Easy Hamburger Soup

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Easy Hamburger Soup is ground beef, a pile of diced vegetables, and beef broth, and it comes together in under 30 minutes on a weeknight. I use fire-roasted tomatoes instead of plain ones, which makes all the difference. They add a smoky depth you cannot get from a regular can, and they do not make it spicy. Sweet potatoes go in instead of white potatoes because they hold their shape better in leftovers. Make it Sunday and eat it Thursday; it gets better sitting in the fridge.

Plus, it's versatile enough that you can add leftover vegetables you have on hand, making it a practical choice for any meal. The savory, hearty flavor of this soup, along with the veggies, makes it a great family meal for any day of the week. It's filling and truly satisfying.

This soup is completely forgiving, and you can add any leftover fresh vegetables you have, like broccoli, snow peas, green beans, even cauliflower.  Or use those leftover bags of frozen vegetables in the back of your freezer: peas, corn, green beans, carrots.

I highly recommend making this hamburger soup during the cold winter months. It's gluten free, dairy free, and perfect for the whole family. Trust me, once you've tried this soup, you'll be making it again and again!

Why You'll Love This Hamburger Soup

• Quick and Easy: This hamburger soup recipe is the epitome of simplicity and speed. With just a few steps and under thirty minutes, you can have a hearty, flavorful soup ready to serve.
• Gluten-Free: This soup is perfect for those with dietary restrictions as it is completely gluten free. Use gluten free beef broth if needed. It's a tasty option that everyone can enjoy!
• Family-Friendly: This soup is a crowd-pleaser that the entire family will love. Loaded with sweet potatoes, carrots, peppers, onions, celery, and fire-roasted tomatoes, it's a wholesome dish that will keep everyone satisfied.
• Versatile: One of the great things about this hamburger soup is its versatility. You can add any leftover fresh vegetables you have on hand, or even those bags of frozen veggies that are hiding in the back of your freezer.
• Perfect for Beginners: With its straightforward instructions and easy-to-find ingredients, this hamburger soup recipe is perfect for beginner cooks. This foolproof recipe is sure to impress!

Ingredients

This hamburger soup recipe is incredibly easy to whip up with ingredients that are simple to find at your local grocery store. You may already have many of them in your pantry or fridge!

• Olive Oil: Olive oil is a healthy fat that's perfect for sautéing. Use it to brown the ground beef and sauté the veggies for rich flavor.
• Lean Ground Beef: I used a lean cut to keep the soup light and healthy. Ground beef adds a hearty, meaty flavor that makes this soup satisfying and filling.
• Garlic: Diced garlic cloves add a punch of flavor to this soup. They add savory depth that complements the other ingredients wonderfully.
• Onion: Diced onion adds a slightly sweet, aromatic flavor that forms the backbone of this soup. It is a classic ingredient in many soup recipes for a reason!
• Red Pepper: This adds a pop of color and a touch of sweetness. Red peppers also contribute to the dish's overall nutrition, as they're packed with vitamins.
• Carrots: Diced carrots bring a hint of sweetness and a lovely crunch. They also add a vibrant color that makes this soup visually appealing.
• Celery: Celery adds a fresh, crisp flavor and texture. It is a classic ingredient in many soups and stews because it adds depth of flavor.
• Sweet Potatoes: These add a natural sweetness and a hearty texture to the soup. Sweet potatoes are also packed with vitamins and fiber, making them a healthy addition.
• Beef Broth: This forms the soup's liquid foundation. It is rich and savory, and if you're following a gluten free diet, use a gluten free variety.
• Fire-Roasted Diced Tomatoes: These tomatoes add a smoky flavor and a bit of acidity to balance out the sweetness of the other ingredients. If you don't have fire-roasted, regular diced tomatoes will work just fine.
• Salt, Ground Pepper, and Montreal Steak seasoning: These seasonings enhance the flavors of the other ingredients and add depth to the soup. Feel free to adjust the quantities to suit your taste.
• Frozen Peas: These add a pop of color and a slight sweetness to the soup. Plus, they're a great way to sneak in some extra veggies!

Make It the Classic Way

If you grew up on the old-school version, swap the sweet potatoes for 2 cups of diced russet or Yukon Gold and add a cup of frozen green beans with the peas.

Everything else stays the same. Russets break down a little more than sweet potatoes do, so they thicken the broth. Add them at the same point in the recipe.

That version reheats fine, but the potatoes soften by day three. If you are making it for the week, stay with sweet potatoes.

How to Make Hamburger Soup

Making this delicious soup is incredibly easy. Let me share with you exactly how to make a hearty hamburger soup that's not only delicious but also gluten-free. For more detailed instructions, see the recipe card at the end of this post.

Step 1.

Cook the Ground Beef: Cook the ground beef in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat until it is no longer pink. If you're using lean meat, there shouldn't be much grease, but if you're using a higher-fat-content meat, you may need to drain the fat. Once cooked, set the meat aside.

Step 2.

Sauté the Veggies: In the same pan, add a tablespoon of olive oil, followed by garlic, onion, peppers, carrots, and celery. Sauté these until the onions start to turn translucent.

Step 3.

Combine Ingredients: Now add the cooked beef back to the pot along with the remaining ingredients.

Step 4.

Simmer the Soup: Turn up the heat to bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook uncovered for about 10-15 minutes, letting the flavors meld.

Step 5.

