Granny's Okra Soup

A delicious beef and vegetable soup that is a variation on the okra and tomato-based soup my great-grandmother used to make on the farm in Alabama. It's great with fresh or canned veggies, works with just about any alterations - I use fresh, locally-grown ingredients and it's always amazing. All ingredient measurements are approximate. The important thing about Granny's okra soup is that the tomato is the main ingredient, but okra, lima beans and potatoes are important too. Adding or subtracting other vegetables to taste or based on availability is perfectly acceptable.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 30 mins
• Total Time: 2 hr
• Calories: 293 Calories

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 pound ground beef
• ½ cup chopped carrots
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed, or more to taste
• 1 cup corn
• ½ tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 cup green beans
• 4 cups chopped tomatoes
• 2 cups chopped okra
• ½ tablespoon onion powder
• 2 cups chopped red potatoes
• 2 cups lima beans
• ½ tablespoon celery salt

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Combine tomatoes, lima beans, okra, potatoes, corn, green beans, carrots, and tomato paste in a large soup pot. Pour chicken stock over mixture and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer until vegetables begin to soften, about 15 minutes.

Step 2

Season ground beef with garlic powder, celery salt, and onion powder. Set aside.

Step 3

Heat butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic when butter stops bubbling; cook and stir for 1 minute. Spread ground beef evenly in the pan. Cook until it has a nice brown sear, stirring minimally to end up with mostly medium-sized chunks, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain skillet and add beef, onions, and garlic to the soup pot.

Step 4

Bring soup mixture to a boil; reduce heat to simmer, cover, and cook until vegetables and beef have cooked down, 1 to 2 hours.