Easy Hamburger Soup Recipe

Name: Hamburger Soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 1 ½ lb lean ground beef; 1 sweet onion (diced); 1 can diced tomatoes (28oz can); 1 cup water; 3 cans consomme (10oz/284ml cans); 1 can tomato soup (10oz/284ml ); 3 celery stalks (diced); 4 carrots (peeled and diced); ½ tsp dried thyme; 2 cups small pasta shells (uncooked); salt and pepper (to taste)

Hamburger soup is a cozy, flavorful meal with ground beef, veggies, and a hearty broth—perfect when you want something delicious without spending all day in the kitchen. It’s quick to prepare and cook, making it an excellent go-to for an easy, satisfying dinner.

I regret not getting the recipe for my Grandma June’s Hamburger Soup. She passed away at the end of 2012. I miss her dearly. I was lucky enough to get some of her handwritten recipes. I’ve already shared her Hurry Chicken. I decided to take a crack at her Hamburger Soup and see if I could get it close. Grandma June always referred to it as “Hamburg soup.”

The beef was always plentiful around Grandma’s house. Her life partner, Clarence, is a beef farmer, and she always had a freezer full of his beef.

I hope my grandma approves of this version of her soup. I love it because it’s hearty, filling and flavourful. It’s pure comfort food that is perfect to enjoy on a cold night while tucked inside the house.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Comforting and filling: On a chilly day, there’s nothing like a warm bowl of hamburger soup. Packed with ground beef, vegetables, and a delicious broth, this soup will satisfy your hunger and provide a soothing, cozy experience. I love that it’s a complete meal in a bowl.
Budget-friendly: Hamburger soup is an affordable option that doesn’t require a long list of expensive ingredients. Many ingredients, such as ground beef, carrots, and canned tomatoes, can easily be purchased on a budget. It’s great for meal prep!
Easy to make: Hamburger soup requires little time or effort. In just 50 minutes, you can whip up a pot of this delicious and easy soup, making it a perfect option for a busy weeknight.
Customizable: One of the best things about hamburger soup is its versatility. You can easily adjust the recipe to your tastes or dietary needs by swapping out certain ingredients for alternatives. For example, you could use ground turkey, ground chicken, or a mix of ground meats instead of beef.

Ingredients

The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

Lean ground beef: This forms the base of your soup, providing a hearty and delicious protein source.
Sweet onion: Adds a touch of sweetness and depth to the flavor profile.
Diced tomatoes: Gives the soup a rich tomato base and contributes to its chunky, appetizing texture.
Water: Helps thin out the soup to your desired consistency.
Consommé: Adds a savory, meaty flavor to complement the ground beef.
Tomato soup: Enhances the tomato base and contributes to a smoother, thicker texture.
Celery stalks: Provides a subtle, refreshing crunch to balance out the heartier ingredients.
Carrots: Offers a hint of natural sweetness along with additional texture and color.
Dried thyme: Aromatic herb that adds a subtle earthiness to the soup’s overall flavor.
Small pasta shells: These will cook directly in the soup, adding a bit of texture.
Salt and black pepper: Adjust these seasonings to perfectly suit your preferences and enhance the other ingredients’ natural flavors.

Ingredients to make the recipe on a white counter top.

How to Make Hamburger Soup

Step One: In a large pot, cook ground beef and onions on medium-high heat.

Collage of the hamburger and onion cooking in a pot.

Step Two: Add the remaining ingredients and combine once the beef is browned.
Step Three: Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 40 minutes. Serve hot.

Collage of the ingredients added to the pot and mixed together.

What to Serve with the Soup

Crusty Bread: A warm, crusty bread is perfect for dunking into the soup and soaking up all the delicious flavors. You can opt for a simple, rustic bread or something more flavorful like garlic bread or rosemary focaccia.
Green Salad: A light and refreshing green salad can contrast the hearty soup. Include mixed greens and your favorite toppings, such as cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, and sliced avocado. Drizzle with a tangy vinaigrette to bring it all together.
Grilled Vegetables: A side of grilled vegetables is a healthy and delicious option that complements the rich flavors of the soup. Choices can include zucchini, bell peppers, asparagus, or eggplant, tossed in olive oil and your choice of seasonings. Grill until slightly charred and tender.

