Vegetable beef soup is a hearty and comforting soup that is beloved by many. It is chock full of tender beef, potatoes, carrots, celery, tomatoes and other veggies simmered in a savory broth. However, sometimes this soup can end up being too thin and watery. Luckily, there are some easy ways to thicken up vegetable beef soup to get it to the perfect comforting consistency.
Why Vegetable Beef Soup Can Get Watery
There are a few reasons why vegetable beef soup can sometimes turn out too thin
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Not simmering the soup long enough to reduce the broth and allow the starch from the potatoes to thicken it. Vegetable beef soup needs a good 2-3 hours of simmering time for the flavors to meld and the broth to reduce to a nice consistency.
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Adding too much water or stock, It’s easy to overestimate the amount of liquid needed Start with less and add more as needed
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Not adding enough starch Potatoes and barley add starch to thicken the broth, so if using few or none, the soup may be thin
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Over-stirring the soup. Constant stirring can break down the potatoes, releasing more starch and thinning the soup. Stir gently and only when needed.
5 Simple Ways to Thicken Vegetable Beef Soup
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Simmer the soup longer: Give your soup more time over low heat for the liquid to reduce and the starch from the potatoes and barley to thicken the broth. Shoot for at least 2-3 hours.
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Mix flour or cornstarch with cold liquid: Whisk together 1-2 tbsps flour or cornstarch with 1/4 cup cold broth until smooth. Slowly stir into simmering soup until desired consistency is reached.
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Puree some of the soup: Use an immersion blender and puree a cup or two of the chunky soup ingredients to release starch and thicken the broth.
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Add some cream or milk: Stir in 1/4 to 1/2 cup cream, half and half or whole milk at the end to enrich and slightly thicken the broth. Don’t boil after adding to prevent curdling.
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Mix in cooked pasta or rice: Cook pasta or rice separately and stir into finished soup to absorb broth and give it more body. Small pasta shapes or white rice work best.
Tips for Thickening Soup
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Add thickeners like flour, cornstarch or pureed veggies gradually and slowly to prevent lumps.
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For smooth purees, allow soup to cool slightly before blending. Don’t overfill blender.
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When adding dairy, temper it first by whisking in a ladle of hot broth before adding to soup.
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Resist the urge to over-stir while simmering to avoid releasing too much potato starch.
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For a thicker result, don’t add as much liquid to start. You can always thin it out later.
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Allow time for the soup to simmer uncovered to reduce the broth naturally.
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Barley, rice or small pasta added near the end of cooking will continue to absorb liquid.
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For gluten-free options, use cornstarch, arrowroot or blended soup to thicken instead of flour.
With a few simple tricks, you can easily transform a thin, watery vegetable beef soup into a rich, hearty and satisfying one with the perfect homestyle consistency. A long simmer, a bit of cream or a quick puree are easy ways to adjust a soup that turned out too thin. In no time, you’ll be enjoying big, steamy bowls of thick, comforting vegetable beef soup.
Use a butter and flour paste
You can also use a flour and butter paste called a beurre manié to thicken a soup. Just mix 2 tsp flour with 2 tsp soft butter, and while the soup is simmering, stir the paste into the pan. The butter will help disperse the flour throughout the liquid.
Blend in bread
Torn pieces of bread can be blended into soup to thicken it. Use a milder flavoured bread so as not to change the flavour of the soup, or use a sourdough if you want to add a stronger flavour. Soak the pieces of bread first to soften them and make the blending easier. Bread would add body to a fresh tasting tomato soup without changing the flavour.
HOMEMADE VEGETABLE BEEF SOUP ❤️ Step by Step
FAQ
How can I thicken my vegetable beef soup?
The two most common ways to thicken a broth are with either a cornstarch slurry (corn starch mixed with enough cold water to dilute it — which won’t be nearly as much water as you might think would be needed), or a roux (standard roux is a mix of flour and butter, usually a 2:1 ratio by weight).
Is it better to thicken soup with flour or cornstarch?
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Better Homes & Gardenshttps://www.bhg.comHow to Thicken Sauce Using Flour or Cornstarch – Better Homes & GardensJul 8, 2024 — It’s important to note that cornstarch has twice the thickening power of flour. If you need to substitute cornstarch to thicken liquid in a recipe th…
What can I use to thicken beef soup?
- Use a spoon to mash some of the potatoes (gold works best). You can also buy potato starch from many grocery stores. …
- Add leftover mashed potatoes.
- Add flour directly to the stew. …
- Add gelatin.
- Add beef gravy granules. …
- Keep a neutral thickener in your pantry.
What do restaurants use to thicken soup?
About this method: One of the most common ways to thicken sauces and soups is with a starch-based slurry, and cornstarch is a popular choice.
How do you thicken vegetable soup?
This is a general guide on how to puree vegetables to thicken soup: Transfer 1 cup of the cooked vegetable soup to a blender. Blend until the vegetables reach a pureed consistency. Pour the vegetable puree into the soup and stir. Repeat as necessary to achieve the desired consistency. A blender is the easiest way to puree only a portion.
Can I puree a soup to thicken it?
About this method: You can puree some of your soup to thicken it, particularly if the soup already incorporates components that would blend well, such as beans, lentils or potatoes. When to use this method: Bean, lentil or vegetable soups, especially potato-based soups, and gluten-free soups.
How do you thicken soup in a crock pot?
Add a few tablespoons of flour or cornstarch to the bowl and whisk until it’s blended smooth. Next, bring the soup to a simmer and add the mixture back to the pot. Don’t dump in the entire mixture at once. You may thicken your soup too much. Instead, add a small amount at a time until it reaches the desired consistency.
How do you make beef vegetable soup from scratch?
This hearty beef vegetable soup is easy to make from scratch with different cuts of meat! Simmer it on the Stove Top or in the Crock Pot and serve it with mashed potatoes or biscuits! ▢ ½ cup dry red wine, See Note 2. ▢ 2-3 drops Gravy Master, (Optional)- Adds an even richer darker color.
How do you thicken soup with dairy?
This is how to use dairy to thicken soup: Turn the heat off and remove the soup pot from the stove. Add a small amount of high-fat milk or cream. Stir well, then add more as needed. If you add the dairy too early, it will likely curdle. Instead, add it right at the end when the soup is no longer bubbling.
How do you thicken soup in a blender?
Hold down the blender lid with a thick towel while blending, and keep the lid on for several seconds after the blender is turned off. Here’s a hot tip for a soup thickener you’ve probably never thought of: frozen hash browns or leftover mashed potatoes.