This might look like some ordinary soup, but let me tell you that it is anything but. When paired with a grilled cheese sandwich and a dreary day, this soup becomes a panacea for the winter blues. This recipe is based on my mother’s phenomenal go-to cabbage soup recipe. Any type of beans will work here; I use a 16 bean mix because I like the variety. If you don’t have dried beans you can use canned beans, just be sure to add them to the soup at the end when all the veggies are done cooking. For the chance to win some Larabars, check out Nicole's fantastic blog, Prevention RD (and while you're there take a look around...she's got tons of wonderful information there)!
Beef & Bean Vegetable Soup
(Yield: About 8 servings)
2 TB olive oil
About 1 ½ lb beef, trimmed of fat and cut in cubes
1 head cabbage, chopped (you can use regular green leaf, Savoy, or Napa cabbage)
20 oz dried beans, soaked in cold water overnight
3 medium onions, chipped
5 cloves garlic, minced
5 large carrots, chopped
4 large stalks celery, chopped
1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes (with juices)
10 oz tomato paste
2 bay leaves
3 beef bouillon cubes
3 TB Italian herb spice mix
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
Dash Worcestershire sauce
Salt and pepper
A large soup pot
In a large soup pot, heat the olive oil and brown the meat. If you’re using dried beans, make sure to soak them in cold water overnight. Drain the beans and add the dried, soaked beans into the pot with the meat; add 1 teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon of pepper. If you’re using green leaf cabbage, add it to the pot now, and add enough water to cover everything. (If you’re using Savoy or Napa cabbage, don’t add it now; add it to the pot when you add the other veggies).
Bring the meat, cabbage, and beans up to a boil and then put a lid on the pot and simmer it for about 60 to 90 minutes (stirring occasionally), depending on how long it takes for the beans to cook.
After the beans are tender, add all of the other ingredients and add just enough water to cover everything; bring it up to a boil then turn it down to a simmer and let it cook for about 30-60 minutes until the veggies are tender. If you’re using canned beans instead of dry beans, add them when the vegetables are done, just to heat the beans. Before serving, season to taste with salt and pepper.
Onto my announcement. Many of you might know that Foodbuzz and Pace Picante Sauce recently gave out samples of Pace's sauce through Foodbuzz's Tastemaker program. Once your recipe was posted you were automatically entered into a contest to win $500 from Pace to host a Super Bowl party. Well...I made and posted my recipe for Stovetop Soutwest Mac 'n' Cheese...and I won!!! I couldn't be more thrilled to win (a huge thank you to Pace and Foodbuzz)! Even though Mike might have to guide me through the game (since I'm somewhat football-imparied), I plan on throwing a party to remember!
Within a week after the Super Bowl I'll be posting my party game plan, complete with recipes, shopping lists, and do-ahead instructions, so stay tuned. ;)
Dawn (HealthySDLiving) says
Omg congratulations!!!!!!!
Ingrid says
Your beef and beans soup looks good. I recently made an awesome beef and barley stew which the kiddos just finished off as an after school snack. I'm going to try your recipe next as they look the yummy goodness of soups and stews.
Congrats on winning!
~ingrid
Nutmeg Nanny says
Congratulations!!! I'm so happy for you :) Am I invited over for the party...haha. This soup looks great too...yum!
Erica says
It is cold in CT today!!!! That looks so good.....I love beans in any form......comforting and delicious looking soup.
Barbara says
Congratulations on winning! I'm really happy for you!
Now your soup: it looks wonderful and hearty. Love the amount of beans and cabbage is a favorite around here.
Joanne says
Firstly. I am so impressed that you used the word panacea in a blog post. That is a feat in and of itself.
Nextly. I want this soup with a grilled cheese sandwich. Immediately. That picture with the bean mix is lovely.
Lastly. Congrats on winning! I remember that mac and cheese. It was dreamy. And now it is also award-winning.
