The Best Hamburger Soup Recipe: Hearty Comfort in a Bowl

Crafting a hearty hamburger soup brings comfort right to your kitchen table.

Meat lovers will appreciate this robust dish packed with flavor.

Rich broth mingles with tender ground beef and colorful vegetables.

Chunky potatoes and hearty carrots create a satisfying meal in one pot.

Simple ingredients combine to deliver maximum deliciousness without complicated techniques.

Home cooks can whip up this recipe quickly and easily.

You’ll find this soup warms both body and soul, making it perfect for chilly evenings.

Grab a spoon and let’s dive into this delectable culinary adventure!

Why You’ll Want Hamburger Soup Again And Again

• Boost Family Nutrition: Pack this hearty soup with ground beef, colorful vegetables, and robust seasonings to deliver a nutritious meal that kids and adults will love.
• Master One-Pot Convenience: Create a complete dinner using just a single pot, minimizing kitchen cleanup and saving precious time during busy weeknights.
• Customize Your Comfort: Adapt the recipe by swapping vegetables, adjusting spices, or adding extra protein to match your family's taste preferences and dietary needs.
• Warm Comfort in Every Spoonful: Enjoy a deeply satisfying soup that provides warmth, rich flavors, and a comforting experience perfect for chilly evenings or when craving a homemade meal.

What You Need For Hamburger Soup

• Ground Beef: A hearty protein that provides rich flavor and substance to the soup.

• Onion, Garlic, Carrots, Celery: A classic vegetable blend that creates a robust and aromatic base for the soup.

• Beef Broth, Water: Provides the liquid foundation for the soup's consistency and depth of flavor.
• Diced Tomatoes, Tomato Paste: Adds a tangy sweetness and helps thicken the soup's texture.
• Salt, Black Pepper, Dried Basil, Dried Oregano, Bay Leaves: Seasonings that enhance and balance the overall taste profile of the soup.

• Fresh Parsley: Adds a bright, fresh flavor and visual appeal to the finished dish.

Cooking Guide For Hamburger Soup

Step 1: Brown Ground Beef

Heat a large pot over medium-high heat and crumble ground beef, cooking until all meat turns brown with no pink visible.

Step 2: Sauté Colorful Vegetables

• Onions
• Garlic
• Carrots
• Celery

Cook and stir for 4-5 minutes until vegetables start softening and releasing their delicious aromas.

Step 3: Create Flavorful Liquid Base

• Beef broth
• Water
• Diced tomatoes
• Tomato paste

Stir everything thoroughly to ensure complete mixing of ingredients.

Step 4: Season with Aromatic Herbs

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Dried basil
• Dried oregano
• Bay leaves

Mix well to distribute seasonings evenly throughout the soup.

Step 5: Simmer and Develop Flavors

Lower heat, cover pot, and let soup gently simmer for 25-30 minutes. This allows ingredients to blend and vegetables to become wonderfully tender.

Step 6: Remove Bay Leaves

Take out bay leaves from the soup to prevent any bitter undertones in the final dish.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Ladle steaming soup into bowls and sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top for a burst of color and freshness.

Step 8: Enjoy Your Meal

Serve immediately with crusty bread or crackers for a satisfying and comforting dining experience.

Simple Tips For Hamburger Soup

• Boost Meat Flavor: Brown ground beef thoroughly to develop deep, rich caramelized notes and enhance overall soup taste.
• Veggie Texture Trick: Dice vegetables uniformly for consistent cooking and ensure they remain slightly crisp during simmering.
• Herb Balance Strategy: Crush dried herbs between your fingers before adding to release more intense aromatics and maximize flavor profile.
• Lean Protein Option: Substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter, lower-fat version of the soup.
• Freezer-Friendly Hack: Store cooled soup in airtight containers for up to 3 months, making meal prep easier and more convenient.

