Healthy Comfort: Just 5 ingredients. Packed with veggies and beef, this soup is hearty without being heavy.

This 5-ingredient slow cooker vegetable beef soup is my weeknight answer to the classic Midwestern beef-and-veg comfort bowl—without a sink full of dishes or a long ingredient list. At its core, this kind of soup is a pared-down cousin of old-fashioned beef and vegetable stews that traveled to the Midwest with European immigrants, then adapted to pantry staples like canned tomatoes and frozen vegetables. You get the same cozy, beefy depth with far less fuss. It’s a great option for busy days when you want something nourishing simmering away while you work, and it’s also a smart way to stretch a relatively small amount of stew meat into a full, satisfying meal.

This soup is lovely on its own, but it really shines with a simple side or two. Serve it with a crusty baguette or a slice of hearty whole-grain bread for dunking into the broth. A light green salad—think mixed greens with a tangy vinaigrette—balances the richness of the beef. If you want to keep things very Midwestern, a side of buttered crackers or cornbread is right at home next to the bowl. For a heartier spread, add a simple grilled cheese sandwich or a sharp cheddar and apple plate for contrast. And if you enjoy a finishing touch, a spoonful of sour cream or a sprinkle of shredded cheese on top of the soup can make it feel a bit more indulgent.

Servings: 6 servings

1 1/2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch pieces

Prepare the ingredients: If the stew meat is in large chunks, cut it into roughly 1-inch pieces so it cooks evenly and stays tender. Chop the onion into a medium dice; this helps it melt into the broth and flavor the entire soup.

Layer the slow cooker: Place the chopped onion in the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the beef stew meat on top. This arrangement lets the onion and beef cook together, building a flavorful base as they release their juices.

Add vegetables and tomatoes: Pour the frozen mixed vegetables over the beef. Add the can of diced tomatoes with all their juices. The tomato liquid is important—it contributes acidity and sweetness, which balance the richness of the meat.

Pour in the broth: Add the beef broth to the slow cooker, stirring gently to combine the ingredients without packing them down. The liquid should nearly cover the solids; if your slow cooker is very wide and the ingredients aren’t mostly submerged, you can add a bit more broth or water.

Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on LOW for 7–8 hours or on HIGH for 4–5 hours, until the beef is very tender and the vegetables are soft but not mushy. Slow, gentle heat helps break down the connective tissue in the stew meat, giving you that classic, spoon-tender texture.

Adjust and serve: Give the soup a good stir and taste the broth. If desired, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste (these are optional and not counted in the five ingredients, but they do enhance the flavor). Ladle into bowls and serve hot.

Because this recipe is intentionally minimalist, it’s easy to customize once you’ve mastered the base. For a heartier, stew-like texture, stir in 1/2 to 3/4 cup of quick-cooking barley, small pasta, or diced potatoes during the last 1–2 hours of cooking, adding extra broth if needed. If you prefer a deeper, more caramelized flavor, you can brown the stew meat and onions in a little oil in a skillet before adding them to the slow cooker—this step isn’t essential, but it adds a nice layer of complexity. For a slightly sweeter profile, choose a frozen vegetable mix that includes corn and carrots; for something more rustic, use a blend with green beans and lima beans. You can also swap the diced tomatoes for fire-roasted tomatoes to introduce a subtle smokiness. If you’d like to lean into different regional flavors, stir in a teaspoon or two of dried Italian seasoning or smoked paprika in the last hour of cooking. Finally, this soup freezes very well: cool it completely, portion into containers, and freeze for up to three months for an easy, reheat-and-eat dinner on busy nights.