This classic hearty Beef and Tomato Soup warms you up inside out. A childhood favourite, this beef and tomato stew can be made with the Instant Pot, slow cooker, or on the stove top!
Hearty Beef and Tomato Soup
This simple beef and tomato soup is a blast from the past. I can still remember when my mom would make it for me in the colder months so after needing to turn on the heat and wear fuzzy socks at home, I felt like it was time to cook up a pot of hearty beef and tomato soup. It’s perfect as dinner, a meal prep, or even Sunday brunch!
Beef and Tomato Stew vs Beef and Tomato Soup
According to Taste of Home, “in theory, a soup is a combination of vegetables, meat or fish cooked in liquid. A stew is any dish that’s prepared by stewing – that is, the food is barely covered with liquid and simmered for a long time in a covered pot.” I feel like this Beef and Tomato Stew/Soup is somewhere in-between so I use the term interchangeably for this recipe!
What You Need To Make Beef and Tomato Soup
- olive oil
- stew beef
- salt and pepper
- onion, carrots
- baby potatoes
- Worcestershire sauce
- stewed tomatoes
- tomato paste
- beef broth or stock: I use Better Than Bouillon
- salt, pepper, garlic powder, thyme, rosemary, bay leaf
What are Stewed Tomatoes?
My recipe for beef and tomato stew uses stewed tomatoes. My can of stewed tomatoes has “TOMATOES, TOMATO JUICE, DRIED VEGETABLES (ONIONS, CELERY, GREEN PEPPER), SUGAR, SALT, CITRIC ACID, CALCIUM CHLORIDE, SPICE” listed in the ingredients. Stewed tomatoes are cooked (or stewed) with other vegetables before canning and contain non-uniformed shaped sections of tomatoes (compared to diced tomatoes, diced uniformly).
Like I mentioned above, stewed tomatoes usually contain some bell peppers, onions, celery, and/or garlic. They have been stewed to enhance the flavours. There’s also some sugar in there so it’s on the sweeter side. So using stewed tomatoes, there is an extra layer of flavour to it. While you can substitute for diced tomatoes, the overall flavour of the beef and tomato stew may not taste exactly the same.
How To Make Beef and Tomato Stew in the Pressure Cooker
On sauté mode, add olive oil into the Instant Pot and brown your beef, adding some salt and pepper to the meat in this process. Because we are using 1 pound of beef, I suggest browning the meat in batches so we don’t overcrowd the pot. When done, use a bit of beef stock to deglaze the pot if needed.
Next, add in the rest of the ingredients, stir, put on the lid, set the valve to sealing, and set to manual for 35 minutes. It will take up to 30 minutes to come up to pressure.
Once done, either let it natural pressure release or quick release after 10-15 minutes.
Remove the bay leaf and serve.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container or portion it out as your meal prep.
How To Make Beef and Tomato Soup in the Slow Cooker
Brown the beef with olive oil on the stovetop before adding the beef and the rest of the ingredients into the slow cooker.
Cook on low for 7-8 hours.
Remove the bay leaf and serve.
How To Make Beef and Tomato Soup on the Stove Top
In a dutch oven, add the olive oil and brown the beef with some salt and pepper.
Next, add the rest of the ingredients, stir, bring to a boil, place the lid on top, and let the soup simmer for 2-3 hours or once the beef has tenderized to your liking.
Remove the bay leaf and serve.
Tips and Notes on Making Beef and Tomato Stew
While you could skip browning the meat, browning the meat first caramelizes the surface of the meat and will add an extra rich flavour to the stew.
How To Store Leftover Soup
I store all leftovers in an airtight container. As I like to meal prep this beef and tomato stew so I can bring it to work with me, I like to use these containers.
Can You Freeze Beef and Tomato Soup
I’d personally avoid the freezing this beef and tomato stew due to the potatoes. Potatoes on their own don’t freeze too well. However, if you use a waxy potato such as red potato, you may have luck with freezing! Alternative, if you really would like to freeze this specific beef and tomato stew, you can remove the potatoes before freezing!
Other Ingredients You Can Add To Beef and Tomato Stew
- peas (fresh or frozen): I love adding peas to this soup! Plus it adds a pop of colour.
- corn (fresh or frozen)
- green beans
- celery
- baby bok choy: add this at the end. Bring the soup up to a boil and add it in.
- Taiwanese noodles: I find the beef and tomato soup’s flavour to be similar to Taiwanese beef noodles so noodles would go well with this!
Beef and Tomato Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb stew beef
- 1 tsp salt and pepper
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 1 lb baby potatoes, halved
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 796 ml stewed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 3 cups beef stock
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp dried thyme
- 1 tbsp dried basil
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
Instant Pot Instructions
- On sauté mode, add olive oil into the Instant Pot and brown your beef, adding some salt and pepper to the meat in this process. Do not overcrowd the pot. When done, use a bit of beef stock to deglaze the pot if needed.
- Next, add in the rest of the ingredients, stir, put on the lid, set the valve to sealing, and set to manual for 35 minutes. It will take up to 30 minutes to come up to pressure.
- Once done, either let it natural pressure release or quick release after 10-15 minutes.
- Remove the bay leaf and serve.
Slow Cooker Instructions
- Brown the beef with olive oil on the stovetop before adding the beef and the rest of the ingredients into the slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 7-8 hours.
- Remove the bay leaf and serve.
Stove Top Instructions
- In a dutch oven, add the olive oil and brown the beef with some salt and pepper.
- Next, add the rest of the ingredients, stir, bring to a boil, place the lid on top, and let the soup simmer for 2-3 hours or once the beef has tenderized to your liking.
- Remove the bay leaf and serve.
Notes
Nutrition Per Serving
MORE INSTANT POT RECIPES TO TRY!
- Easy Peel Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
- Instant Pot Salsa Chicken
- Instant Pot Steak and Mushrooms
- Instant Pot Broccolini Broccoli Cheddar Soup
- Instant Pot Lemon Chicken and Rice Soup
- Instant Pot Chickpeas
- Instant Pot Coconut Rice
- Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken
RESOURCES AND TIPS FOR MEAL PREPPING
- How To Cook Chicken Breasts Perfectly
- What Is An Instant Pot
- Tips To Help You Meal Prep For The Week Successfully
- Meal Prep Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mealprepsupport/
Other places to connect with me
Instagram: @carmyshungry
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carmyycom
Email: [email protected]
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