Hearty Beef and Vegetable Soup
A proper chunky beef soup with barley and root veg. One big pot makes eight lunches that freeze brilliantly.
- Time2 hr
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.19 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Estimated nutrition per serving
- 212kcal
- 10.7gcarbs
- 6.6gof which sugars
- 11.4gfat
- 4.6gsaturates
- 15.9gprotein
- 3.7gfibre
- 0.5gsalt
A rough estimate worked out from the ingredients, for the serving size above. It is a guide only and not medical advice. If you count carbs or manage diabetes, check with your own tools and your care team.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oil in a large heavy pan over a high heat. Brown the beef in two batches for 5 minutes each, then lift out onto a plate.
10 min - 2
In the same pan cook the onions, carrots, celery and swede for 8 minutes, stirring, until they take on a little colour. Add the garlic and tomato purée and cook for 1 minute.
9 min - 3
Return the beef to the pan with the barley, bay, thyme, crumbled stock cubes, water and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to the boil, then turn down, part cover and simmer for 1 hour 15 minutes.
75 min - 4
The beef should be soft enough to squash with a spoon and the barley plump. Stir in the peas and cook for 5 minutes. Taste and season.
5 min - 5
Cool the soup fast, within 2 hours, and keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- 6
To freeze, ladle into tubs or bags and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge.
- 7
Reheat in a pan for 10 minutes until it is bubbling and steaming hot all through, adding a splash of water as the barley soaks up liquid. From frozen, heat gently with a splash of water, covered, for 20 minutes.
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.