Fun Ways To Change Up Hamburger Soup

• Spicy Southwest Soup: Add diced green chilies, jalapeños, cumin, and chili powder for a zesty Mexican-inspired version with extra heat.
• Mediterranean Herb Soup: Replace dried herbs with fresh rosemary, thyme, and add crumbled feta cheese on top for a Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Italian Pasta Soup: Stir in small pasta shells or ditalini during the last 10 minutes of cooking and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese for an Italian touch.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Soup: Substitute diced potatoes with riced cauliflower for a lighter, keto-friendly alternative that maintains the soup's hearty texture.

What Goes Well With Hamburger Soup

• Pair with Robust Red Wine: Choose a bold Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot to complement the rich, meaty flavors of the hamburger soup.
• Crusty Bread Companion: Select a rustic sourdough or garlic bread to soak up the savory broth and add delightful texture to each spoonful.
• Fresh Herb Salad Side: Toss a light mixed green salad with herbs like basil and parsley to balance the soup's hearty profile and provide a crisp contrast.
• Classic Beer Match: Opt for an amber ale or lager that echoes the soup's warm, comforting notes and cuts through its robust beef base.

Storing Hamburger Soup Made Easy

• Store leftover hamburger soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool the soup completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth and maintain optimal flavor.
• Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring a tight seal to prevent freezer burn and preserve taste.
• Thaw frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. Warm gently in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching and maintain the soup's texture.
• Divide soup into individual serving sizes before storing, making it easier to defrost and reheat only the amount you need without compromising the entire batch's quality.

Hamburger Soup Questions Answered

• Is hamburger soup nutritious?

Yes, it’s packed with protein from ground beef, and loaded with vitamins and minerals from carrots, celery, and other vegetables, making it a balanced and healthy meal option.

• Can I use different types of ground meat?

Absolutely! Ground turkey, chicken, or lean ground beef work perfectly in this recipe, allowing you to customize the soup’s flavor and nutritional profile.

• How can I make the soup more filling?

Add diced potatoes or cooked rice during the simmering stage to increase the soup’s heartiness and make it more substantial for a complete meal.

• Is this soup good for meal prep?

Yes, hamburger soup freezes wonderfully for up to 3 months and reheats easily, making it an excellent make-ahead dinner option for busy weeks.

Hamburger Soup Recipe

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4.7 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty hamburger soup brings comfort and warmth to dinner tables, blending rich ground beef with tender vegetables in a savory broth. Satisfying and simple, this classic soup delivers a complete meal that nourishes you with each delicious spoonful.

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Ingredients

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Meat:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 lb hamburger meat

Vegetables:

• 2 cups diced tomatoes
• 1 cup diced onions
• 1 cup diced carrots
• 1 cup diced celery
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Pantry/Seasoning:

• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 cup water
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 2 bay leaves

Optional Garnish:

• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

1. Heat a large pot over medium-high heat and brown ground beef until no pink remains, breaking meat into small crumbles.
2. Add onions, garlic, carrots, and celery to the pot, sautéing for 4-5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
3. Pour in beef broth, water, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste, stirring to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
4. Incorporate salt, black pepper, dried basil, dried oregano, and bay leaves into the soup, mixing well.
5. Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 25-30 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and vegetables to become tender.
6. Remove bay leaves from the soup before serving to prevent bitter taste.
7. Ladle hot soup into bowls and garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant, aromatic finish.
8. Serve immediately while hot, paired with crusty bread or crackers for a hearty meal.

Notes

• Swap lean ground beef for turkey or plant-based crumbles to create a lighter, lower-fat version perfect for health-conscious eaters.
• Boost vegetable content by adding extra nutrient-dense ingredients like zucchini, spinach, or kale for enhanced nutritional value.
• Control sodium levels by using low-sodium beef broth and adjusting salt gradually to suit personal taste preferences.
• Enhance meal prep efficiency by preparing soup in large batches and freezing individual portions for quick future meals.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 650 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg