Slow Cooker Beef and Bean Soup


31 Comments


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Slow Cooker Beef and Bean Soup combines the richness of beef and the creaminess of beans in a delightful blend of Italian-inspired flavors. It’s a wholesome, hearty soup that’s not only packed with flavor but also easy to prepare.

Other great soups we love that have a similar flavor profile are Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup and Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup.

scooping hearty italian beef soup out of a slow cooker.
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Why This Recipe Works

This is a recipe I got from a coworker! She made it for lunch for all of us along with dinner rolls. The rolls are meant to be dipped into the rich tomato soup.

This slow cooker beef and bean soup not only has tender beef but also white beans and a very flavorful thick tomato broth. The soup is perfectly flavored with Italian-based seasonings and plenty of broth for dipping bread into. We love to make this soup for potlucks! You may also like my slow cooker baked potato soup for serving at a potluck.

Recipe Ingredients

ingredients for slow cooker hearty italian beef soup on a table.
  • Beef Stew Meat: You’ll want to use cubed beef for this recipe. You can also use leftover prime rib, with no need to brown.
  • Cooking Oil: This will be used for browning the stew meat.
  • Vegetables: Diced white onion, carrots, celery, and a couple of cans of Italian seasoned diced tomatoes provide the perfect amount of heartiness and a touch of garden-style flavor.
  • Great Northern Beans: Also known as white beans, you’ll only need a can of drained beans for this delicious recipe.
  • Beef Broth: Contributes to the soup base and enhances the beefy flavor.
  • Tomato Paste: Adds a slight tomato flavor without being overbearing and this also thickens the soup a bit.
  • Seasonings: Salt, ground black pepper, onion powder, and dried oregano are the only seasonings you need to finish off the tasty flavor of this soup dish.
  • For serving: We love to serve this with parmesan cheese and bread!

Step-by-Step Directions

six images showing how to make slow cooker hearty italian beef soup.

Step One – Add enough cooking oil to coat the bottom of the pan and add the stew meat.

Step Two – Brown the stew meat on all sides

Step Three – Add meat to slow cooker.

Step Four – Then add the carrots, onion, celery, diced tomatoes, beans, beef broth, tomato paste, salt, pepper, onion powder and oregano.

Step Five – Stir everything together until well combined.

Step Six – Cover and cook on LOW for 9 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time. Serve and enjoy!

overhead shot of slow cooker hearty italian beef soup.

What to serve with this soup?

  • Serve the beef and bean soup topped with parmesan cheese and French crusty bread for dipping. It also goes great with butter swim biscuits.
  • If you’re looking to add some extra flair, consider topping it with a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of grated cheese.
overhead of slow cooker hearty italian beef soup in a white bowl.

Recipe FAQs

How do I store leftovers?

After allowing the soup to cool, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. For longer storage, freeze the soup in freezer-safe containers.

Can I use a different type of meat?

Absolutely! While this recipe calls for ground beef, you can easily substitute it with ground turkey for a leaner option or Italian sausage or short ribs.

Can I make this on the stovetop?

Yes, you can! Simply follow the same steps but instead of using a slow cooker, simmer the soup in a large pot on the stove for 1-2 hours until the beef is tender and the flavors have melded together.

Can I add more to this beef and bean soup recipe?

Yes. In addition to the hearty beef pieces, diced onion, carrots, and sliced celery, you can add black beans, dried bay leaves, and minced garlic. Play around with the flavors until you find a taste you like.

serving of slow cooker hearty italian beef soup in a bowl.

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overhead shot of slow cooker hearty italian beef soup.

Slow Cooker Beef and Bean Soup

5 from 2 votes
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 9 hours
Total Time: 9 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 10
This slow cooker beef and bean soup has tender beef stew meat, white beans, and veggies in a tomato based broth.

Ingredients 
 

  • 2 lbs. beef stew meat, cubed (can use leftover prime rib, no need to brown).
  • 2 Tbsp. cooking oil
  • ½ cup White Onion, diced
  • 1 cup Carrots, diced
  • 1 cup Celery, diced
  • 29 oz. Italian seasoned diced tomatoes, (two 14.5 oz. cans)
  • 15 oz. great northern beans, drained
  • 30 oz. beef broth, (two 15 oz. cans)
  • 8 oz. can tomato paste
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • ¼ tsp. pepper
  • ¼ tsp. onion powder
  • 1 ½ tsp. dried oregano

for serving

  • french bread
  • parmesan cheese

Instructions 

  • Set a skillet over medium high heat. Add enough cooking oil to coat the bottom of the pan. Brown the stew meat on all sides
  • Add meat to slow cooker.
  • Add the carrots, onion, celery, diced tomatoes, beans, beef broth, tomato paste, salt, pepper, onion powder and oregano, stir.
  • Cover and cook on LOW for 9 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.
  • Serve topped with parmesan cheese and with french bread for dipping.

How to Video

Sarah’s Notes

What other type of meat can I use for this recipe?
  • cooked ground beef
  • cooked Italian sausage
  • short ribs (degrease the soup before serving)
After allowing the soup to cool, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. For longer storage, freeze the soup in freezer-safe containers.

Nutrition

Calories: 125kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 638mg | Potassium: 679mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 2631IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 83mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

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Recipe Rating




31 Comments

  1. Joyce says:

    5 stars
    This was so satisfying AND easy to make.
    It’s now on my “go to” list
    .

  2. Tim K says:

    Can you add noodles or pasta toward the end?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Yes! Though I never recommend adding dried noodles to the slow cooker. They seem to get chalky. You can boil 1 cup of pasta, drain it, then add it to the soup when it’s done.

  3. Lori says:

    5 stars
    Made this last night for dinner. My family loved it! Definitely a keeper.

  4. johanna says:

    Vind het erg moeilijk om uit het recept te komen door de oz zoals gram dl ml l vind ik makkelijker

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      There is a metric conversion button on the recipe card, do those amounts work for you?

  5. Mary Kay Ebersold says:

    At the top it says 8 hours on low but in the instructions it says 9 hours. Probably doesn’t matter, but should be consistent.

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Thank you, I fixed that.