Vegetable beef soup is the ultimate comfort food. This hearty, chunky soup packed with beef, potatoes, carrots, celery, tomatoes and spinach provides a warming, satisfying meal. However, while the soup itself is quite filling, it’s always nice to pair it with a delicious side dish to round out the meal.
I love making a big batch of vegetable beef soup on chilly weekends It fills our home with such a wonderful aroma But the key to taking this classic soup to the next level is serving it alongside a complementary side that adds more flavors and textures to the mix.
In this article, I’ll share 15 of my favorite side dishes to serve with vegetable beef soup. I’ve got options that are crunchy, creamy, crispy, cheesy and more. Keep reading to discover some sensational sides that will make your next bowl of beef and veggie soup feel like a complete and balanced meal.
1. Crusty Bread
You really can’t go wrong pairing vegetable beef soup with a loaf of crusty bread The bread soaks up the rich, savory broth while adding pleasant chewiness I like to tear off rustic chunks of a French baguette, Italian ciabatta or whole grain boule to dip into my soup. The interplay of the soft, tender potatos and carrots with the crunch of the bread is so satisfying. Fresh from the oven, the bread also adds warmth and fragrance that enhances the whole soup-eating experience.
2. Garlic Bread
For an extra hit of flavor, turn that crusty bread into garlic bread. Spread the sliced loaf with butter or olive oil mixed with minced garlic before toasting or baking it until crispy and golden brown on the edges. The hit of garlicky richness takes this classic soup-and-bread combo to the next level. With its intense aromas and flavors, garlic bread is one of my absolute favorite pairings for pot after pot of old-fashioned vegetable beef soup.
3. Dinner Rolls
In place of sliced bread, you could also serve warm, soft dinner rolls alongside the soup. Parker House rolls, cloverleaf rolls and crescent rolls are all excellent choices. Tear them apart to let the beef and vegetable broth seep into all the nooks and crannies. Dinner rolls spruce up a simple bowl of soup, making it feel like more of an occasion. Their sweet, pillowy texture contrasts pleasantly with the hearty chunks of beef and vegetables swimming around in the soup.
4. Cornbread
Savory cornbread is another great bread choice for serving with beef and vegetable soup. The slight sweetness of the corn-based quick bread balances out the deeply umami flavors of the soup. Cornbread also has a delightfully coarse, almost crumbly texture when warm that pairs well with the smooth broth and fork-tender beef and veggies. Try topping wedges of cornbread with a pat of butter so it can melt down into all the crevices.
5. Potato Salad
Potato salad makes a nice cooling counterpart to the hot soup. The potato chunks in the salad mirror the soft, starchy potato pieces swimming in the broth. To make your potato salad, boil some small potatoes until fork tender. Toss them with mayonnaise, mustard, celery, onions, parsley and other desired seasonings. Chill the dressed potatoes for at least an hour before serving alongside piping hot bowls of vegetable beef soup for a delicious temperature contrast.
6. dinner rolls
(3)
7. cornbread
(2)
8. french baguette
(1)
9. garlic bread
(1)
10. green salad
(1)
11. irish mashed potatoes or colcannon
(1)
12. cauliflower mash
(1)
13. creamy polenta
(1)
14. roast potatoes
(1)
15. couscous
(1)
7. Coleslaw
For another tasty chilled side, try pairing your beef and veggie soup with crispy coleslaw. The crunch of the shredded cabbage and carrots plays off nicely against the fork-tender textures in the soup. You can make your coleslaw as simple or complex as you like by adjusting the ingredients in the dressing. A sweeter coleslaw with mayo, sugar and apple cider vinegar provides a pleasant flavor contrast to the deeply savory soup.
8. Green Salad
A simple green salad is a light and refreshing accompaniment to the rich heaviness of homemade vegetable beef soup. The greens provide a nice textural contrast to the tender vegetables and beef simmering in the soup’s broth. Build your salad with a combination of lettuces, spinach, kale or other greens along with toppings like tomato, cucumber, carrots, bell peppers, red onion, croutons and shredded cheese. Then dress it with your favorite vinaigrette or creamy dressing.
9. Cheese Quesadilla
Warm, melty cheese quesadillas are amazing alongside a bowl of stick-to-your-ribs vegetable beef soup. I love to load the quesadillas with cheddar cheese plus sauteed peppers and onions for even more flavor. The combo of hot, crisp tortillas with ooey, gooey melted cheese provides the ultimate texture pairing for the diverse components in the hearty soup. This is a great choice if you’re feeding kids – the quesadilla will please even the pickiest eaters!
10. Roasted Vegetables
Since vegetable beef soup already contains potatoes, carrots and other veggies, why not add even more produce to your meal with a side of roasted vegetables? Roast chunks of potatoes, carrots, parsnips, Brussels sprouts, bell peppers, zucchini, eggplant or any other favorite vegetables with olive oil, salt, pepper and fresh herbs in a hot oven until caramelized on the edges. The natural sweetness of the roasted veggies balances the slight bitterness of the simmered greens in the soup.
11. Rice Pilaf
Rice pilaf, flavored with sauteed onions and other aromatics, soaks up the rich broth beautifully. The fluffy grains of rice contrast pleasantly with the thick chunks of beef and vegetables in each spoonful of soup. For even more texture and intrigue, stir wild rice, barley or quinoa into the pilaf along with the white rice. The simple carbohydrates in the pilaf help make this soup meal feel fully satisfying.
