Description
This hearty Crock Pot Beef and Bean Soup is a comforting and flavorful meal perfect for chilly days. Ground beef, beans, vegetables, and a rich tomato base slow cook together to create a nourishing and easy-to-make soup with minimal hands-on time.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
Soup Base
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups vegetable or chicken stock
- 1 can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups frozen corn
Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon salt, divided
- ½ teaspoon fresh cracked pepper, divided
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
Instructions
- Cook the Beef and Onion: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and chopped onion along with half the salt, pepper, and minced garlic. Cook, breaking up the beef, until the meat is fully browned and onions are softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Prepare Slow Cooker Base: Transfer the cooked beef and onion mixture to the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the chopped carrots and celery, then gently pour in the crushed tomatoes and stock. Stir in the cannellini beans, remaining salt, pepper, and dried thyme, mixing all ingredients evenly.
- Slow Cook the Soup: Cover the slow cooker and cook the soup on low heat for 5 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the vegetables to become tender.
- Add Corn and Continue Cooking: After 5 hours, uncover the slow cooker and stir in the frozen corn. Cover again and cook for an additional 1 hour to heat the corn through.
- Finish and Serve: Stir the soup well, taste, and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot with your choice of bread or garnish.
Notes
- For a thicker soup, you can remove the lid during the last 30 minutes to allow some liquid to evaporate.
- Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter protein option.
- To make the soup spicier, add a pinch of red chili flakes or hot sauce.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the ground beef and use vegetable broth along with extra beans or lentils.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 21g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
