Slow Cooker Italian Vegetable Beef Soup

5 from 2 votes

Slow Cooker Italian Vegetable Beef Soup

Easy vegetable beef soup recipe made in a slow cooker or instant pot is packed with healthy ingredients that works just as well for potlucks and entertaining a crowd.

Prep Time30 mins

Cook Time8 hrs

Total Time8 hrs 30 mins

Course: Soups and Stews

Cuisine: Italian

Servings: servings

Calories: 346kcal

Author: Jami Boys

Equipment

Slow Cooker or Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker

Ingredients

2 cups cooked beans white, red, garbanzo, etc.; canned or frozen
3 carrots diced (or parsnips)
1 onion chopped
1 sweet red bell pepper chopped, fresh or frozen
2 stalks celery sliced
1/4 head red or green cabbage chopped (about 3 cups)
2 14- ounces cans diced tomatoes
3 cloves garlic minced
1½ pounds beef cut in 1/2-in. pieces (or cooked hamburger, pork or chicken)
3 cups beef broth
1/2 cup dry red wine or more broth
2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
3 teaspoons salt or to taste (adjust if using a salty broth)
1 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
2 cups cut green beans frozen or fresh
grated parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions

Place the first nine ingredients, beans through beef, into the bowl of a large slow cooker (or Instant Pot pressure cooker).
Stir together the broth, red wine if using, Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper. Pour over the ingredients in the cooker. Stir well and push the ingredients down into the liquid - if the everything's not covered with liquid, add enough water or broth to cover (do not go over the MAX line if using an Instant pot, though).

Slow Cooker:

Cook on LOW for 7 hours or HIGH for 3½ hours.
Add the green beans and cook for another hour, 8 hours total on LOW, 4½ hours total on HIGH.

Instant Pot:

Lock the lid and set to MANUAL, cooking on high pressure for 20 minutes (Note on timing: it takes about 20 minutes to come up to pressure). Let the steam release naturally, which should take another 10-20 minutes. (Total time will be about an hour.)
Green Bean Note: it would take too much time to add the green beans in, let it come back to pressure and cook for just 2-3 minutes, so I either leave out the green beans or add them in the beginning. Try it and see what you like.
To Serve: Adjust seasonings and sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan.

Notes

Variations: This is really a basic recipe that you can use with different meats and vegetables. I've made this using chopped pork roast and vegetables, as well as ground beef.

Nutrition