Stews simmer down the broth for maximum flavor, while soups tend to just cook and heat the liquid. Both are great in their own way, but stews are almost always more flavorful and satisfying than soups!

What toppings go well with this homemade vegetable beef soup recipe?

Since this recipe is made with simple ingredients, you’ll love all the toppings and flavors that you can add. Bay leaves are great for adding flavor (but not to eat), and fresh parsley is always delicious. 

Add some black pepper and other fresh herbs to really enhance the wonderful taste. (garlic powder is great with the tender beef!) Crusty bread or croutons are a great choice, too! 

When you have a homemade soup this delicious, the only thing that you have to really worry about is that you’ll want more because there is lots of flavor. Keep this simple recipe handy during the winter months because it doesn’t take a lot of time to make, but it’s going to stick in your mind for a long time. 

Vegetable beef soup recipes like this are the best! It’s a simple good soup to share with family and friends! 

spoonful of beef soup.

Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours. 

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bowl of italian beef soup.

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Italian beef soup

Homemade Vegetable Beef Soup + Video

Donna Elick
Italian Beef Soup is a slow simmered masterpiece. Try my easy beef soup recipe for a mouthwatering mix of tender beef and flavorful veggies!
5 stars from 8 reviews
Tried this recipe?Please comment and review!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 40 minutes
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Method Stovetop
Servings 12 1 cup servings

Equipment

Ingredients
 

  • 2 pounds beef chuck roast, trimmed and cut into 1 – 1 1/2 inch cubes
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 shallot, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 32 ounces beef stock, 4 cups
  • 1 cup Cabernet Sauvignon
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 4 cups chopped red potatoes, bite-size pieces (about 1/2″)
  • 3 cups chopped baby carrots, bite-size pieces
  • fresh parsley to garnish, optional

Instructions
 

  • Trim hard fat (which does not melt during the cooking process) and silver skin (white and silvery looking) from beef and cut into 1 – 1 1/2″ cubes. It takes about 5 minutes, but don’t skip this step. It is sooo worth it.
  • Combine flour, paprika, pepper, and 1 teaspoon salt in a large 1-gallon resealable bag. Seal and shake to combine. Add beef and shake until well coated.
  • Warm olive oil in a large dutch oven (or heavy bottom pot), over medium-high heat, once you can feel the warmth when holding your hand 6 inches from the pot, add butter. Once butter is melted, carefully add beef. Do not crowd the pot, only add about 1/2 of the beef at a time.
  • Remove beef from flour and shake gently to remove loose flour. Place coated beef in the pan, one piece at a time, brown on all sides, about 3-5 minutes per side. Cook in two batches, about half each time. Turn pieces until all sides are browned and remove them and place them in your upside-down pot lid. Once the first batch is cooked, add the second batch and repeat.
  • Meanwhile, prepare shallot and garlic. Shallot should be diced and garlic minced. Set aside.
  • Once all beef is browned, add shallots and garlic. Cook until translucent, about 3 minutes.
  • Add wine and deglaze the pan by scraping up the browned bits at the bottom of the pan. Add beef stock, Worcestershire and Italian seasoning, remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Stir to combine. Return beef to the pot.
  • Cover and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer. Allow soup to simmer 40 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, prepare potatoes and carrots. Cut vegetables into bite-size pieces. Set aside.
  • Add potatoes and carrots. Stir to coat vegetables and cover. Simmer 40-50 minutes or until vegetables are fork-tender. Taste broth. If necessary, add additional salt to taste (mine was perfect).
  • Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve and enjoy!

Video

Donna’s Notes

I do not recommend using beef stew meat. It is a combination of cuts of meat that may not be right for this soup. The best cuts of meat to use for this beef soup are chuck roast, chuck shoulder, chuck-eye roast or top chuck. These cuts will result in meltingly tender beef that you can cut with a spoon, perfect for this dish!
You can substitute onion for shallot if you are looking for a stronger onion flavor.
4 teaspoons of beef base or bouillon and 4 cups of water can be substituted for the beef stock.
Dried Italian Seasoning is a fabulous convenience ingredient. If you do not keep it on hand, combine 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano and 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme.
For a thicker stew-like consistency, cut the beef stock back to 2 cups.
I know some people are sensitive to alcohol. I will say the wine adds a fabulous rich burgundy flavor to the soup, and if you can use the cabernet, I highly recommend it. However, you can substitute with beef stock, grape, pomegranate, or cranberry juice.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 243cal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 642mg | Sugar: 3g | Fiber: 2g | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 3mg

All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Italian beef soup recipe.

