Our 38 Top-Rated Recipes for Stews and Soups to Warm Your Belly (2024)

There's just something about good soup recipes that can lift your spirit and comfort your soul, and these are our highest-rated soup recipes ever. Our best soup recipes are filled with good-for-you veggies, fresh fish, hearty beef, and more. Load them up with ingredients you have on hand, or try out some of our favorite creative soups with delicious ingredients like red miso or smoky Cajun-seasoning. And don't stress if you're short on time—we have plenty of quick soup recipes that will help you get dinner on the table fast.

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Baked Potato Soup

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Our 38 Top-Rated Recipes for Stews and Soups to Warm Your Belly (1)

As one of our go-to orders when dining out, we love that we can whip up this creamy potato soup at home whenever the craving strikes. Plus, we can make it as "loaded" as we want with our favorite toppings, such as more cheese, bacon, sour cream, and/or green onion.

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Tuscan Tortellini Soup

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Our 38 Top-Rated Recipes for Stews and Soups to Warm Your Belly (2)

Simmer the broth and veggies low and slow, then add the tortellini, kale, and a splash of cream before serving. This Italian-inspired soup tastes way more complicated than it is to prepare. The best news: You can enjoy a big bowl of this hearty soup for less than 300 calories.

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Old-Fashioned Chicken Noodle Soup

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Our 38 Top-Rated Recipes for Stews and Soups to Warm Your Belly (3)

It's hard to beat a classic. And our chicken noodle soup recipe is as classic as can be. Put leftover chicken (or turkey) to delicious use as a shortcut ingredient in this home cooked soup recipe that you'll make again and again. Or follow our directions for cooking the chicken to create the most flavorful broth.

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Egg Drop Soup

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Our 38 Top-Rated Recipes for Stews and Soups to Warm Your Belly (4)

This healthy version of a take-out classic uses low-sodium chicken (or vegetable) broth as its base. Just two eggs provide the perfect amount of texture and protein for this easy egg drop soup recipe, which comes together in just 25 minutes. Fried wonton strips are optional.

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Minestrone

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Our 38 Top-Rated Recipes for Stews and Soups to Warm Your Belly (5)

This tasty minestrone is a warm dinner for a chilly winter night. It has garbanzo beans, fresh spinach, bell peppers, and rigatoni pasta. Swap the garbanzo beans out with browned Italian sausage or shredded chicken for a heartier option.

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Cajun-Seasoned Vegetarian Gumbo

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Our 38 Top-Rated Recipes for Stews and Soups to Warm Your Belly (6)

This healthy gumbo recipe may not have any shrimp or andouille sausage, but it does have a ton of flavor. Silky black beans and tender okra bulk up this nourishing stew while it simmers with Cajun-spiced peppers and fire-roasted tomatoes. Add the ingredients to a slow cooker for a fuss-free meal, and serve it alongside a steaming scoop of brown rice.

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Spring Lamb and Fava Bean Soup

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Our 38 Top-Rated Recipes for Stews and Soups to Warm Your Belly (7)

Low in fat yet full of flavor, this Mediterranean soup stands out from the slow cooker competition with unique ingredient additions like lamb, fava beans, barley, and piles of fresh herbs. We offer instructions for making your own beef broth, but store-bought would also work well here.

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Tuscan Bean Soup

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Our 38 Top-Rated Recipes for Stews and Soups to Warm Your Belly (8)

Not all quick soup recipes are as satisfying as this bowl. Baby carrots, onions, beans, and baby spinach add heartiness to a soup that takes just 20 minutes to make. Freeze a batch of this bean soup to enjoy all season long.

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Chicken Tortilla Soup

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Our 38 Top-Rated Recipes for Stews and Soups to Warm Your Belly (9)

The crisp bite of tortillas atop spicy chicken soup has made this one of our favorite soup recipes. It also doesn't hurt that there are only five ingredients and 15 minutes of prep time involved in this chicken tortilla soup. Top the bowls with a bit of shredded cheese or some authentic grated queso cotija.

Fast Pho

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Our 38 Top-Rated Recipes for Stews and Soups to Warm Your Belly (10)

You'll be blown away by how complex this Vietnamese soup tastes after just 30 minutes of total prep and cook time. The keys to our fast pho recipe? Starting with cooked chicken, pork, or shrimp and loading the broth with flavor-boosters like ginger, star anise, and fresh herbs.

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Easy Taco Soup

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Our 38 Top-Rated Recipes for Stews and Soups to Warm Your Belly (11)

All the flavors of your favorite taco recipes are found in this one-pot soup. Add all the ingredients to a slow cooker, set the timer for six hours, and sit back as this taco soup takes form. Top with shredded cheese or a dollop of crema Mexicana. Taco night has never been so simple.

