Hamburger Soup Recipe

My family’s Hamburger Soup is the recipe I make every time we have people over, and it’s on our table all winter long. It’s an old family recipe loaded with ground beef, carrots, celery, and tomatoes in a rich beef broth. It takes about 10 minutes to prep, then it simmers while you get everything else done.

 

My Family’s Hamburger Soup Recipe

This hamburger soup has been in my husband’s family for decades, and it’s one of the recipes I inherited and love. We make it when company comes over and all winter long, but it’s just as good any other time of year.

The ground beef is my favorite part. You get bite-sized pieces of soft meat instead of big chunks that are hard to chew. There’s no fussy technique either. You brown the beef, add everything to the pot, and let it simmer. Every time I make it, one of my kids wanders into the kitchen asking when dinner is ready.

In our family we love to eat different kinds of soup in the winter time. Some of our favorites have always been homemade chicken noodle and corn chowder.

Why My Hamburger Soup is the Best

• Beef consomme – adds a depth of flavor you can’t get from beef broth alone.
• Chopped carrots – cut into chunks instead of diced, so they stay tender and never turn mushy.
• Hands-off simmer – about 10 minutes of prep, then the pot does the work while you get dinner sides ready.

Hamburger Soup Ingredients

• Ground beef – Ground beef is a staple when making hamburger soup. I usually get a leaner blend of hamburger like a 90/10. If you opt for a different blend you will just want to be sure you drain the grease from the hamburger after browning it. If you would like to use ground turkey or another type of ground meat it will work perfectly for this recipe.
• Onion – I like to use a sweet yellow onion when making this easy hamburger soup. The onion adds a beautiful flavor to this soup.
• Canned whole tomatoes – When picking up your whole tomatoes at the store, opt for canned ones. These are prepped, skinned, and ready to go perfect for soup. Be sure to grab some without added seasonings and flavors.
• Beef consume – this ingredient is key to this soup. It adds a depth of flavor you can’t get with just beef broth. 
• Water – Don’t skimp on the water. Although you have added liquid with the beef consume, the soup needs the water to be able to simmer for the needed time to really meld the flavors together.
• Carrots – I love adding carrots to make this beef soup with vegetables. When adding the carrots be sure you chop them rather than dice them. Dicing them will make them become mushy.
• Celery – Celery is another great vegetable to add to this soup recipe. Chop the celery in at least ¼” pieces to make sure they do not become mushy.
• Bay leaf – The bay leaf is a powerful addition to hamburger soup. It helps transforms the flavor and really ties the flavors together. It also adds a sweetness to the soup you won’t get without it. Be sure to remove the bay leaf prior to serving the best hamburger soup.
• Parsley flakes – Parsley flakes give another depth of flavor to this classic soup recipe.
• Salt and pepper – Don’t skimp on the salt and pepper. Although salt and pepper are simple ingredients, they add so much flavor to this easy hamburger soup.

Substitutions and Variations

• No ground beef? Use ground turkey or ground pork instead.
• Want more vegetables? Stir in extra carrots or celery.
• Short on time? Make it in the slow cooker. Brown the beef and saute the onion first, then add everything to the crockpot. Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours.
• Want a topping? Shredded cheese or fresh parsley are both great on top.

How to Make Hamburger Soup

1. Brown the ground beef in a large pan, then drain the excess grease.
2. Add the chopped onion to the pan and saute until translucent.
3. Transfer the beef and onion to a large stock pot.

4. Add the tomatoes, consomme, water, carrots, celery, bay leaf, parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir.
5. Cover and simmer for 1 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally so nothing sticks to the bottom.
6. Remove the bay leaf and serve.

Hamburger Soup FAQs

Can I make hamburger soup in a slow cooker?

Yes, brown the beef and saute the onion on the stove first, then add everything to the crockpot. Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours.

Why do you chop the carrots instead of dicing them?

Diced carrots get mushy during the long simmer. Chopped pieces stay tender and keep their shape.

Is this a good soup to give to someone?

It’s one of my favorites to share with someone who’s sick or going through a hard time. It makes a big batch, and the freezer-friendly containers let them save it for the day they need a meal.

What Should I Serve with Hamburger Soup?

This soup is a full meal on its own, but I love it with a loaf of crusty bread or dinner rolls and a simple side salad. For a second ground beef dinner, try my Hamburger Casserole.