1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add beef stew meat and brown on all sides, leaving pieces undisturbed for 2 minutes per side to get proper color.
2. Add diced onion and minced garlic to the pot. Cook until onion is translucent, about 3 minutes, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom.
3. Pour in beef broth and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1 hour.
4. Add sliced celery, sliced carrots, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Simmer uncovered for an additional 30 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.
5. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
6. Serve hot with crusty bread on the side. Enjoy!

Nutrition Information (Per Serving)

• Calories: 220
• Carbohydrates: 10g
• Protein: 20g
• Fat: 11g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sodium: 680mg
• Vitamin A: 60% DV (from carrots)
• Vitamin K: 35% DV (from celery)
• Iron: 15% DV

This beef and celery soup is a lean, protein-rich bowl that’s naturally low in carbohydrates and packed with vitamins from the vegetables.

Notes

• Don’t rush the browning step — those 5 minutes of searing build the flavor base for the entire soup.
• Add the celery and carrots only after the first hour of simmering. Adding them too early causes them to go mushy before the beef is tender.
• Every stove runs a little differently — if the beef isn’t tender at the 1-hour mark, give it another 20-30 minutes before adding the vegetables.

Storage Tips

• Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. The soup tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.
• Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stovetop over low heat.
• Reheat gently with a splash of beef broth if the soup has thickened in the fridge.

Serving Suggestions

• With thick slices of crusty sourdough or a warm dinner roll for dipping
• Topped with a crack of fresh black pepper and a handful of fresh parsley
• Alongside a simple green salad for a complete, balanced meal
• With oyster crackers for a classic, cozy touch

Mix It Up (Recipe Variations)

Beef, Celery, and Potato Soup: Add 2 diced potatoes with the celery and carrots for a heartier, more filling bowl. Herbed Beef and Celery Soup: Add a bay leaf and a teaspoon of dried rosemary alongside the thyme for deeper complexity. Tomato Beef and Celery Soup: Stir in a small can of diced tomatoes with the broth for brightness and balance. Low-Sodium Beef and Celery Soup: Use low-sodium broth and season entirely at the end, finishing with a squeeze of lemon.

What Makes This Recipe Special

This beef and celery soup uses the age-old technique of staging ingredients to get the most from each one — building a rich, deeply flavored broth with the beef and aromatics first, then adding the celery and carrots at just the right moment so they stay perfectly tender without breaking down. It’s the kind of recipe that looks simple on paper but delivers a bowl that tastes like it’s been tended all day — because in its own quiet way, it has.