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Mediterranean Kale and Cannellini Stew with Farro

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Our 38 Top-Rated Recipes for Stews and Soups to Warm Your Belly (12)

This whole-grain veggie soup eats like a meal, even without any meat. A can of beans and a cup of farro crank up the satisfaction factor so you can add this to your list of favorite hearty soup recipes.

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Miso Soup with Pork and Edamame

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Our 38 Top-Rated Recipes for Stews and Soups to Warm Your Belly (13)

Red miso is the secret powerhouse behind this 30-minute miso soup recipe. Fresh ginger and garlic add a bold boost of flavor to the complex broth while tenderizing the pork to perfection. The result is a healthy, chunky soup with bursts of umami that will brighten even the dreariest day.

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Sausage and White Bean Stew with Kale

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This sausage-bean stew is a meal prepper's dream. It tastes incredible after just 45 minutes of cooking time. Still, it gets even better reheated after spending up to two days in the refrigerator. Mix up a big batch of this easy stew recipe on Sunday to enjoy for dinner early in the week.

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Chunky Vegetable-Lentil Soup

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Our 38 Top-Rated Recipes for Stews and Soups to Warm Your Belly (15)

This light and satisfying lentil soup has a mix of hearty winter vegetables, such as mushrooms, carrots, celery, and napa cabbage. Dry green lentils add texture and protein to the veggie-based broth. Unlike some broth-based dishes, this healthy soup recipe is low in sodium.

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Butternut Squash Soup with Ravioli

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Our 38 Top-Rated Recipes for Stews and Soups to Warm Your Belly (16)

This quick soup recipe is almost too gorgeous to eat. This pretty dish is fast and easy to make—it requires only six ingredients and is ready and on the table in 30 minutes.

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Tomato-Tortellini Soup

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There are only four ingredients in this creamy soup recipe, and this entire meal can be on the table in less than 15 minutes from opening the first can. Simply bring the broth to a boil, add the tortellini, and lower the heat to a simmer while whisking in the cream cheese and canned tomato soup.

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Pork and Black Bean Soup

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Our 38 Top-Rated Recipes for Stews and Soups to Warm Your Belly (18)

Who needs a spoon when you can scoop up soup with tortilla chips instead? That's our preferred way to eat this pork and bean slow cooker soup. Let this hearty soup recipe transport you south of the border via salsa, cumin, and cilantro.

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Broccoli-Cheese Soup

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When it comes to broccoli soup recipes, broccoli cheese soup is always the winner. The simple combination of broccoli and smooth, melty American cheese creates an irresistible and easy soup recipe. Bread bowls are optional but add a fun touch to a cozy meal.

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Curry Pumpkin Soup

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Our 38 Top-Rated Recipes for Stews and Soups to Warm Your Belly (20)

Using canned pumpkin makes this soup quick to prepare. Pumpkin pie spice and a hint of curry give the dish bright seasonal flavor. You can make this healthy soup recipe even more delicious with an orange-cranberry topper. Start sprinkling!

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Beefy French Onion Soup

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Our 38 Top-Rated Recipes for Stews and Soups to Warm Your Belly (21)

Make French onion soup into a meal by adding slices of sirloin steak, plenty of meaty mushrooms, and a handful of egg noodles. A tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce and (optional) dry white wine bring out the cooked onions and tender beef flavors. This caramelized onion soup is still topped with a cheesy toast for a traditional touch.

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Spicy Chicken-Corn Chowder

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This yummy soup recipe might take an hour to prepare, but it's well worth the wait. Bacon, chicken, potatoes, peppers, and onion combine in this creamy chowder recipe. Add a dash of cayenne pepper or leave a few seeds in your chopped jalapeño for an extra kick.

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Pumpkin, Barley, and Sage Soup

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Pumpkin soup recipes make some of our favorite autumn dinners. Especially this filling version made with canned pumpkin. Simmer andouille sausage in a broth flavored with pumpkin, maple syrup, and apple cider for a quick, flavorful dinner.

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Green Chile Pork Stew

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Soup or stew recipes can warm even the coldest of cold nights. This hearty stew, featuring pork tenderloin, yellow carrots, spinach, and white beans, makes a warming dinner no matter the temp.

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French Chicken Stew

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This twist on a traditional French stew comes together in a slow cooker with less than 30 minutes of prep time. Save time by using canned tomatoes and jarred tomato pasta sauce, but don't skimp on the fresh green beans, mushrooms, carrots, and onions. The vegetables add an essential layer to this aromatic and easy chicken stew recipe.

