Description

This hearty and flavorful soup combines tender beef, sweet apples, and vibrant carrots for a comforting and unique twist on classic beef soup. It’s the perfect balance of savory and sweet, ideal for cozy days!

Ingredients

For the Soup:

1 lb beef stew meat or ground beef

1 medium onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced

2 apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and chopped

4 slices bacon, chopped

4 cups beef broth (low sodium)

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground ginger

Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional Garnishes:

Fresh parsley, chopped

Crusty bread or crackers

Instructions

Cook the Bacon and Beef:

In a large pot, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the bacon and set aside, leaving some of the rendered bacon fat in the pot.

Sauté the Vegetables and Meat:

Add the beef stew meat or ground beef to the pot, cooking until browned. If using stew meat, make sure to break it into small pieces as it cooks. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until softened, about 3-4 minutes.

Add the Carrots and Apples:

Stir in the sliced carrots and chopped apples, cooking for another 3-4 minutes to let the flavors start to combine.

Build the Soup Base:

Pour in the beef broth and stir in the thyme, cinnamon, ginger, salt, and pepper. Bring the soup to a simmer, then reduce the heat and let it cook for 25-30 minutes, or until the beef is tender and the carrots are cooked through.

Finish the Soup:

Once the soup is ready, taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Stir in the crispy bacon for added texture and flavor.

Serve:

Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve with crusty bread or crackers for a complete, comforting meal.