12. Buttered Noodles
Buttered noodles keep things easy and comforting. Boil your favorite pasta shape, like egg noodles, linguine or spaghetti, until al dente. Toss the hot noodles with butter or olive oil so they don’t stick together. Twirling long ribbons of pasta coated in butter around your spoon is the perfect accompaniment to leisurely spoonfuls of beef and vegetable soup. The slick, smooth noodles provide the starchy balance you crave.
13. Mashed Potatoes
For the ultimate in comfort food sides, make some mashed potatoes to serve with the soup. Russets or Yukon golds mashed with butter, milk and seasonings are perfection alongside a steamy bowl of chunky vegetable soup. The cloud-like texture of creamy mashed spuds or potatoes is ideal for soaking up every last bit of the savory broth. Use a fork to swirl some of the potato and beef together for a truly heartwarming bite.
14. Seasoned Fries
Crunchy, crispy fries offer a fabulous textural foil for the tender ingredients in vegetable beef soup. Oven-baked fries are a healthier choice than their deep-fried counterparts. Toss potato wedges with olive oil, salt, pepper and other spices like cayenne, paprika or Italian seasoning before roasting in the oven. Sweet potato fries, with their hint of natural sweetness, provide even more complementary flavors. The potatoes and beef pair perfectly!
15. Cheesy Breadsticks
Warm, soft, chewy breadsticks brushed with butter, garlic and Parmesan are amazing for dipping into the soup. The interplay of the hard, crunchy breadsticks with the soft, thick soup is so satisfying. The savory cheesy flavor takes these breadsticks up a notch, making them a craveable accompaniment for the fragrant, herb-filled broth brimming with beef and vegetables. Dip, slurp and enjoy!
Satisfying Sides for Soul-Warming Soup
A hearty vegetable beef soup truly hits the spot on a chilly day. But rounding out the comforting one-pot meal with a delicious side dish makes it even more satisfying. I hope these 15 sensational side dish ideas have sparked some inspiration for your next pot of homemade beef and veggie soup.
With choices ranging from quick breads to cool salads and hot roasted veggies, you’re sure to find a pairing your whole family will love. So grab a loaf of crusty bread or whip up some fluffy dinner rolls and dig into a warming bowl of classic comfort food. With the right side dish, vegetable beef soup makes for the ultimate cold weather meal.
Cook the Ground Beef and Aromatic Veggies
Heat the vegetable oil in a Dutch oven to cook the beef, onions, and garlic in. We call for lean ground beef, so you get a rich beef flavor without all the grease that comes with ground beef containing more fat. Using the oil ensures that while the beef browns and the onions and garlic soften, none of them will stick to the sides or bottom of your Dutch oven. Drain the mixture by dumping it into a heatproof colander to remove any remaining beef juices that could make the soup taste greasy.
Adding Additional Flavor to the Soup
This vegetable beef soup has a great savory flavor the whole family will love. But you can change it up for a brand-new flavor or to use what you have on hand. Feel free to try any of these delicious ideas:
Swap the Ground Beef: Add some spicy heat by using a pound of bulk hot or sweet Italian or chorizo sausage for the ground beef.
Caramelize the Onions: Rather than cooking the onions with the ground beef and garlic, caramelize the onions first and add them with the other ingredients in step 2. This will add a rich, sweet, buttery flavor to the soup.
Add Some Zing: Perk up the flavor with a few dashes of red pepper sauce, Worcestershire sauce, or Dijon mustard. Or add a little heat with a tiny pinch of red pepper flakes, ground red pepper (cayenne), or a can of chopped green chiles with the remaining ingredients in step 3.
Change Up the Seasonings: Rather than use Italian seasoning, try a mixture of equal parts dried marjoram and thyme leaves with pepper. For a smoky flavor add a little smoked paprika or cumin. Or make a curry-flavored soup by substituting curry powder instead.
Make It Ahead: Yes, you read it correctly. Make the soup the day ahead and when you reheat it, the soup will actually have a more delicious flavor. See the storing and reheating leftovers section below for just how to do it.
I Could Eat This Soup Everyday and Never Get Tired Of It! Beef & Vegetable Soup Recipe ❤
FAQ
What do you serve with vegetable soup?
Breads, rolls, salad, an antipasto tray, fresh fruit, a baked potato, a grilled cheese sandwich– all are excellent sides with vegetable soup.
Is vegetable soup enough for dinner?
Yes, soup can definitely be a dinner option! It can be hearty and filling, especially if it includes protein, vegetables, and grains. Many people enjoy having soup as a main dish, often paired with bread or a salad.
How do you serve soup as a main course?
To serve soup as a main course, ensure it’s hearty and substantial by adding large pieces of protein like chicken, beef, or lentils. Pair it with a side like crusty bread, a salad, or grilled cheese.
What goes in beef vegetable soup?
- 1 lb beef stew meat.
- 1 onion.
- 3 celery ribs.
- 10 baby carrots (or a couple regular carrots)
- 2 potatoes (peeled if you like)
- 1 cup frozen corn.
- 1 cup frozen peas.
- 2 (14 ounce) cans diced tomatoes (I use salt-free)