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Pork and Sweet Potato Stew

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Our 38 Top-Rated Recipes for Stews and Soups to Warm Your Belly (26)

Our favorite easy stew recipes come together quickly but taste like they've been simmering all day. Nutmeg, sage, and apple-cranberry juice flavor this hearty, good-for-you stew recipe. Serve it on a chilly night to warm you up.

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Chicken-Butternut Squash Soup

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Our 38 Top-Rated Recipes for Stews and Soups to Warm Your Belly (27)

Golden butternut squash roasted with onions and curry powder transports your taste buds to the wild side of chili. It gives an upgrade to ordinary chicken soup recipes. Chickpeas, dried apricots, and nutmeg-spiced walnuts add texture. Just before serving, stir in chunks of tender rotisserie chicken.

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Sweet Potato and Hominy Stew

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Inspired by the traditional Mexican soup posole, this zesty meal is an easy stew recipe to make during the week. Refrigerated shredded barbecue pork cuts down on prep time, so it's ready in less than an hour.

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Butternut Squash and Carrot Soup

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Wondering what to do with the season's fresh butternut squash? First, peel and dice it, then add it to this squash-and-carrot pureed soup. Then add toasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas) to this quick soup recipe as a crunchy finish.

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Skillet Beef Stew

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If comfort food is what you're craving, you can't go wrong with beef stew. Chase the chill away with this down-home favorite—beef and vegetables served over simple-to-make mashed potatoes.

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Thai-Inspired Butternut Squash Soup with Gremolata

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Our 38 Top-Rated Recipes for Stews and Soups to Warm Your Belly (31)

Slow cooker soup recipes are our favorites for chilly days. We combine coconut milk, fish sauce, fresh butternut squash, onions, brown sugar, and Asian chili sauce for this recipe and let the flavors develop over time. A Thai-inspired topping of fresh basil, peanuts, and lime peel adds crunch to this creamy butternut squash soup.

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Cabbage Roll Soup

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Our 38 Top-Rated Recipes for Stews and Soups to Warm Your Belly (32)

Inspired by Hungarian cabbage rolls, this beef, rice, and vegetable soup is a meal in a bowl. A dash of allspice seasons the entire pot of cabbage soup with the classic flavors of fall. Set your slow cooker to low in the morning, add the ingredients, and look forward to coming home to a cozy meal come suppertime.

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Sage Chicken Dumpling Soup

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Turned into a thick chicken soup recipe with olives and mushrooms, this fall favorite is a bit more modern than Grandma's dumpling recipe. Sage adds a modern touch to this updated version of classic chicken and dumplings. Our savory stove-top biscuits keep it classic.

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Matzo Ball Soup

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Our 38 Top-Rated Recipes for Stews and Soups to Warm Your Belly (34)

Matzo balls are the ultimate soup dumplings, and our recipe takes them to the next level. Sweet caramelized onions stir right into the matzo mix for flavorful dumplings everyone will love. A bit of club soda makes the texture light—a nice contrast to the savory, rib-sticking shredded chicken pieces in this matzo ball soup recipe.

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Classic Oyster Stew

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The ideal oyster stew has a slightly thick broth and complex flavors from plump, tender oysters and simple seasonings. This easy stew recipe also offers a fast prep—it's done in just 25 minutes.

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Curried Butternut Squash Soup

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Our 38 Top-Rated Recipes for Stews and Soups to Warm Your Belly (36)

Winter soups and stews are all about toasty warm bowls and celebrating in-season squash, and this recipe is no different. Curry powder, ginger, and fresh cilantro make this creamy squash soup delicious and flavorful.

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Seafood Stew

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Shrimp and whitefish add the seafood, while potatoes and cream add the comfort. Simply toss everything into a Dutch oven in phases—depending on how long the ingredient needs to cook—and your one-pot dinner will be ready before you know it.

Buy It: Lodge Dutch Oven ($70, Target)

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Split Pea Soup

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Our 38 Top-Rated Recipes for Stews and Soups to Warm Your Belly (38)

The name doesn't do this split pea soup justice. Our version of this simple soup is loaded with toothsome carrots, satisfying chunks of ham, chopped celery and onions, and tons of dried spices. This soup freezes well, so we'd recommend making a double batch to enjoy some now and freeze some for later.

Our 38 Top-Rated Recipes for Stews and Soups to Warm Your Belly (2024)

FAQs

What not to put in a stew? ›

But the liquid itself should not be thick in the same way that gravy is thick. So skip the roux, and don't bother dusting the meat with flour or cornstarch before browning, either, as some recipes will suggest. That will just interfere with getting a good sear on the meat, and gum up the stew with unneeded starch.

