Old-Fashioned Vegetable Beef Soup Recipe - Food.com (2024)

FAQs

Why does my vegetable beef soup taste bland? ›

What do I do if my vegetable beef soup tastes bland? The best way to ensure a flavorful soup is to brown the beef and onions in the beginning. If the soup tastes bland at the end of cooking, add more spices and herbs. After adding, allow the soup to cook a little longer so the flavors to meld together.

Some enhancers: Add a dash of soy sauce, or Worcestershire sauce, or a spoonful of pomegranate molasses, or a spoonful of Marmite, or a bit of anchovy paste. All of these add some umami (i.e.savoriness). Try a bit of these at a time and taste as you go until you achieve the desired enhancement.

BEEF BROTH (WATER, BEEF STOCK), POTATOES, CARROTS, SEASONED BEEF, BARLEY, GREEN BEANS, PEAS, TOMATO PASTE, POTATO STARCH, CELERY, SALT, VEGTABLE OIL (CORN, CANOLA AND/OR SOYBEAN), DEHYDRATED ONIONS, YEAST EXTRACT, FLAVOUR, CARAMEL. Nutritional Information is based on our current data.

Some of our favorites are Dried Shallots, Dehydrated Red Bell Pepper, Dehydrated Green Bell Pepper, Tomato Flakes, Minced Onion and Roasted Garlic Flakes. Or, add a bay leaf to your recipe. The bay leaf will give the soup a little something extra without overwhelming the dish.

You can also add tomato paste or fresh or dried herbs like oregano or thyme. Starchy root vegetables like potato, parsnips, turnips and swede will add body to the soup and turn it into a true meal in a bowl. Using a good-quality stock (or making your own) will enhance the flavour of the soup.

Boosting Flavor

For more flavor add in more dried herbs (or even triple the amount of dried thyme). Other good herbs to add include basil, oregano, rosemary, marjoram, or Italian seasoning. Another option to add more flavor is to use a homemade chicken stock or vegetable broth.

It may sound a bit strange and unusual for some, but vinegar is a common ingredient in some soup recipes, and there is a good reason for it. If you think about it, vinegar is really a flavor-enhancer (umami). That's why it is so often used in cooking, sauces, and salad dressings. The same is true with soups.

Lemon Juice

Acidity in a soup can really make a difference because it adds a high back-note. When adding lemon juice, add at the end of cooking to keep its bright flavor.

What is the best thickener for vegetable soup? ›

Add flour or cornflour

Put a tablespoon of either into a small bowl and stir in 2-3 tbsp of the soup until you have a smooth mixture. Stir this back into the soup and bring it to a simmer. Cook for a few minutes to allow the starch granules to burst to thicken, and to cook out any flour flavour.

A family favorite for generations, this veggie soup is crafted with farm-grown vegetables like carrots, celery, green beans and peas plus O-shaped pasta in a savory beef stock.

Chicken Broth

This savory, salty liquid has a milder flavor than beef broth but is a good one-to-one replacement. Chicken broth also has a similar nutrition profile to beef broth, low in calories and high in sodium.

Roast or caramelize your vegetables before adding them to your soup to bring out their natural sweetness. Add ingredients like mushrooms, tomatoes, soy sauce, miso, or seaweed to enhance the flavor of your soup. Use fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, basil or thyme to add fresh flavor to your soup.

Use a good broth or stock: A high-quality vegetable or chicken broth will enhance the flavor. You can also make your own broth for an extra depth of taste. 3. Choose a variety of fresh vegetables: Use a mix of fresh, colorful vegetables like carrots, celery, bell peppers, and tomatoes to add both flavor and texture.

If the soup is already made and you just want to deepen the flavour, try a shake of a pre-made sauce such as Worcestershire, brown sauce, barbecue sauce, soy or even kecap manis etc. For next time, more or better beef stock.

A squeeze of citrus, a dollop of yogurt or a drizzle of cream, a dusting of cheese or a good chile powder, a sprinkling of some herbs or croutons — all can take a perfectly fine soup into the realm of the delectable. Even a spiral of good olive oil to finish and some coarse sea salt can do wonders.