Ground Beef Vegetable Soup (Healthy One-Pot Meal)

🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4–6)

 Protein

• 500 g (1 lb) ground beef (80–90% lean)

Vegetables

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion (diced)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 celery stalks (chopped)
• 2 carrots (sliced) (skip for strict keto)
• 1 zucchini (chopped)
• 1 cup green beans (cut)
• 1 bell pepper (chopped)
• 1 cup spinach or kale

 Broth & Seasoning

• 4 cups beef broth (preferably low sodium)
• 1 can (400 g) diced tomatoes (no added sugar for Whole30)
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• ½ tsp cumin (optional)
• Salt & black pepper (to taste)
• 1 bay leaf

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Brown the Beef

• Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
• Add ground beef, cook until browned (5–7 min).
• Break into crumbles and drain excess fat if needed.

2️⃣ Sauté Aromatics

• Add onion, garlic, celery, and carrots.
• Cook for 4–5 minutes until softened.

3️⃣ Build the Soup

• Stir in tomato paste and spices.
• Add diced tomatoes and beef broth.
• Drop in bay leaf.
• Bring to a boil.

4️⃣ Simmer

• Reduce heat and simmer 15–20 minutes.

5️⃣ Add Remaining Veggies

• Add zucchini, green beans, and bell pepper.
• Cook another 10 minutes.

6️⃣ Finish

• Stir in spinach/kale until wilted.
• Adjust salt and pepper.
• Remove bay leaf and serve hot.

 Nutrition Information (Approx. per serving)

• Calories: 280–350 kcal
• Protein: 20–25 g
• Carbohydrates: 10–15 g (lower if no carrots)
• Fat: 18–22 g
• Fiber: 3–5 g

 Diet Compatibility

• ✔ Whole30 (ensure compliant broth & tomatoes)
• ✔ Keto (reduce carrots & tomatoes slightly)
• ✔ Paleo
• ✔ Gluten-free
• ✔ Dairy-free

💡 Tips for Best Flavor

• Use bone broth for extra richness and nutrients
• Let soup sit 10–15 minutes before serving (flavor deepens)
• Add chili flakes if you like heat 🌶️
• A squeeze of lemon brightens the flavor 🍋

 Q&A Section

Q1: Can I make this in a slow cooker?

Yes:

• Brown beef first
• Add everything except spinach
• Cook 6–8 hours (low) or 3–4 hours (high)
• Add spinach at the end

Q2: Can I freeze this soup?

Yes!

• Cool completely
• Freeze up to 3 months
• Reheat on stovetop or microwave

Q3: How do I make it more filling?

• Add cauliflower rice (keto-friendly)
• Add sweet potatoes (not keto but hearty)

Q4: Can I use other meats?

Yes:

• Ground turkey (leaner)
• Ground chicken
• Sausage (adds more flavor but more fat)

Q5: How do I thicken the soup?

• Simmer longer to reduce
• Mash some vegetables in the pot
• Add a bit of cauliflower puree (low-carb option)

Q6: Why is my soup bland?

• Add more salt gradually
• Boost with garlic, herbs, or a splash of vinegar/lemon
• Use richer broth

• Author
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Sara Mitchell

Sara Mitchell is an expert restaurant content creator who writes easy-to-read guides about CAVA and other Mediterranean fast-casual chains in the United States. She covers locations, menus, prices, and hours, making it simple for visitors to find nearby restaurants and what to order quickly.

With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.

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