Hearty Ground Beef Soup Recipe

Ingredients

- 2 lbs lean ground beef (you can substitute the beef for any ground meat of your choosing..ie;ground pork, chicken etc)
- 2 cups mixed frozen vegetables (Can add more if to your liking..just eyeball it)
- 1 LARGE can diced tomatoes (with the juice)
- 1 Med - Lg white onion, chopped
- 1 cup Pearl Barley
- 3 cups Beef broth
- 3 cups water
-Salt and Pepper to taste
-Sprinkling of chili flakes
-Dash of your favorite hot sauce. (ie; Tabasco)..Optional..I like spice
-Sprinkling of Dried basil
- 1 Bay leaf

First of all. you want to brown the ground beef (or ground meat of your choosing) along with the onion
After you do this, you want to be sure to drain it well..you Do Not want an oily, greasy broth (At least I dont)
I will actually dump the meat into a strainer after browning, and then press the meat with a masher to ensure maximum drainage
Okay, now place the meat and onion mixture back into the pot
Now add the rest of the ingredients into the pot
Bring the soup to a boil, stirring occasionally
Reduce heat and let simmer for a good hour making sure to again stir occasionally and add any salt and/or pepper to your taste
You may also add more beef broth if you desire, or if its needed
Serve it up with some crusty bread and your hunger will be satisfied