Variations and Substitutions

Protein Options: Besides hamburger meat, you can also consider using ground turkey, chicken, or a plant-based meat substitute to make your hamburger soup. This way, you can still enjoy the savory flavors while accommodating different dietary needs.
Vegetable Mix-ins: Feel free to get creative with the hearty vegetables you add to the soup. You can use fresh or frozen sweet corn, green bell pepper, green beans, spinach, and even mushrooms to give your soup a burst of color and added nutritional benefits. Add chopped russet potatoes, Yukon gold potatoes, red potatoes, sweet potatoes, or even mixed frozen veggies.
Grains and Pasta: Adding grains like barley, rice, or other small pasta shapes like macaroni enhances the heartiness of the hamburger soup. Remember to adjust the cooking time to ensure your chosen grain cooks properly.
Spices: Personalize your soup with your favorite herbs and spices. Suggestions include using cajun seasoning for a Southern twist, adding a bit of smoked paprika for a smoky flavor, chili powder for a Tex-Mex vibe, or even incorporating curry powder for an international flair.
Broth Base: Choose between a beef broth, chicken broth, or tomato-based broth, or create a creamy variation by incorporating milk, cream, or a dairy-free alternative. If you can’t find consomme, use beef broth. A low-salt beef broth will also be acceptable.

Storage Instructions

Let the soup cool to room temperature first to avoid extra condensation that can cause spoilage. Stir it occasionally to help it cool evenly.

Once it’s cooled, transfer the soup to airtight containers like glass or plastic, or use resealable bags. Make sure they’re sealed tightly to keep the soup fresh.

Here’s how to store it:

Refrigerator: Keep the soup in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave when you’re ready to enjoy it.
Freezer: For longer storage, freeze the soup in labeled containers for 2 to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, or reheat straight from frozen on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Can I Make Ahead?

Absolutely! Hamburger soup is a great meal to prepare ahead of time.

To make ahead, simply follow the recipe as usual and let the soup cool completely before storing. You can store the soup in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, making it perfect for a quick and easy reheatable meal.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Switch up the vegetables: Customize your hamburger soup using leftover, fresh, or frozen vegetables. This is an excellent way to use up produce that may be nearing its expiration date.
Pasta options: Macaroni and small pasta shells are famous for hamburger soup, but feel free to experiment with other small pasta shapes like farfalle or small shell pasta.
Freezing hamburger soup: This soup is perfect for freezing if you want to make a big batch and have leftovers for future meals. Just let it cool completely before transferring it to airtight containers for freezing.
Pair with bread: A slice of crusty bread or garlic bread is the perfect accompaniment to balance the meal. Alternatively, you can whip up a batch of easy dinner rolls for a more savory option.

Can I Make in the Slow Cooker?

Absolutely! Hamburger soup works great in a slow cooker, making it perfect for busy weekdays or laid-back weekends. Start by browning the ground beef and sautéing the onions in a pan to get that rich flavor.

After that, just toss the cooked beef, onions, and other ingredients into the slow cooker. Then let it do the work!

Cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or on HIGH for 4 hours, and you’re all set.

Can I Make in an Instant Pot?

Yes, you can! Making hamburger soup in an Instant Pot is quick and easy. It keeps all the flavors while cutting down on prep and cook time.

Start by sautéing the onions and ground beef right in the Instant Pot using the Sauté function. Once the meat is browned, add the rest of the ingredients and give it a good stir.

Secure the lid and cook on Manual or Pressure Cook for 10-15 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure.

The Instant Pot makes this soup super convenient and flavorful in less time!

