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
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.
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!
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!
Ellie says
I’ve been making hamburger soup for 30 plus years. This recipe is just I make it. It’s delish! It’s easy to make and easy to adjust to your own personal taste. All my friends and family love it so there’s never any leftover. I’m wondering how it freezes?
Sara says
It freezes well, the veggies and potatoes are a little softer after being frozen, but otherwise it works fine!
gwen says
daughter just made this and gave me some Wow is it good, she added three different kinds canned bean beside string beans CAN’T wait to make this myself tks
Sara says
So glad you enjoyed it!
Vanessa says
Thank you for this yummy recipe! We made this last night with what i had on hand! The aromas are wonderful and the taste is delicious! I followed the recipe as close as i could with what i had on hand (with the exception of only having 4 cups of beef broth so i added chicken stock, i had canned corn and green beans, and Jarred garlic. I also only had baby red potatoes. The diced tomatoes were also Italian seasoned.). Thank you!
Sara says
So glad you enjoyed it, thanks for reporting back!
Crystal says
Love this recipe. I’ve made it twice. So hearty and delicious!
Sara says
So happy to hear you’re enjoying it!!
Haley says
Just stopping by to say this is a delicious recipe! Thank you for sharing it!
Sara says
So glad you enjoyed it!
Susan Henry from Foley says
Thanks for the recipe! It’s easy and delicious…just serve with crusty bread and you have a complete meal!
Susan from Foley says
Thanks for the recipe! It’s easy and delicious…just serve with crusty bread and you have a complete meal!
Pat Mullaly says
Love your recipes simple ad accesable
Sara says
Thank you Pat!
Willetta says
Just made this and it’s delicious! It’s August and I live in the South, the Deep South, but no matter. I’m keeping this recipe. There’s nothing like homemade soup with fresh veggies.
Sara says
So glad to hear you enjoyed it, thanks for reporting back!
Karen says
I just made it in August as well and it’s outstanding.
Debbie says
My family would go crazy over this! I must make it!
Kiwi says
Never heard of hamburger soup. I would have to make a turkey version as I cant eat beef anymore.
Toni | Boulder Locavore says
This looks really good! I could eat this for dinner any night of the week!
brianne says
This looks so yummy, I am definitely trying to make this for my family! I know my kids would love this !
Pam says
I love a hearty soup recipe in cold weather. This one sounds like it would definitely fit the bill.
ESTELLE says
I love making soup, but have never made this recipe before. Now I know what I’m going to do with my leftover hamburger!
amy says
My mom used to make Hamburger Soup when I was a kid. I didn’t really care for it then, but as an adult I would so love a bowl about now.
Kelly Reci says
Hamburger soup?! Why have I never thought of this?! (And secretly, I’m glad you did because your recipe seems absolutely scrumptious.) Thank you for putting the nutritious facts to your recipe – I don’t find many bloggers doing this!
Shell says
This is definitely soup weather! I’ll have to give your recipe a try.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
This is SO going into my winter rotation! I’m going to serve it with a generous handful of shredded cheddar on top, and we’ll have cheeseburger soup! Om nom nom.
Vera Sweeney says
This is definitely full of good hearty ingredients! It would be great on those cold nights! It looks really delicious!