Soups

Hearty Spiced Beef & Rice Soup with Tomato & Cilantro

★★★★★ 5.0 (94 ratings)
Hearty spiced beef and rice soup with tomato and cilantro, served with toasted bread

Tender beef, rice, tomatoes, walnuts, warm spices, and fresh cilantro come together in a rich soup that's filling enough to serve as a complete meal. This cozy, quick and easy recipe has a savory tomato broth, a subtle tangy finish, and plenty of fresh herbs. Serve it with toasted bread for a comforting dinner that tastes even better the next day.

15 minPrep
55 minCook
1 hr 10 minTotal
6Servings

Instructions

  1. Brown the beef

    Heat olive oil in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the beef in an even layer and cook 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned on all sides.
  2. Build the base

    Add the chopped onion and cook 4–5 minutes until softened and translucent. Stir in the garlic, coriander, smoked paprika, cumin, and cayenne; cook about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the tomato paste and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  3. Simmer

    Pour in the crushed tomatoes and beef broth, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Add the bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a gentle boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 35–45 minutes until the beef is almost tender.
  4. Add rice & walnuts

    Stir in the uncooked rice and chopped walnuts. Simmer uncovered for another 15–18 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender and the soup has thickened slightly.
  5. Finish

    Stir in the pomegranate molasses, lemon juice, cilantro, and parsley. Simmer 2–3 minutes, then taste and adjust salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed. Remove and discard the bay leaf before serving.
Healthy South Life Tip: Cut the beef into small, evenly sized pieces so it becomes tender faster. For a lighter soup, use lean beef and reduce the walnuts to ¼ cup, adding an extra cup of broth for a thinner consistency — the rice keeps absorbing liquid as it rests, so leftovers may need a splash of broth when reheating.
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Serving Suggestions

Serve hot with extra fresh cilantro, chopped parsley, toasted crusty bread, lemon wedges, a small spoonful of plain Greek yogurt, and freshly ground black pepper.

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