Hamburger Soup is the perfect one-pot wonder that brings together all the comforting flavors of a classic American meal in a warm, satisfying bowl. This hearty soup combines seasoned ground beef with tender vegetables, flavorful broth, and satisfying potatoes to create a meal that feels like a warm hug on a cold day. What makes this recipe truly special is how it transforms simple, everyday ingredients into something extraordinary. The ground beef provides rich, savory flavor while vegetables like carrots, celery, and onions add sweetness and nutrition. Potatoes make it filling enough to serve as a complete meal, and the seasoned broth ties everything together beautifully. This is the kind of soup that makes your kitchen smell amazing and brings the whole family to the dinner table.
Recipe Information
- Serves: 6-8 people
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
Ingredients You Need
Gather these simple ingredients for a perfect pot of Hamburger Soup:
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 large carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups beef broth
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cup frozen corn kernels
- 1 cup frozen green beans, cut into pieces
Browning the Ground Beef
Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed soup pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Let the meat brown properly, which takes about 6-8 minutes. You want to see nice brown bits forming on the bottom of the pot, as these add incredible flavor to your soup. Season the meat with salt and pepper as it cooks.
Once the beef is nicely browned and cooked through, use a slotted spoon to remove it from the pot and set it aside on a plate. Leave about 2 tablespoons of the fat in the pot for cooking the vegetables – this adds flavor, but drain off any excess.
Building the Vegetable Base
Add the diced onion to the same pot with the remaining fat and cook over medium heat for about 4 minutes until it starts to soften and become translucent. Add the diced carrots and celery, cooking for another 5 minutes while stirring occasionally. The vegetables should start to soften and smell wonderful.
Add the minced garlic and cook for just 1 minute more, stirring constantly to prevent it from burning. The garlic should smell fragrant and delicious. This combination of onion, carrots, celery, and garlic creates the perfect flavor foundation for your soup.
Creating the Soup Base
Return the browned ground beef to the pot with the vegetables. Add the cubed potatoes, diced tomatoes with their juice, tomato sauce, and all the seasonings – oregano, basil, thyme, salt, pepper, paprika, and the bay leaf. Stir everything together so the seasonings coat all the ingredients.
Pour in the beef broth, making sure it covers all the ingredients by about an inch. If you need more liquid, add a bit of water. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer gently.
Simmering to Perfection
Cover the pot and let your soup simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork. Stir occasionally to prevent anything from sticking to the bottom of the pot. The vegetables should be soft and the flavors should be blending together beautifully.
During the last 5 minutes of cooking, add the frozen corn and green beans. These don’t need as much cooking time, and adding them at the end ensures they maintain their color and don’t become mushy. Stir them in and let them heat through completely.
Final Seasoning and Adjustments
Taste your soup and adjust the seasonings as needed. You might want to add a bit more salt, pepper, or herbs depending on your preferences. Remove the bay leaf before serving – it’s done its job of adding subtle flavor throughout the cooking process.
If your soup seems too thick, add a little more beef broth or water. If it’s too thin, let it simmer uncovered for a few more minutes to reduce and thicken slightly. The consistency should be hearty but not overly thick – you want it to be spoonable but not stew-like.
Serving Your Hamburger Soup
Ladle the hot soup into bowls and serve immediately while steaming hot. This soup tastes amazing on its own, but it’s even better when served with crusty bread, dinner rolls, or crackers for dipping. Some people love to add a dollop of sour cream or sprinkle of shredded cheese on top.
Storage and Reheating
This Hamburger Soup actually tastes even better the next day after all the flavors have had time to meld together. Store leftover soup in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze it for up to 3 months. When reheating, you might need to add a splash of broth or water, as the soup can thicken as it sits.
Perfect for Meal Planning
This recipe makes a generous amount that serves 6-8 people, making it perfect for family dinners or meal prep. It’s the kind of soup that satisfies everyone at the table and provides comfort on even the chilliest days. The combination of protein, vegetables, and starch makes it a complete meal that will keep you full and happy.