What is the secret to good beef stew? ›

The best beef stews are made with the right cut of meat, like chuck roast, brisket or round. Leaner cuts (which are good for the grill) lack the connective tissue that turns into gelatin as it cooks. That keeps the meat juicy and tender while also thicken and enriching the stew.

What can I add to my stew to make it taste better? ›

19. It is a good idea to always taste the stew before serving. Adding a bit of sauce, some herbs, some seasoning or even brown sugar or honey can just lift the taste. I had a friend who swore by putting a spoonful of peanut butter in her stews to flavour and thicken them.

What are the best vegetables to put in beef stew? ›

Vegetables that work well in a beef stew include Hardroots vegetable, carrots, potatoes, onions, celery, and parsnips. These vegetables add flavor and texture to the stew while complementing the richness of the beef. You can also consider adding mushrooms, turnips, or peas for variety.

What makes beef stew unhealthy? ›

Most stews use a beef broth for the base. Many of the versions purchased from store shelves are filled with sodium and add way more salt than your body needs. Go with a low-sodium option that won't be as harmful to your heart.

Does meat get more tender the longer you cook it in a stew? ›

Not cooking the stew long enough.

Chuck meat is your best bet for beef stew, but it's also a pretty tough cut so it needs time to break down and become tender. Rush the cooking process and the beef will be tough and chewy. Follow this tip: For really tender meat, cook the stew low and slow, for approximately two hours.

What can I add to my beef stew to give it more flavor? ›

There are flavors in tomatoes that are alcohol-soluble, so adding red wine along with tomato paste also helps to enhance beef stew." Laurence has a few other tricks I've borrowed to create the best beef stew, including adding Worcestershire, which gets a serious umami punch from anchovies.

Why do you put vinegar in beef stew? ›

Add vinegar when putting the meat in the pot after browning (Maillard reaction). Add spices at this time. Tough stew meat will take a couple of hours to get tender, and the vinegar helps this happen as well as add special flavor.

Why put vinegar in stews? ›

Vinegar can add depth of flavour to soups, sauces, and stews. Especially great for tomato-based recipes, you can add a couple of tablespoons of vinegar towards the end of the cooking process to amplify the flavours of your other ingredients.

Why put tomato paste in beef stew? ›

Tomato paste is an umami flavor tone to help build on the beef flavor of your stew. If you don't have any, look for another umami flavor to build body. Fish sauce, Worcestershire sauce and miso are all good alternatives, used sparingly.

Why add milk to stew? ›

People add milk to soups for several reasons: To add creaminess: Milk can add a creamy texture to soups, making them feel more luxurious and comforting. To balance flavors: Milk can help to tone down the acidity in soups, making them more palatable.

How do you fix a tasteless stew? ›

5 ways to fix a bland recipe
  1. Salt.
  2. Acid.
  3. Chile peppers.
  4. Sugar.
  5. Fresh herbs.
Mar 6, 2023

What is the most flavorful meat for stew? ›

The best cuts of stew meat are lean with a high concentration of collagen-rich connective tissues—such as chuck or shoulder cuts—that also have some fat marbling for flavor. Lean cuts of meat come from parts of the animal that have lots of muscle, like the legs.

Which potato is best for beef stew? ›

The best potatoes for beef stew are those that hold their shape and texture well during cooking, providing a creamy yet sturdy addition to the dish. Yukon Golds have a creamy texture and slightly waxy consistency that holds up well in stews without becoming overly mushy. They add a nice richness to the stew.

What are the best potatoes for stew? ›

ANSWER: Waxy potatoes or those called boiling potatoes stand up well in soups and stews. These have thin skin and are high in moisture and low in starch. Potatoes that are low-starch and high-moisture hold together better. Yukon Gold potatoes are on the medium-starch side and will hold their shape in soups.

What are the basic rules of stewing? ›

How to cook a basic stew
  • Chop the ingredients. Cutting the meat and/or main vegetables to roughly the same size will help them to cook evenly.
  • Fry your base ingredients. ...
  • Add the remaining ingredients. ...
  • Add your liquid of choice. ...
  • Let it simmer. ...
  • Season to taste.
Nov 15, 2018

What is the rule for stewing? ›

Low heat is suggested for all stews, never a hard boil. Placing a lid, slightly ajar on the pot traps the escaping steam and allows it to condense and fall back onto the stew. You can also cook stews in a 350°F oven or on low in a slow cooker.

When should celery be added to stew? ›

Once the meat is tender - but not falling apart, add the potatoes, celery, carrots and butternut squash. Pour over another 2 cups of beef broth and enough water to cover the vegetables. Raise heat and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer partially covered for about 30 minutes - until the vegetables are tender.

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