

A warm bowl of Hearty Beef and Vegetable Soup is the kind of comfort food that satisfies on cool nights without derailing a low-carb or keto plan. This version emphasizes low-carb vegetables and rich, slow-simmered beef, delivering deep flavor, good protein, and very modest net carbs. It’s simple to make on the stovetop or in a slow cooker, packs well for leftovers, and is easy to adapt if you want it more or less “hearty.”
Why you’ll love this Beef and vegetable soup
- Keto-friendly and low net carbs (about 4.6 g net carbs per serving).
- Packed with protein and savory beef flavor.
- Uses easy, affordable ingredients and stores well.
- Versatile: skillet, slow cooker, or Instant Pot friendly.
Ingredients (makes about 6 servings)
- 1.5 lb (680 g) beef chuck, cut into 1–1½-inch cubes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped (about 70 g)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 stalks celery, chopped (about 100 g)
- 1 medium zucchini, chopped (about 196 g)
- 1 cup cauliflower florets, chopped (about 100 g)
- 2 cups shredded cabbage (about 150 g)
- 2 cups sliced cremini or white mushrooms (about 150 g)
- 4 cups beef broth (960 ml), low-sodium preferred
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (adds depth; optional for stricter keto)
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp dried thyme (or 1 tbsp fresh)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
Simple stovetop method
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Season beef cubes with salt and pepper. Brown the beef in batches (2–3 minutes per side) so pieces develop a sear. Remove browned beef and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add onion and celery to the pot and sauté until softened, about 4–5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
- Add mushrooms, zucchini, cauliflower, and shredded cabbage; sauté 3–4 minutes to develop flavor.
- Return beef to the pot. Add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaf, and thyme. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer gently for 1–1½ hours, or until beef is tender and flavors have melded. (For a faster method, use an Instant Pot on high pressure for 35–40 minutes, or cook in a slow cooker on low for 6–8 hours.)
- Adjust salt and pepper to taste, discard the bay leaf, and serve hot with chopped parsley.
Tips and variations
- To make it more filling without many carbs, stir in a handful of baby spinach at the end or top with a tablespoon of grated Parmesan.
- If you prefer a tomato base, swap 1 cup beef broth for 1 cup canned diced tomatoes — note this raises carbs.
- For a lower-sodium soup, use homemade bone broth or low-sodium store broth and season yourself.
- To bulk it up for non-keto guests, add 1–2 cups diced potato or peeled carrot (raises carbs).
Storage and reheating
- Refrigerator: Keep in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months (thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating).
- Reheat gently on the stovetop over low-medium heat or microwave in intervals until warmed through.
Nutritional information (approximate per serving — recipe yields ~6 servings)
Note: Nutrition values are approximate and will vary by exact ingredient brands and cuts of beef used. Values below are estimated using common food composition data.
Per serving (approx.)
- Calories: 340 kcal
- Protein: 25 g
- Total fat: 25 g
- Total carbohydrates: 6.6 g
- Dietary fiber: 2.0 g
- Sugar alcohols: 0 g
- Net carbohydrates: 4.6 g
Quick breakdown for keto/low-carb readers
- Total carbs per serving: ~6.6 g
- Fiber per serving: ~2.0 g
- Sugar alcohols: 0 g (none used in this recipe)
- Net carbs per serving (Total carbs − Fiber − Sugar alcohols): ≈ 4.6 g
Why this works for keto
This Beef and vegetable soup focuses on non-starchy vegetables (zucchini, cauliflower, cabbage, mushrooms, celery) and limits higher-carb vegetables like potatoes and carrots. That keeps total carbs low while providing fiber and micronutrients, making each bowl satisfying without a high carb load.
Final notes
Hearty Beef and Vegetable Soup is a flexible, comforting option whether you’re following keto, low-carb, or simply looking for a wholesome meal. The savory beef base and low-net-carb vegetable mix give you a nourishing bowl that fits well into a low-carb lifestyle. If precise macros matter for your plan, plug your exact ingredient brands and weights into a nutrition tracker to get numbers specific to your kitchen.
Enjoy a bowl — and feel free to ask if you want a printable recipe card, slow-cooker version, or a higher-calorie version for meal prep.

