The Best Sides to Pair with Hearty Vegetable Beef Soup

Vegetable beef soup makes for a warm, comforting meal on a chilly day. This chunky soup is packed with tender beef, potatoes, carrots, peas and more simmered in a savory tomato broth. But what should you serve alongside this hearty one-pot soup to make it a complete dinner?

Here are 18 delicious side dish ideas to complement vegetable beef soup perfectly.

Bread for Dunking

Warm, crusty bread is one of the best accompaniments for sopping up every last bit of beefy vegetable soup. Here are some excellent bread side options:

• Baguette slices – The classic French bread with a crispy crust and fluffy interior is perfect for dunking in soup.

• Cheesy pull-apart bread – Make your own soft, pillowy bread layered with melted cheese. The richness pairs nicely.

• Dinner rolls – Light and fluffy homemade rolls are ideal for enjoying with the soup.

• Focaccia – This Italian flatbread has a hearty texture and absorbs soup beautifully.

• Cornbread – Southern-style cornbread with a moist crumb soaks up soup deliciously.

• Crackers – Whole wheat crackers provide a crispy, salty crunch contrast.

Healthy Rice and Grain Dishes

Rice or whole grains make nutritious additions to complement vegetable beef soup. Try these tasty options:

• Brown rice – Nutty, fiber-rich brown rice is a classic. Toss in some fresh herbs.

• Quinoa – Protein-packed quinoa brings more texture and nutrition.

• Barley – Chewy, hearty barley is perfect in the winter.

• Polenta – Slice grilled or baked polenta and drizzle with olive oil.

• Spelt berries – Cooked hulled whole spelt berries have a lovely chewy bite.

• Farro – Nutty farro grains pair nicely with the vegetables in the soup.

Bright Salad Sides

Crunchy, fresh salads balance the hot soup beautifully. Some great salad sides include:

• Green salad with vinaigrette and pumpkin seeds

• Kale salad with lemon and Parmesan

• Caprese salad with tomato, mozzarella and basil

• Wedge salad with blue cheese dressing and bacon

• Greek salad with feta, olives, tomato and cucumber

• Arugula salad with shaved Parmesan and balsamic dressing

Warm Vegetables and More

Round out the meal with more hearty vegetables and sides like:

• Garlic mashed potatoes

• Roasted Brussels sprouts

• Glazed carrots

• Sautéed spinach with garlic and lemon

• Baked beans – Kidney or pinto beans

• Pasta salad – Fusilli with veggies and Italian dressing

• Warm naan – For dipping in the soup

What to Drink with Vegetable Beef Soup

Wash down the soup with a tasty beverage pairing. Some excellent options include:

• Iced tea – Unsweetened or lightly sweetened

• Lemonade – Homemade or store-bought

• Arnold Palmer – Half iced tea, half lemonade

• Hot tea – Chamomile, mint, or green tea

• Coffee – Regular or decaf

• Red wine – Such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon

• Beer – Lager, pale ale, amber ale

Full Side Dish Recipes to Serve with Vegetable Beef Soup

Here are some favorite recipes for delicious side dishes that pair wonderfully with vegetable beef soup:

Cheesy Pull-Apart Bread

Serves: 8

• 1 loaf round sourdough bread
• 3 tbsp butter, softened
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1⁄2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Cut bread loaf into 1-inch slices taking care not to cut all the way through.
2. Mix together butter and garlic. Spread mixture evenly between slices.
3. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese and parsley between slices.
4. Wrap loaf in aluminum foil and place directly on oven rack. Bake 30 minutes until cheese is melted.
5. Remove foil and bake another 5 minutes until golden brown.
6. Pull apart bread and serve immediately while warm.

Greek Salad

Serves: 4

• 5 oz mixed salad greens
• 1 cucumber, sliced
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1⁄2 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1⁄2 cup kalamata olives, pitted
• 4 oz feta cheese, crumbled
• 1⁄4 cup olive oil
• 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1⁄4 tsp salt
• 1⁄4 tsp pepper

1. In a large bowl, combine the salad greens, cucumber, tomatoes, onion and olives.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, oregano, salt and pepper.
3. Add feta cheese to the vegetables. Drizzle with the dressing right before serving. Toss to coat evenly.

Chewy Spelt Berry Pilaf

Serves: 4

• 1 cup uncooked spelt berries
• 2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1⁄4 cup parsley, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

1. Rinse spelt berries in a mesh strainer. In a saucepan, bring broth to a boil. Add spelt berries, cover, and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer 40 minutes until tender but still chewy. Drain excess liquid.
2. Meanwhile, in another skillet heat olive oil over medium heat. Cook onion 5 minutes until softened.
3. Add cooked spelt berries, tomatoes, and parsley to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Let pilaf heat through 1-2 minutes and serve.

Green Salad with Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette

Serves: 6

For the salad:

• 8 cups mixed salad greens
• 1⁄4 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1⁄2 cup dried cranberries
• 1⁄2 cup pumpkin seeds

For the vinaigrette:

• 1⁄4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• 1⁄4 tsp salt
• pinch of pepper

1. Whisk together all vinaigrette ingredients.
2. In a large bowl, toss the salad greens, onions and cranberries.
3. Drizzle desired amount of vinaigrette over the salad. Add pumpkin seeds on top.
4. Serve immediately.

The Best Vegetable Beef Soup Recipe

Here is an easy recipe to make the hearty vegetable beef soup to serve with sides:

Ingredients:

• 1 lb beef stew meat
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 stalks celery, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 28 oz can diced tomatoes
• 1 1⁄2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 bay leaf
• 4 cups beef broth
• 2 medium Russet potatoes, diced
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 3⁄4 cup frozen green beans
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in large pot over medium-high heat. Season beef with salt and pepper. Brown beef in batches. Set aside.
2. Add onion, carrots and celery to pot. Cook 5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
3. Return beef to pot. Add tomatoes, Italian seasoning, bay leaf and beef broth. Simmer 1 hour until beef is very tender.
4. Add potatoes and simmer 20 minutes more until potatoes are tender.
5. Stir in frozen peas, corn and green beans. Cook 5 minutes until heated through.
6. Remove bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve hearty vegetable beef soup with your favorite sides for a comforting and complete meal. Enjoy!