Mediterranean Beef & Vegetable Soup with Yogurt

Mediterranean Beef & Vegetable Soup with Yogurt

Description

This hearty Mediterranean soup is warm, rustic, and deeply satisfying. Made with seasoned ground beef, tomatoes, carrots, celery, and aromatic spices, it simmers into a rich, comforting broth. A spoon of creamy yogurt on top adds brightness and balance—very common in Turkish and Eastern Mediterranean kitchens. Perfect for chilly evenings, meal prep, or when you want something nourishing and filling.

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Ingredients (Serves 4–6)

Soup Base

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 medium onion, finely chopped

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 500 g (1 lb) ground beef

• 1 tbsp tomato paste

• 1 tsp paprika

• ½ tsp chili flakes (optional)

• ½ tsp ground cumin

• Salt & black pepper, to taste

Vegetables

• 2 carrots, diced

• 2 celery stalks, chopped

• 1 red bell pepper, diced (optional)

• 1 cup crushed or diced tomatoes

• 6 cups beef broth or water

Finishing

• ¼ cup fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped

• 2–3 tbsp lemon juice (to taste)

For Serving

• Plain yogurt or Greek yogurt

• Chopped green onions

• Extra chili oil or olive oil (optional)

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Instructions

1. Sauté the Aromatics
   Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
   Add onion and cook until soft, about 4 minutes. Stir in garlic.

2. Brown the Beef
   Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon.

3. Build Flavor
   Stir in tomato paste, paprika, cumin, chili flakes, salt, and pepper.
   Cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.

4. Add Vegetables & Liquid
   Add carrots, celery, bell pepper, crushed tomatoes, and broth.
   Bring to a boil, then reduce heat.

5. Simmer
   Cover and simmer for 25–30 minutes until vegetables are tender and flavors deepen.

6. Finish the Soup
   Stir in lemon juice and fresh herbs. Adjust seasoning.

7. Serve
   Ladle into bowls and top with a generous spoon of yogurt and green onions.

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Serving Suggestions

• Crusty bread or pita

• Warm flatbread

• Simple cucumber-tomato salad

• Lemon wedges on the side

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Q & A

Q: Is this soup Mediterranean or Turkish?
A: It’s Mediterranean-inspired with strong Turkish influence—especially the yogurt topping and tomato-based broth.

Q: Can I use beef chunks instead of ground beef?
A: Yes, just simmer longer (45–60 minutes) until tender.

Q: Can I make it spicy?
A: Definitely—add extra chili flakes or drizzle chili oil on top.

Q: Is yogurt traditional in soup?
A: Yes! In many Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines, yogurt adds creaminess and balance.

Q: Can I freeze this soup?
A: Yes—freeze without yogurt. Add fresh yogurt when serving.

Q: Can I make it lighter?
A: Use lean ground beef and less oil, or substitute ground turkey.