If you’re looking for a hearty, comforting, and delicious meal, then this creamy Hamburger Soup recipe is for you! What’s best is that this creamy hamburger soup comes together quickly for a satisfying family meal everyone will enjoy! From the browning of the ground beef to the sautéing of the onions and peppers, each step adds a layer of flavor that makes this soup stand out.
This Hamburger Soup is a one-pot wonder that captures all the savory goodness of a hamburger in a bowl of soup. It’s a great dish to make at home, especially during those chilly nights when you want something to warm you up. The ingredients are simple and easily accessible, making it a convenient choice for a weeknight dinner.
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Why I Love This Recipe
Easy to make: This hamburger soup recipe requires only a few steps and basic ingredients, such as ground beef, onions, and carrots. You just have to brown the beef, sauté the veggies, and let it all simmer together. It is a breeze to whip up!
Quick: Despite its rich flavor, this soup comes together quickly. The total cooking time is relatively short, especially considering the depth of flavor you get.
Family favorite: With its hearty ingredients and comforting, creamy texture, this soup is a surefire family favorite. It is like a cheeseburger in a pot, and who wouldn’t love that?
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Key Ingredients
Ground Beef: This is the star of the dish, providing a hearty, meaty flavor that makes the soup satisfying and filling.
Onions: These will add a subtle sweetness and depth to the overall flavor of the soup. They’ll be sauteed with ground beef to enhance their flavor.
Green Peppers: They contribute a mild, slightly sweet taste to the soup, balancing out the richness of the beef.
Carrots: Not only do they add color to your soup, but they also bring a slightly sweet and earthy flavor. They’ll become tender as they cook, adding texture to the soup.
Tomato Juice: This will give your soup a tangy and rich tomato flavor, elevating the taste of the other ingredients.
Salt: A key ingredient in almost every recipe, salt will help to bring out the flavors of the other ingredients, making your soup even more delicious.
Potatoes: These will become beautifully tender as they cook, adding a comforting, hearty element to your hamburger soup. I used pre-cut refrigerated potatoes to make this recipe come together even more easily.
Milk: This will be used to create a creamy, rich broth for your soup. It brings a mild sweetness and creaminess that balances the savory flavors.
All-purpose Flour: This will be used as a thickening agent, giving your soup the perfect consistency. It blends smoothly with the other ingredients, guaranteeing that your soup isn’t too thin or too thick.
Equipment
Large Stockpot – You will need this to combine and cook most of your ingredients. Although you can brown the beef and saute the onions and peppers in a separate pan, I recommend doing it all in one pot!
Whisk – A whisk is necessary to combine the milk and flour smoothly. This helps to thicken the soup without creating any lumps.
Small Bowl – This is needed for the whisking of the milk and flour. It is a crucial step in the process as it helps to thicken the soup and give it a rich, creamy texture.
How to Make Hamburger Soup
Preparation
Start off by browning and thoroughly cooking the ground beef. Along with this, sauté the onions and peppers until the onions turn translucent. This step brings out the maximum flavor of these ingredients and sets the foundation for your soup.
Step 1 – Combining the Ingredients
Next, combine all the ingredients in a large pot, excluding the milk and flour. Bring the mixture to a simmer on medium-high heat. Let the soup cook until the vegetables become tender. This will take approximately twenty to twenty-five minutes. The simmering process allows the flavors of the different ingredients to meld together, creating a soup with depth and richness.
Step 2 – Thickening the Soup
Now, let’s move on to thickening the soup. To do this, take a small bowl and mix a cup of milk with flour. Make sure to whisk it well until the two ingredients are fully combined. Add this mixture to the soup and bring it to a boil. Afterward, pour in the remaining milk and reduce the heat to avoid boiling over. Allow the soup to heat through properly before serving.
Your delicious Hamburger Soup is ready to serve!
Expert Tips
Brown the ground beef thoroughly: Make sure to brown your ground beef well on medium-high heat. This will not only render out excess fat but it will also add a depth of flavor to your soup.
Thicken your soup properly: To thicken your soup, mix flour and milk separately before adding it to the soup. This helps make sure that the soup gets a creamy texture and prevents the formation of lumps.
Simmer for the right amount of time: Allow your soup to simmer until the vegetables are tender. This will guarantee that the flavors meld together well and that the vegetables are cooked to perfection.
