This Hamburger Soup is filled with rich ground beef, hearty potatoes, and nourishing vegetables. Each bite warms you from the inside out! Finish it all off with an optional dollop of sour cream for a meal that everyone will leave everyone asking for seconds.
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Why you’ll love this recipe
- Pantry staple ingredients: Most of the ingredients you need for this hamburger soup are probably already in your kitchen.
- Kid-friendly: Even your little ones will love the savory, meaty flavors of this soup.
- Quick & easy: In just 40 minutes, you’ll have a wholesome dish ready to serve.
Hearty hamburger soup
Whenever I’m in the mood for something filling, warming, and satisfying, this hamburger soup is always at the top of my list — along with my creamy lasagna soup! Seriously, who needs a hamburger when you can enjoy it in a unique, deconstructed way?
Each bite is bursting with tender browned beef that’s high in protein and sure to keep you full into the night. But, the best part about this soup is just how easy it is to make! Sauté the veggies, brown the beef, add the broth, potatoes, and seasonings, and simmer it to perfection.
Hamburger soup makes a great standalone meal, but I like to serve mine alongside crusty bread, a side salad, or sautéed veggies. Feel free to make a double batch and keep the leftovers in the fridge or freezer for quick weeknight meals!
Ingredients & substitutions
- Olive oil: To sauté the veggies and add richness. Olive oil can be substituted with other vegetable oils like avocado or canola.
- Onion: Brings a savory yet subtly sweet element. Try shallots for a milder flavor.
- Carrot: Adds a sweet earthiness and texture. No carrots on hand? Use parsnips, squash, or more jicama.
- Celery: For crunch and freshness. You can also replace it with bell peppers if you prefer.
- Garlic: Adds depth and aroma. Garlic powder can be used in a pinch.
- Lean ground beef: I usually use 85/15 ground beef for this recipe. If you prefer, you can use 90/10 for an even leaner flavor. Ground turkey or chicken will work too.
- Tomato paste: Creates a thicker texture and adds a tangy, umami-rich taste. If you don’t have tomato paste, use a can of crushed tomatoes instead.
- Petite diced tomatoes: For added texture and a juicy, vibrant flavor. Freshly diced tomatoes can be used if you want, but make sure they are extra ripe.
- Beef broth: Enhances the hearty, meaty flavor. Both homemade or store-bought beef broth or stock work. Alternatively, vegetable or chicken broth can be used.
- Russet potatoes: I prefer the soft texture of Russet potatoes for this hamburger soup, but you can add Yukon Gold potatoes if you want them to hold their shape more.
- Italian seasoning: Brings a fresh, herbaceous flavor to the soup. If you don’t have Italian seasoning, just use a simple mix of basil, oregano, and thyme.
How to make hamburger soup
- Start with the mirepoix: Heat a heavy-bottomed pot and sauté the onions, carrots, and celery in olive oil until they’re soft and aromatic. This creates an incredibly flavorful soup.
- Add the beef: Add the garlic and beef, then cook until the beef is perfectly browned. If you see any fat from the beef, feel free to drain some or pat it with a paper towel.
- Simmer the soup: Stir in the tomato paste, diced tomatoes, beef broth, potatoes, and seasonings. Turn the heat up and bring the soup to a boil, then simmer it over medium-low until the potatoes are tender.
- Add the final touches: Once the potatoes are tender, add a dollop of sour cream for creaminess, then enjoy your hamburger soup!
Serving suggestions
If you’re looking for something to serve alongside your hamburger soup, these are some of my favorite options:
- Salad: A light, crisp salad contrasts the soup’s heartiness. Try a tomato and onion salad or raw carrot salad to see what you prefer.
- Bread: Whether it’s Spanish tomato bread, garlic bread, or pizza dough focaccia, any of these will help you soak up every last bit of broth.
- Roasted vegetables: For an added serving of veggies, you can try roasted zucchini, carrots, or even bell peppers.
Frequently asked questions
No, this hamburger soup recipe is not spicy. However, you can add red pepper flakes or your favorite hot sauce if you want some heat.
Yes, this hamburger soup recipe is gluten-free as written, but always double-check the labels of each individual ingredient to be sure.
Yes, you can make hamburger soup in a slow cooker. Just brown the beef first, then slow cook everything for 3-4 hours on high.
Storage & reheating
You can store this hamburger soup and enjoy it later with these simple tips:
- Fridge: Once your soup has cooled, store it in a sealed container for up to 4-5 days.
- Freezer: You can store hamburger soup in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just keep it in an airtight container or freezer-safe jars.
- Reheating: Thaw the soup in the fridge overnight, then heat it on the stovetop over low-medium until warm. You can add a touch more broth if it’s thickened too much.
Variations
- Veggies: Add more veggies like bell peppers, corn, and peas.
- Extra Italian: Add diced zucchini and replace ground beef with Italian sausage.
- Creamy: Stir in a splash of heavy cream at the end for an ultra-rich soup.
- All chicken: Use ground chicken and chicken broth for a leaner version.
Top tips
- Browning the beef: Ensure the beef is thoroughly browned for maximum flavor.
- Small potatoes: Remember to cube the potatoes evenly so they cook consistently.
- Let the mirepoix cook: Ensure carrots, onions, and celery are fully softened and aromatic before adding the ground beef.
- Drain the fat: If you’re using fattier beef, drain excess fat to prevent the soup from turning out too heavy and greasy.
Looking for more soup recipes?
If you enjoyed this hamburger soup recipe, be sure to check out some more comforting soups like these:
- Instant Pot Cheeseburger Soup
- Chipotle Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup
- Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup
- Chicken and Dumplings Soup
If you try this Hamburger Soup, let me know what you think! Rate and review this recipe in the comments below. Don’t forget to take a picture and tag me on Instagram @lenaskitchenblog!
Hearty Hamburger Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ medium onion finely chopped
- 1 large carrot finely chopped
- 2 stalks celery chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 pound lean ground beef 85% lean
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 28 ounce can petite diced tomatoes
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 large Russet potatoes peeled & diced
- ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt more to taste
Instructions
- Heat a large heavy bottomed soup pot to medium heat. Add the olive oil, onion, carrots and celery. Season with ¼ teaspoon of salt. Cook over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes, or until softened.
- Turn the heat to medium-high. Add in the garlic, beef and remaining ½ teaspoon of salt. Cook until the beef has browned, stirring occasionally, for about 3-5 minutes. If you see any fat from the beef, feel free to drain some/most of it if desired or pat out with a paper towel.
- Now add in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute while stirring. Then add in the petite diced tomatoes, beef broth, potatoes, and Italian seasoning and more salt to taste.
- Turn the heat up and bring the soup to a boil. Once boiling, turn the heat to medium-low heat and cook for 15-20 minutes. Check the potatoes, if they are tender, turn off the heat.
- Serve immediately. Add a dollop of sour cream for creaminess, optional. Enjoy.
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