When the weather turns chilly and comfort food cravings hit, this hamburger soup recipe is exactly what you need. It’s the kind of meal that makes you want to curl up in your favorite chair with a warm bowl and just savor every spoonful.
This soup is also a favorite for us any time someone’s feeling under the weather or when we just want something light without feeling like we’re sacrificing anything.
What is Hamburger Soup?
Despite its humble name, hamburger soup is a treasure that transforms simple ingredients into something extraordinary. Ground beef provides a hearty base, while a medley of fresh vegetables adds color, texture, and nutrition. The rich, tomato-tinged broth ties everything together, creating a satisfying meal that’s both nourishing and delicious.
Unlike many soup recipes that require fancy ingredients or complicated techniques, hamburger soup celebrates simplicity. It’s the kind of recipe that reminds us why home cooking is so special – simple ingredients, prepared with care, can create something truly memorable.
How to Make Hamburger Soup
Making this soup starts with a few simple ingredients:
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1/4 cup finely diced onion
- 3 medium carrots
- 3 celery stalks (with the leaves)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 quarts beef broth
- 3 large Yukon gold potatoes
- 28-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
- 2 teaspoons chopped chives
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and Pepper to taste
It comes together so easily. The process starts with browning the ground beef, then you add the vegetables and remaining flavors. The best part? Everything happens in one pot, meaning less cleanup and more time to enjoy your creation.
Why Use Yukon Gold Potatoes?
I always use Yukon Gold potatoes for this recipe because I love the end result. Their naturally buttery flavor and moderate starch content make them perfect for soup for several reasons:
- They hold their shape beautifully, even after simmering
- Their creamy texture adds richness to the broth
- Their golden color makes the soup more visually appealing
- They don’t turn mushy like russet potatoes can
- They absorb flavors while maintaining their own distinct taste
While you could use other potato varieties, Yukon Golds create that perfect balance between hearty and refined that makes this soup so special.
How to Make Hamburger Soup in the Crock Pot
What happens if you want soup but you don’t have time to watch over a pot on the stove? This recipe is easily adapted to the slower cooker! Making hamburger soup in a crockpot isn’t just convenient – it allows the flavors to develop and meld together over several hours of gentle cooking. The only extra step you’ll need to take is browning the ground beef before adding it to the slow cooker.
The crockpot method is perfect for:
- Busy weekdays when you’re juggling work and family
- Lazy weekends when you want the cooking to take care of itself
- Making larger batches for meal prep or feeding a crowd
- Those times when you want to come home to dinner already made
Simply set your crockpot to low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours, and let it work its magic.
How to Make Hamburger Soup with Pasta Instead of Potatoes
Do you prefer pasta in place of potatoes in your soups? Macaroni, bowtie pasta and other similar shapes work perfectly. Add the pasta of your choice during the last 15 minutes of cooking. The pasta will absorb all those wonderful flavors while making the soup more substantial. Just remember that if you’re planning on leftovers, you might want to cook the pasta separately to prevent it from becoming too soft during storage.
How to Serve this Hamburger Soup
The best thing about the flavor profile of this soup is that there are many different ways to serve it depending on your personal preferences.
Serve your soup with:
- Crusty bread for dipping
- A sprinkle of fresh herbs
- A dollop of sour cream
- Shredded cheese on top
- Crackers
Storing Leftovers
This hamburger soup actually gets better with time! As it sits in the fridge, the flavors continue to develop and meld together. Here’s what you need to know about storing your soup:
- Refrigerator: Your soup will stay fresh for 4-5 days when stored in an airtight container
- Freezer: It can be frozen for up to 3 months (just leave out any pasta you plan to add)
- Reheating: Warm it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave
Pro tip: When freezing, leave a little space at the top of your container for the soup to expand as it freezes.
Whether you choose to make it on the stovetop or in your crockpot, this soup is sure to become a family favorite. It’s a recipe that proves the best dishes don’t need to be complicated to be delicious.
What’s your go-to comfort food when the weather gets colder? We’d love to hear it!
Hamburger Soup
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1/4 cup finely diced onion
- 3 medium carrots
- 3 celery stalks with the leaves
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 quarts beef broth
- 3 large yukon gold potatoes
- 28 ounce can diced tomatoes drained
- 2 teaspoons chopped chives
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Peel and dice the carrot and celery, including the celery leaves.
- Wash and cube the potatoes
- Add the ground beef to a dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- As the meat starts to brown, add the vegetables.
- Cook the mixture until the onions start to turn translucent.
- Drain any excess grease from the ground beef and return the mixture to the pan.
- Add the garlic and let it cook for 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Stir in the tomato paste and let the mixture cook for another 3 minutes.
- Add the beef broth and stir.
- Turn the temperature down to medium-low.
- Add the potato, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, and bay leaves to the pot
- Cook for 20 minutes or until the potatoes and vegetables are fork-tender. Cook time will vary based on how large you cut the potatoes.
- Remove the bay leaves at the end of the cooking time.
- Add salt and pepper to taste along with the chives just before serving.
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