Slow Cooker option: If you’re using a slow cooker, remember to brown the beef and sauté the vegetables first. This will enhance the flavor of your soup even when cooked slowly. Then combine all the ingredients in a slow cooker and cook it on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 4 hours.
Recipe Variations
Go for a Cheeseburger Twist: If you’re a fan of cheeseburgers, try turning your hamburger soup into a cheeseburger soup. Simply sprinkle with melted cheese on each bowl of soup before enjoying.
Boost the Flavor with Bacon: For a smoky twist, add some cooked bacon to your soup. The bacon not only intensifies the flavor but also adds a delightful crunch that contrasts with the tender vegetables and ground beef.
Make it Creamy with Sour Cream: For a rich and creamy hamburger soup, stir in a dollop of sour cream before serving. The sour cream gives the soup a tangy flavor and a creamy texture that’s simply irresistible.
Spice it up: If you like your soup with a bit of heat, add a teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes. The heat from the spices will give your hamburger soup a nice kick and enhance the overall flavor.
What to Serve With
- For a heartwarming lunch, serve this hamburger soup with a side of bread or biscuits. The bread is perfect for soaking up the flavorful beef broth and adds a delightful crunch to your meal. You can even add some croutons on top before serving!
- Want to add a cheesy twist? Top your bowl of soup with a handful of shredded cheddar cheese.
- For an added touch of freshness, garnish your soup with a sprinkle of chopped parsley. Not only does it add a burst of color, but it also lends a subtle, earthy flavor that perfectly compliments the soup.
- This hamburger soup is the perfect pairing for a light, crisp salad. The fresh, crunchy greens compliment the rich, hearty soup, creating a balanced meal that’s both satisfying and nutritious.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, this hamburger soup can be made in a slow cooker. After browning the ground beef and sautéing the vegetables, combine all the ingredients in the slow cooker and cook on low for six to seven hours or on high for four hours.
Absolutely! Feel free to add any other veggies you like to this delicious hamburger soup. Consider sautéing some mushrooms, green beans, or garlic and incorporating them into the soup for a tasty variation. You can even add celery to the soup!
I recommend ground beef for the flavor it brings to the soup, but if you don’t have it at hand, you can use ground turkey as well. Alternatively, you can add Italian sausage, bacon, or any other meat add-ins to the soup too!
Storing and Reheating
Refrigerate: After enjoying a hearty meal of hamburger soup, store any leftovers in an airtight container. They’ll stay good in the fridge for up to three days.
Freeze: This hamburger soup is freezer-friendly! Pour your leftovers into a freezer-safe container, leaving some space for expansion. Your soup can be frozen for up to six months. Remember to label your container with the date so you don’t forget when you made your delicious soup.
Thawing Instructions: When you’re ready to enjoy the soup again, let it thaw in the refrigerator. This can take up to a day, depending on the quantity, so plan ahead.
Reheating Instructions: Reheat your soup on the stove over medium heat. Stir the soup occasionally to guarantee even heating and to prevent it from sticking to the pot. Be careful not to bring it to a boil, as this can change the texture and flavor of your soup.
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Serving Size
What to Expect: This recipe makes enough soup for six servings using one pound of ground beef.
How to Scale: If you want to make more than six servings, you can double the recipe and follow the instructions as directed. Make sure to use a larger pot to cook the ingredients properly. Otherwise, you can do two batches to get the same results.
Creamy Hamburger Soup
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 Cup onions chopped
- 1/2 Cup green peppers chopped
- 1 Cup carrots sliced
- 2 Cups tomato juice
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 Cup diced potatoes
- 4 Cups milk divided
- 1/3 Cup all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Prep: Brown and cook the ground beef. Saute the onions and peppers until the onion is translucent.
- Combine: Combine all ingredients except for the milk and flour in a large stockpot. Bring to a simmer and cook until vegetables are tender, approximately 20 – 25 minutes.
- Thicken: In a small bowl, add 1 cup milk to the flour and whisk until combined. Add to soup and bring to a boil. Add remaining milk and reduce the heat so as not to boil over. Let heat through then serve.
Comments & Reviews
Randi says
Is this supposed to be tomato sauce instead of tomato juice?
Lynette Rice says
I used home canned tomato juice for this recipe when testing it. Tomato juice off the store shelves would be the closest in thickness. However, you can use plain canned tomato sauce as well.