Description
Mock Turtle Soup is a rich and flavorful dish inspired by the traditional English soup made with turtle meat. This version uses accessible ingredients like ground beef or veal, creating a comforting and hearty bowl that doesn’t compromise on taste. Perfect for chilly evenings, this soup is packed with vegetables, spices, and a touch of sherry for added depth.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450g) ground beef or veal
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 medium carrot, peeled and diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 4 cups (1 liter) beef broth
- 1 cup (240ml) water
- 1 cup (240ml) tomato puree
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 2 tablespoons sherry (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Brown the Meat:
In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the ground beef or veal and cook until browned, breaking it into small pieces. Remove the meat from the pot and set aside. - Sauté the Vegetables:
In the same pot, add the onion, celery, carrot, and garlic. Sauté for 5–7 minutes until softened and fragrant. - Create the Base:
Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir well, cooking for 1 minute. Slowly add the beef broth and water while stirring to avoid lumps. - Simmer the Soup:
Add the cooked meat back to the pot, followed by the tomato puree, Worcestershire sauce, ground cloves, nutmeg, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 30 minutes. - Finish the Soup:
Stir in the chopped hard-boiled eggs for a creamy texture. Remove the bay leaf before serving. - Serve:
Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with a lemon slice and a drizzle of sherry for an authentic touch. Serve hot with crusty bread or crackers.
Notes
- For a more authentic flavor, you can add calf’s head or tongue in place of ground beef.
- Adjust the spices to your liking for a more personalized flavor profile.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day and can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: English
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 270 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Keywords: Mock Turtle Soup, Hearty Soup Recipe, Comfort Food Soup, English Soup Recipe, Traditional Mock Turtle Dish