Beef Goulash Soup
by Hy Vee
A relatively simple soup with whole food ingredients like ground beef, vegetables, and pasta. Main concerns are conventional beef quality and added sugar, but overall ingredient list is clean compared to many processed soups.
- Water – safe · Primary liquid base for the soup, necessary for consistency and cooking.
- Ground Beef – safe · Main protein source providing complete amino acids, though likely conventional grain-fed beef.
- Tomatoes – beneficial · Rich in lycopene and vitamin C, provides antioxidant benefits and natural umami flavor.
- Tomato Juice – beneficial · Concentrated tomato nutrition providing lycopene and natural flavor enhancement.
- Citric Acid – safe · Natural preservative that maintains freshness and enhances flavor, commonly found in citrus fruits.
- Calcium Chloride – safe · Food-grade mineral salt that helps maintain firmness in canned tomatoes, poses no health concerns.
- Tomato Paste – beneficial · Concentrated tomato product that enhances umami flavor and provides concentrated lycopene.
- Pasta – safe · Durum wheat pasta provides carbohydrates for energy, though refined rather than whole grain.
- Durum Wheat Semolina – safe · High-protein wheat variety used for pasta, provides structure and nutrition.
- Iron – beneficial · Essential mineral added for fortification, supports oxygen transport and energy metabolism.
- Ferrous Sulfate – safe · Iron supplement form used in food fortification, well-absorbed iron source.
- Niacin – beneficial · B-vitamin (B3) essential for energy metabolism and nervous system function.
- Thiamin Mononitrate – beneficial · Stable form of vitamin B1, essential for carbohydrate metabolism and nerve function.
- Riboflavin – beneficial · Vitamin B2 essential for energy production and cellular function.
- Folic Acid – beneficial · Synthetic form of folate, essential for DNA synthesis and red blood cell formation.
- Green Pepper – beneficial · Provides vitamin C, fiber, and natural flavor while adding nutritional density.
- Onion – beneficial · Rich in antioxidants and prebiotic compounds that support gut health and provide natural flavor.
- Salt – safe · Essential mineral for flavor enhancement, though intake should be monitored for blood pressure.
- Sugar – controversial · Added refined sugar for flavor balance, contributes empty calories and blood sugar impact.
- Black Pepper – beneficial · Natural spice with antioxidant properties and potential anti-inflammatory benefits.
- Soy Lecithin – safe · Emulsifier derived from soybeans, generally recognized as safe though may be GMO-derived.
Real beef protein
Lycopene-rich tomatoes
Simple ingredient list
No artificial preservatives
Vegetable content
Conventional beef quality
Added sugar
Refined pasta
Potential GMO soy lecithin
Medium sodium content
About This Analysis
This ingredient analysis for Beef Goulash Soup was performed by Truelabel, an AI-powered food scanner that grades products from A (excellent) to F (failing) based on ingredient quality. The analysis covers seed oil content, ultra-processed ingredients, preservatives, artificial colors, allergens, and potential health risks including cancer risk, hormonal disruption, and gut irritation scores.
Category: Soup