Originally published September 2014, updated and republished December 2023

Disclosure: Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link your price will remain the same and The Slow Roasted Italian will automatically receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting us, it helps us keep creating new recipes.

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254 Comments

    2. I added canned tomatoes, A chopped onion, fresh pearl onions. It was great even though I didn't add wine. It got better every day!

      Reply

    5. I made this soup today and I added onions, and garlic. My family loved it. I didn't add the Worcestershire sauce. Also, I made this recipe in my pressure cooker and I took about 30 minutes from start to finish.

      Reply

    6. Just curious. I just got an electric pressure cooker. Do you use the same measurements as the stovetop? Thanks!!

      Reply

    10. Made this today and it was delicious. I cant find nutional info. Can you let me know where to find it?

      Reply

    11. I made this it was delicious I did 5 cups of beef broth instead of the 1 cup wine. Lessened 1 cup carrots added 1 cup diced potatoes it was delicious will make again and again

      Reply

    12. When I make beef soup or Stew I use boneless short ribs from Costco. Lots of flavor and always tender. I will try this.

      Reply

    1. It is truly amazing, M1CAL. My husband has been going bonkers over it all week. You know that "eyes roll back in your head" kinda good? Yeah. That good. Enjoy and let us know how it goes!

      Thanks for stopping by.

      Reply

    2. Hi Donna,

      This does sound amazing and I know that you're italian (me too) since this recipe is for an army. What are the quantities for say 4 people?

      Dan

      Reply

    1. The right cut truly makes the difference. I can't wait to hear how it goes. Enjoy and check back in with us after you make it.

      Reply

    1. Absolutely. Start the beef on the stovetop and after the meat has been browned and the pan deglazed you can transfer it to the crockpot. Enjoy and let us know how it goes.

      Reply

    3. Crockpot cooking works best on low and cooking very slow. I cooked only with the crock for two years when I didn't have an oven or stove. I recommend that you begin cooking the beef, shallot/onion, and carrots by themselves in the crock on low for about two hours. Add in the potatoesafter two hours, so they don't turn to mush, and cook for another 4-6 hours (depending on your crock and on the weather that day). Good luck!

      Reply

    4. I like to loosely wrap the veggies, lightly coated in oil, in a foil pouch and put it on top of the stew, while it cooks in the crock pot. That way, you don't have to worry about timing and the veggies maintain a little texture, some tooth and don't turn to complete mush in the stew.

      Reply

    1. It freezes very well. If you are cooking it specifically to freeze, slightly under cook the veggies (that way when they are reheated they will not get mushy). Allow to come to room temperature before sealing in containers. Defrost and warm in a saucepan over medium heat. Enjoy!

      Reply

    2. When you say defrost, do you mean to put the whole frozen chunk in a pot over medium heat. Or do I need to keep it in the fridge to thaw? Sorry, new to freezer meals.

      Reply

    3. I think she is talking about the frozen beef stew from your freezer. When you want to eat at a later date defrost at room temperature and then warm up on the stove in a saucepan.

      Reply

  19. I am not sure how I found your sight but it's been awhile and honestly it's one of my favorite on the net. Your page is so clean and your graphics are unbelievable. You and chad ever get approached to do a tv show? Keep up the great work.

    Reply

    3. "Janet Lynn"?
      Are you the same Janet Lynn as the gold medal winning ice skater from the Sapporo Olympic games?
      …if not, I bet you're sick of this question. 😉

      Reply

  20. Never cooked with wine before – where do you buy what you have listed? Or is there another that you could recommend?

    Reply

    1. The wine really makes the soup. Entwine is sold at retailers nationwide. My Kroger actually sells it and I believe BevMo may as well. Enjoy and let us know how it goes.

      Reply

    2. Do you know where else I can buy Entwine? I live in FL and am having trouble finding a retailer but we are dying to try this! If not what would be a good substitute? I don't cook with wine often so I have no idea. 🙂

      Reply

    3. Have you tried buying Entwine at Publix??…I also live in south Florida.. if not try Walgreens liquor store.. hope that helps..

      Reply

    1. I do freeze the whole thing. When preparing a recipe for the freezer I will slightly under cook the vegetables so that when it is reheated they do not get mushy. Let us know how it goes. Enjoy!

      Reply

  22. I made this soup yesterday. Definitely a hit!! PS I added a 28 oz can of diced tomatoes…just added more flavor

    Reply

    2. Are you on a gluten free diet? My son is also. When a recipe like this calls for flour, I use corn starch in place of the flour.

      Reply

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