Season Your Soup: Finally, taste your soup and add more seasoning if needed. Remember, Montreal Steak seasoning is quite salty, so be careful not to overdo it. Enjoy your homemade, gluten free hamburger soup!

Slow Cooker Hamburger Soup

Brown the ground beef with the onion and garlic first. Don't skip this and dump it in raw; you'll lose all the browning, and the soup will taste flat.

Move the beef to the slow cooker with everything except the peas. Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3.

Stir the frozen peas in during the last 15 minutes so they stay bright green instead of going gray.

Variations

• Extra Veggies: Want to make the most of your leftover veggies? Toss in any fresh vegetables like broccoli, snow peas, green beans, or even cauliflower. You can also add those leftover bags of frozen vegetables from your freezer. Adjust the seasonings as needed to keep the soup flavorful.
• Spice It Up: If you're a fan of heat, try adding a diced jalapeño or a pinch of red pepper flakes to your hamburger soup. It'll add a spicy kick that'll warm you up from the inside out.
• Extra Protein: For more protein, add a can of drained and rinsed kidney or black beans to the soup. They'll add a nice texture and boost the protein content.
• Veggie Hamburger Soup: Want to make this soup vegetarian? Swap out the ground beef for a plant-based alternative or add more veggies for a hearty, meat-free meal. Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
• Chicken Version: If you're not a fan of beef or simply want to try something different, replace the ground beef with ground chicken or turkey. This will give your soup a lighter taste while still keeping it hearty and satisfying.

Ground Beef and Sweet Potato

This is the reason sweet potatoes are in here instead of white ones. They go soft without falling apart, and the sweetness plays against the fire-roasted tomatoes and the Montreal Steak seasoning.

Dice them to a half inch. If they're bigger than that, they'll still be firm when the rest of the soup is done.

If you want to lean harder into that pairing, use 3 cups of sweet potato instead of 2 and drop the carrots. It changes the soup into something closer to a stew.

Helpful Tips

Whipping up a pot of this hamburger soup is as simple as it gets, but here are a few expert tips to make sure your soup is flavorful and hearty every time.

• Choose lean ground beef: Opt for lean ground beef (I recommend about 90% lean) to keep the soup healthier and less greasy. If you end up with a higher fat content, drain off the excess fat after browning the beef.
• Use fire-roasted tomatoes: If you have them on hand, fire-roasted diced tomatoes add a lovely smoky flavor to the soup. But don't worry, regular diced tomatoes will work just fine too.
• Adjust the seasoning: Montreal Steak seasoning is a great addition to this soup, but remember it is quite salty. Start with a teaspoon and then adjust to your taste.
• Ensure your broth is gluten free: If you're following a gluten free diet, double-check your beef broth is gluten free too. Not all brands are, so check the label.
• Play around with vegetables: This soup is incredibly forgiving, so feel free to add any leftover fresh or frozen vegetables you have on hand. It is a great way to use up what's in your fridge or freezer and add extra nutrition to your meal.
• Let the flavors meld: Once all your ingredients are in the pot, let it simmer for about ten to fifteen minutes. This lets the flavors meld beautifully, creating a soup that's rich, hearty, and delicious.

Want a fall dessert after dinner? Make my gluten free apple crisp.

Dietary Substitutions

This hearty hamburger soup recipe can be easily modified to suit various dietary needs, but it's already gluten free as is. Here's how you can adapt it to be vegan, dairy free, paleo, whole30, and keto-compatible:

• To Make This Recipe Vegan and Dairy-Free: Replace the ground beef with a plant-based meat substitute. Also, use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
• To Make This Recipe Paleo and Whole30 Friendly: This recipe is already paleo- and Whole30-friendly. Just use grass-fed beef and organic vegetables to stay within the guidelines of these diets.
• To Make This Recipe Keto-Friendly: To make this hamburger soup keto-friendly, simply omit the sweet potatoes and peas, which are higher in carbs. You can replace them with more keto-friendly vegetables like zucchini or spinach if you like.

Storage Instructions

• To Refrigerate: After enjoying your hearty hamburger soup, store any leftovers in an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to four days, making it a great option for quick and easy lunches throughout the week.
• To Freeze: This soup is packed with a variety of vegetables and is completely freezer-friendly! To freeze, simply transfer the cooled soup into a freezer-safe container or a resealable freezer bag. Store it in the freezer for up to three months to keep a nutritious, gluten-free meal ready whenever you need it.
• To Reheat: When you're ready to enjoy your soup again, thaw it overnight in the fridge. Once thawed, reheat it in the microwave using the defrost setting, or warm it slowly in a large pot on the stovetop. Just stir occasionally to ensure even heating.

More ground beef dinners? Try my homemade sloppy joes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Serving Suggestions

This hearty hamburger soup is versatile and pairs well with a variety of meals. Here are some of my favorite serving suggestions:

• Salads: A bowl of this hamburger soup perfectly complements salads like a spiced sweet potato and kale salad, a Greek Zucchini noodle salad, or a gluten-free pasta salad.
• Mains: This soup makes a warm, comforting appetizer for main dishes like roast chicken, herbed skirt steak, or a tender London broil.
• Sides: Lighten your meal by pairing this soup with gluten free garlic bread, oven-roasted corn, or a quinoa and vegetable stir-fry.
• For Pasta Night: Serve this soup as a starter for a pasta night! It pairs well with gluten free spaghetti Bolognese, creamy Alfredo pasta, or a hearty lasagna.

Recipe

Adapted from Allrecipes