Slow Cooker Hamburger Soup

Easy to prep and full of flavor, this Slow Cooker Hamburger Soup is about to become the easiest dinner win of your week. Savory ground beef, tender potatoes, and veggies simmer together into a hearty meal that’s pure comfort food at it’s best.

Crockpot Hamburger Soup

This Slow Cooker Hamburger Soup is exactly the kind of dinner I crave when the weather starts to cool down. It’s hearty and rich with ground beef, tender potatoes, tomatoes, and vegetables all simmering in a rich savory broth. I’ve made plenty of slow cooker soups over the years, and this is the one my family asks for again and again.

I start by browning the ground beef in butter with the onion and garlic, which gives the soup so much flavor. Then everything simmers together until the veggies are tender and the broth comes together. Add buttery biscuits or crusty bread on the side and dinner is basically done.

My Rosemary Parmesan Crescent Rolls are delicious with this soup. They’re soft, buttery, and filled with the perfect hint of rosemary.

Ingredients

• Unsalted butter: Adds a little richness right from the start.
• Yellow onion: Softens in the skillet and adds a slightly sweet, savory flavor to the soup.
• Garlic: A tablespoon gives the broth plenty of garlicky flavor without taking over.
• Ground beef: Choose a lean ground beef to keep the broth from becoming too oily.
• Celery: Adds fresh flavor and a little texture as it cooks.
• Yukon Gold potatoes: These become tender and creamy inside as they cook.
• Tomato paste: Gives the broth a deeper tomato flavor and a little extra body.
• Salt: Seasons the beef, vegetables, and broth.
• Black pepper: Adds just enough gentle warmth.
• Italian seasoning: Adds another depth of flavor to the soup.
• Crushed tomatoes: Gives this soup its rich tomato base.
• Vegetable broth: Creates the savory broth without making it too heavy.
• Frozen mixed vegetables: A bag with carrots, peas, corn, and green beans works nicely.

How To Make Hamburger Soup In The Slow Cooker

Step 1. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat on the stovetop. Add the onions and garlic and cook until slightly softened.

Step 2. Next, add the ground beef and cook until it is browned and no longer pink, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks. Drain any excess grease before moving on.

Step 3. Add the beef and onion mixture to the slow cooker along with the celery, potatoes, tomato paste, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.

Step 4. Pour the vegetable broth and crushed tomatoes over the top and stir to combine everything evenly. Cover and cook on high for about 3 hours, or until the potatoes are fork tender. Add the frozen vegetables and continue cooking for another 30 minutes.

Serve warm with a side of bread or biscuits for dipping.

Storage Instructions

• Refrigerator: Let leftover soup cool, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the soup gently on the stovetop.
• Freezer: Transfer cooled soup to freezer safe containers, leaving a little room at the top for expansion. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. The potatoes may become slightly softer after freezing, but the soup will still be tasty.

Variations And Add-ins

This recipe is really easy to change depending on what you have on hand. Try one of these simple swaps or additions to make it a little different each time.

• Use ground turkey: Swap the ground beef for ground turkey for a lighter version. Brown it in the skillet just as you would the beef.
• Try ground chicken: Ground chicken also works well, especially if you prefer a milder flavored soup.
• Switch the broth: Beef broth or beef stock will give the soup a stronger beef flavor. Chicken broth can also be used for a lighter tasting base.
• Add Worcestershire sauce: A small splash adds another savory note that works especially well with ground beef and tomatoes.
• Make it a cheeseburger soup: Stir shredded cheddar cheese into individual bowls, or add cheese along with a splash of cream near the end for a creamy cheeseburger style variation.
• Add some heat: Red pepper flakes, diced jalapeño, or a little hot sauce can give the soup some extra warmth.

Tips And Tricks

This soup is easy to make, but a few simple details can make a big difference in how it turns out. These tips will help you get the best texture and flavor every time.

• Cut the potatoes into similarly sized pieces: Keeping the cubes fairly uniform helps them finish cooking at about the same time.
• Drain the beef if necessary: If your ground beef releases quite a bit of grease, drain any excess before transferring it to the crockpot so the broth does not become oily.
• Give your slow cooker some room: Avoid filling it all the way to the top. The ingredients cook more evenly when there is enough space for the heat to circulate.
• Resist checking it constantly: Every time the lid comes off, heat escapes and the cooking time can creep up.
• Taste before adding more salt: Broths vary quite a bit in sodium, so wait until the soup is nearly finished before deciding whether it needs more.

Hamburger Soup FAQs

More Tasty Soup Recipes

• Chicken Taco Soup
• French Onion Soup
• Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup
• Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
• Easy Potato Soup
• Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Soup