Lucy says
This soup looks amazing - I can just imagine it with a grilled cheese sandwich and am now very hungry!
Congratulations on winning - thats so exciting! I look forward to more updates on the party :)
figtreeapps says
It s a cold night in Philadelphia...I would love to come home to a bowl of this soup!!YUM
sophia says
Okay, before I get to your wonderful soup...OMG!!! FAITH!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! AHHHHHH!!! You totally deserve it, my dear friend!!! YAAAY!!
And now the soup: wow, that is a LOT of different kind of beans. I've never had such a fantastically varied soup before! Will you come feed me please?
Reeni says
Congratulations on the recipe contest! That's awesome! I could use a giant bowl of your hearty and delicious soup right now to warm me from head to toe!
Jen says
Congratulations Faith! I am so happy for you! I'm sure that your party will be spectacular. I can't wait to see the menu!
The soup looks fantastic - hearty and healthy!
Chiara says
Congratulations! Winning $500 is awesome. Not that I ever won any money, let alone $500, but I'm imagining it is. How are you going to spend it?
marla {Family Fresh Cooking} says
Hi Faith! This soup looks balanced and great! Perfect for a chilly winter's day! I like the addition of cabbage. I love my Cruciferous veggies!! CONGRATS on winning the Foodbuzz contest. $500 Yipee!!! That recipe does look awesome!!
Come visit FFC, I got another yummy chocolate GiveAway going on!
Blond Duck says
I love this soup! And congrats on winning!!!
Nicole, RD says
That's awesome! What a fun contest to win! I'm sure that mac was well-deserving : )
The recipe looks great -- another one to save! I love that it has cabbage in it. I love cabbage and I'm always looking for fun new ways to eat it!
Thanks for posting a link to my giveaway!
Have a great weekend, Faith!
Krista says
Congrats on the win! That's SO exciting. And that soup would be perfect on a cold day like today. Wish I had some...
deana@lostpastremembered says
That is such great news...congrats on the win, Faith... great recipes deserve rewards!!! Yeah!!!
grace says
congrats on your win, faith! it's about time your kitchen prowess was rewarded. :)
great soup--i love those bean mixes. it's always a fun game to try to identify each type of bean.
Emily says
I just discovered you and started reading, but I wanted to throw out a congrats on your win, that's pretty cool! If you need some recipes for your Superbowl party, come by my site. I've been making a theme for football food. =)
Congrats again and I look forward to follow you, thus far your recipes look delicious! =)
http://www.ezsrecipes.com
coco says
congratulations!!! i can totally see why you win, your recipes are always so unique!!!
love the 16 beans pic! :)
Sweets at Vicky's says
I just love beef soup. Unfortunately we can't bring beef into the house-religious reasons. Perhaps it'll be as yummy with chicken! :)
MaryMoh says
This looks very delicious and healthy with so many types of beans in it. I love the savoy cabbage too. Would be so good with crusty bread. Thanks for sharing.
Mimi says
What a wonderful, hearty soup, so perfect for a cold winter night.
Congrats on you Pace win, can't wait to see what your party is like.
Mimi
chaya says
First, congratulations on winning. If there was ever a person worthy of being a winner, it is you, Faith.
That is a lot of beans. The soup looks so comfy cozy.
Karyn Bernard (French Charming) says
I've been on a soup kick lately and I love this recipe! Oh my goodness sweet friend...I am absolutely thrilled for you! Congratulations!! It couldn't have happend to a more wonderful person! I love when good things happen to good people! YIPPEE!!!
Love and hugs,
Karyn
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
That looks wonderful Faith! :) Like a big hug in a bowl and if one were ever troubled, this would eliminate any pains quickly :)
ROSIE CRUZ says
I LOVE YOUR COOKING
admin says
Rosie, Thanks honey!
P.S. Rosie is my 6 year old niece...she was on the computer today with Mike (she calls my blog my "dot-com"...adorable, right?!). ;)