This hearty hamburger soup is loaded with potatoes and vegetables, all in a savory broth. The perfect easy dinner option that the whole family will love!
Got ground beef? Then you must try this hamburger soup. It’s quick and easy to make and just loaded with flavor – it’s a great way to get your kids to eat their veggies too!
Sometimes I find myself with a pound of ground beef and no clue what to make with it. It’s times like that when I turn to hamburger soup- it’s satisfying, quick, and you can customize it with whatever ingredients you already have around the house.
How to make hamburger soup
This soup starts with the classic base of onions, carrot and celery. The veggies are sauteed until softened.
After your veggies are done, the hamburger goes into the pot to brown. I use a 90% lean ground beef, it’s got plenty of flavor but doesn’t make the soup greasy. If you’re using beef with a higher fat content, you’ll want to drain off any excess fat before you move to the next step.
After the meat and veggies are ready, I add tomatoes, tomato sauce, potatoes, beef broth and herbs to the pot, then bring the whole thing to a simmer.
The smaller you cut your potatoes, the less time it will take for this soup to cook. I cut mine into 1/2 inch cubes and it typically takes about 25 minutes for the potatoes to soften. The final step is to add in a few more veggies. I use a handful of frozen corn and some chopped green beans.
I use fresh green beans, but you can absolutely use frozen if you prefer. The key is to add them at the end of the cooking time so that they don’t get mushy.
This hamburger soup is hearty enough to stand on its own as a complete meal, but I often serve it with some crusty bread because it’s such a nice complement to the soup.
What’s your favorite way to use hamburger meat? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments!
More soup recipes
- Tortellini Soup with Sausage
- Ham Bone Soup
- Chicken Tortellini Soup
- Chicken Taco Soup
- Alphabet Soup with Meatballs
Hamburger Soup Video
Hamburger Soup
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup onion finely diced
- 2 carrots peeled, quartered and sliced
- 2 stalks celery thinly sliced
- 1 pound ground beef I use 90% lean
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 15 ounce can diced tomatoes do not drain
- 1 8 ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or equal parts of garlic powder, dried oregano and dried basil
- 6 cups beef broth
- 1 large russet potato peeled and diced into 1/2 inch cubes
- 1/2 cup frozen corn
- 1/2 cup diced green beans fresh or frozen
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley optional
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium high heat. Add the onion, carrots and celery to the pot.
- Cook for 5-6 minutes or until softened.
- Add the ground beef to the pot and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until browned and mostly cooked through. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds more.
- Add the tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, beef broth and potato to the pot; bring to a simmer.
- Cook for 25-30 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Taste and add salt and pepper as desired.
- Stir in the corn and green beans and cook for 5 minutes more. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.
Notes
- If you use ground beef with a higher fat content, be sure to drain off any excess fat before you proceed to the next step.
- Ground turkey (93% lean) can be substituted for the ground beef.
Alice says
Made this soup but I added Lima beans purple Hull peas potatoes so good
Kelley King says
I remember my grandmother making this when I was a child, and loving it!
Haven’t seen nor heard about it in recent years so I started googling for a recipe, and luckily found yours.
In addition to this being budget -friendly, you can substitute or add just about any vegetables or pasta you like. There is no wrong way to make a hamburger soup!
Thank you for sharing this treasured old standby!
Denise says
Absolutely delicious
Colleen Andersen says
FABULOUS! I added a two little packets of red pepper flakes and kicked it up too much! I then had to add more chunky tomatoes and all was good!
Erica Ortiz says
LOVE THIS RECIPE. I added some soy and a corn, carrot and peas frozen mix. I also added in cheese tortellini. Delicious!
Toby says
I made the soup. It was so delicious! We had it for three meals for the three of us.
I used two cans of tomato and left out the tomato sauce. I had a bunch of scallions so I cut them up and put them in, doubled the green beans, put in some celery leaves from the celery in our garden I included three carrots, I put in a green bell pepper. I omitted the potato and served the soup with some brown rice. We put about 1/4 cup of rice into a large bowl of soup. I also put in one can of black beans. I did this last to go with the rice and create what is called in the book entitled “Diet for a Small Planet” ” a complete protein” which occurs when you have rice and beans together. The protein will assimilate better if you have the two both in the same meal.
There are so many ways to make this soup. It is easy, fast, tasty, healthful. Thank you very much!
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Jenna says
Amazing! I absolutely love this recipe. I almost never have seconds of any dish, and I ate a lot of this. Lol. It’s great! Thank you for the excellent addition to my dinner menu. ❤️
MrsC5 says
Sounds delicious! What would you recommend I serve as sides to round out a complete meal?
Sara says
I serve this with bread or a green salad!
Kari says
I love this recipe!!! Made it today
Hoping my russet potato’s don’t get too mushy 🙂
It’s perfect and my kids will love it! Thank you
I especially love the green bean addition I bought fresh and I think it adds the perfect kick!
Sara says
Yay so glad to hear you enjoyed it! Thanks for reporting back!
Victoria Gibson says
Delicious soup! I would suggest using petite chopped tomatoes, as the tomatoes seemed a bit large. Also, I would suggest draining the meat after it cools. Very taste soup overall!
Sara says
So happy to hear you enjoyed it, thanks for reporting back!
Alana Cortie says
Great recipe! I added a bit of Worcestershire. I will def make again some day.
Sara says
So happy to hear that you’re enjoying the recipe, thanks for reporting back!
Patricia says
Awesome recipe very good. Thank you.
Joel Dominie says
Really good start. I felt it lacked a savory component; it needed a little depth. I ended up adding a tablespoon of soy sauce which added that missing piece and made all the difference! Thanks!
Sara says
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for reporting back!
Don Skutt says
Can this be made in slow cooker?
Sara says
Yes it can! You’ll want to brown the beef first, then add the beef, onion, carrot, celery, garlic, seasonings, tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth and potatoes to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 4 hours, then stir in the corn and green beans right before serving.
Leah says
I have four kiddos in my zoo, and they all love soup. I like this one especially because o the simple ingredients for my 10 month old. I have also omitted the potatoes and added elbow macaroni. “This is sooooo good,” said the 7 year old. Thanks for the inspiration!
Sara says
So happy that they all enjoyed it! Thanks for reporting back!
Carrie says
When should I add noodles with this recipe in a slow cooker?
Sara says
During the last 20-30 minutes of the cook time!
Trish says
I added broccoli, cauliflower, and squash….it was amazing! Thank you so much for this recipe 😊
Sara says
So glad to hear you enjoyed it, thanks for reporting back!
Lisa Minervini says
We add spicy V8 juice in combination with the beef broth…. Yummy!
Sara says
That sounds delicious!
Patricia says
Adding a Tablespoon or so of Asian fish sauce, or light soy, adds umami and makes it yummier still!
Sara says
Sounds great!
Betty Richardson says
This is a wonderful recipe. I made it twice, once with ground beef and again today with a cut up chuck steak. This time added baby limas, very few noodles and 5 shredded Brussels sprouts. Delicious. Thank you!
Sara says
Sounds amazing, so glad you enjoyed it!
Dana says
I love this soup! It’s also called vegetable soup. I also add black eyed peas and baby Lima beans. A friend told me the other day that her aunt brings everything to a boil then adds uncooked hamburger. Then she simmers until done. it holds the hamburger’s flavor better.
Sara says
Love the idea of adding beans, I’ll try that next time!