FAQ

How can I thicken this soup?

If you want a thicker, heartier hamburger soup, here are a few simple methods:
Roux: Make a roux by cooking equal parts flour and butter or oil in a saucepan, then stir it into your soup. You can also use cornstarch instead of flour for the same effect.
Reduce the liquid: Let the soup simmer to reduce the liquid, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. This will naturally thicken the soup.
Add starch: Throw in frozen hash browns or mashed potatoes to add thickness and extra flavor.
Creamy ingredients: Stir in sour cream, cream cheese, or heavy cream toward the end of cooking for a creamier, thicker texture.
Blend some veggies: If your soup has potatoes or carrots, blend a portion of it to thicken the soup while keeping the flavor intact. Just let it cool slightly before blending.

What is the Best Ground Beef to Use?

For hamburger soup, go for lean ground beef, like 85% lean or higher, to avoid making the soup too greasy. If you’re looking for a healthier option, you can also use ground turkey.
The quality of the meat affects the flavor, so using high-quality ground beef will give you better results. Grass-fed beef is a popular choice because it’s usually leaner and has healthier fats.
But if you’re on a budget or using what you have, don’t stress too much about the type. Just be sure to drain any excess grease after browning the meat, and you’ll be good to go!

Soup Recipes

You might also like Impossible Cheeseburger Pie, Hamburger Quiche and Onion Soup Mix.

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4.45 from 80 votes (75 ratings without comment)

79 Comments

Reuven says:

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This recipe looks and sounds wonderful, Stacie. Our family loves soup of any kind and I think we’re definitely going to give this one a try.

Thanks so much for sharing at our #TrafficJamWeekend linky party. Hope to see you there next week, too.

Lindsay @ The DIY Mommy says:

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My kids love hamburger soup and I love how easy it is to make. Going to try your version 🙂

Robin says:

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Soup season is just about over here in our neck of the woods, so I’ll have to give this recipe a try real soon. Thank you for sharing your recipe at the Creative Muster Party. Pinned
Robin | Fluster Buster

Charlene Asay says:

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This just might be what I make for dinner tonight. Thanks for sharing!

Stephanie LaPlante says:

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This sounds extremely delicious! I’d totally love it.

Lula Ruger says:

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This looks so tasty ! What a great recipie for these cold winter days

Linda H says:

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This is one soup my whole family loves.

Ellen R Saper says:

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Would this work in a slow cooker?

1. Stacie says:
  
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  I haven’t tried it in the slow cooker, but I bet it would work there too.
  
  1. Lorrie says:
    
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    Can you use turkey meat instead of beef?
    
    1. Stacie says:
      
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      I think ground turkey would work too!
      
Sarah L says:

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That does look warm & filling on a cold winter’s day.

Ron says:

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The perfect winter soup.

Joyce S says:

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We often have Soup Sundays.. this looks like one I would like to try!

AD says:

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Funny enough, your recipe is very similar to the one I have (one ingredient off) and the first recipe I ever learned to make… 🙂

Kristi F says:

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Hamburger soup has always been one of my favourites, I love it with green beans and zucchini too.

Elizabeth Matthiesen says:

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I’ve don’t believe that I’ve ever had hamburger soup, but these photos do tempt me to give it a try, looks delicious. 🙂

Calvin F. says:

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This sounds very tasty. I would eat it with bread or rice

kathy downey says:

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Thanks i have all the ingredients i’m going to try this on the weekend !!

Judy Cowan says:

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Sounds like a nice hearty soup. I have pinned it to try it out. Thanks for sharing.

Chelle says:

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Looks delicious! I would call it a stew though. I do something like this and I call it a chili; it has no pasta.

Julie Wood says:

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This soup looks so delicious and easy to make. It would be great right now to have some because it is so cold outside! Thanks for an awesome recipe. I am going to make it.

Stephanie says:

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This looks delicious and comforting. I bet grandma would approve. 🙂

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