Name: Hamburger Soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 pound lean ground beef; 1 onion diced; 2 cloves garlic minced; 2 medium potatoes peeled and diced; 3 ½ cups beef broth; 28 ounces diced tomatoes with juice; 1 can condensed tomato soup; 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce; 1 bay leaf; salt and pepper to taste; 3 cups mixed vegetables fresh or frozen

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This Hamburger Soup Recipe is a quick and easy meal filled with flavor in a soul-warming bowl full of ground beef, potatoes, and veggies.

Hamburgers are pretty much the quintessential American food, aren’t they? When you imagine barbeques and ballgames and festivals, burgers are usually part of the fare. This easy hamburger soup recipe takes your favorite flavors and combines them in a soul-warming bowl for a quick and easy weeknight dinner!

HAMBURGER SOUP

I love soups any time of year, but they are especially comforting in those cooler months. When we’ve had a busy day of school and activities, a bowl of soup with your favorite ingredients can be a simple, filling meal. And luckily, everyone seems to love burgers!

This hamburger soup is loaded with vegetables uses many staples from around your kitchen like ground beef, fresh garlic, onions, potatoes, tomatoes, fresh or frozen veggies, and savory seasonings.

INGREDIENTS

ground beef – a lean ground beef that is 92% lean (8% fat) is recommended. Although you drain off any fat after cooking, you’ll get more value by starting with a leaner cut to begin with.

onion – the onion should be diced so it’s the perfect size for soup. If you cry while chopping onions, try placing the onion in the freezer for about 20 minutes before chopping.

garlic – I recommend freshly mincing your garlic for more flavor, but you can use the jarred minced garlic. Be careful it’s fresh and the oil doesn’t cause an “off” flavor

red potatoes – red potatoes hold up better in soups

broth – a beef broth enhances the ground beef flavor, but a vegetable broth would also be delicious

diced tomatoes – canned diced tomatoes are convenient for this recipe

condensed tomato soup – to get the most soup out of the can, shake it well and open it from the bottom

Worcestershire sauce – if you don’t have any Worcestershire sauce on hand, you can make a substitute with soy sauce, white wine vinegar, and ketchup!

bay leaf – bay leaves add another layer of flavor to a dish the longer they simmer

mixed chopped vegetables – frozen mixed vegetables are perfect if you are making hamburger soup with vegetables. Our favorite combination is corn, carrots, and string beans!

salt

pepper

HOW TO MAKE EASY HAMBURGER SOUP

PREPARE

It’s easy if you have all of your ingredients washed, chopped, and prepared before you start cooking. You can enlist your children to help if they have kid-safe peelers or knives.

2. COOK

In a soup pot, brown the meat until no pink remains. It’s not necessary to add any butter or oil to the pan since the meat already contains fat to keep it from sticking. Drain off any fat.

Saute the garlic and onions until soft and translucent, stirring frequently, about 5 to 7 minutes. They will lose their sharp onion flavor and start to sweeten. Be careful not to let the garlic burn.

Return the meat to the pan.

Add the potatoes, broth, diced tomatoes, broth, tomato soup, and seasonings.

3. SIMMER

Cover and simmer on low heat for about 10 minutes.

Add the mixed vegetables to the pot. Simmer an additional 15 – 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.

4. SERVE

This soup with hamburger meat is best enjoyed hot. It’s perfect sprinkled with cheddar cheese and served with a simple salad and crusty bread.

a spoonful of hamburger soup with bowl of hamburger soup served in a white bowl in the background

TIPS OR VARIATIONS

You can get creative with add-ins for this soup – just like making up your perfect burger! If you have an abundance of fresh vegetables in your garden, feel free to include your choice of zucchini, fresh carrots, celery, beans, cabbage, or spinach! Be sure to add more water or broth if needed so it remains the right consistency.

You can also substitute rice or pasta for potatoes. Since they will be simmering in the liquid, there is no need to pre-cook the rice or pasta. In fact, it may make them mushy instead of an al dente texture.

FAQ

Can I make this hamburger soup recipe in a crock pot?

Yes! Saute the ground beef, onion, and garlic as directed above. Then add in your remaining ingredients to your slow cooker and cook on LOW for 5 to 6 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours.

Can I freeze hamburger soup?

You can freeze the soup after it is cooled. Use an airtight freezer-safe bag and be sure to squeeze out any excess air. It can be stored for up to 3 months. Be aware the texture of the potatoes might change after being frozen, however.