Hearty Homemade Hamburger Soup Recipe

Updated on: December 17, 2025

A steaming bowl of hearty hamburger soup recipe with ground beef, potatoes, carrots, peas, corn, and green beans in a two-toned ceramic bowl on a modern kitchen counter.

Craving a warm, comforting meal that’s both simple to make and incredibly satisfying? This hamburger soup recipe is your answer! It’s the ultimate one-pot wonder, packed with savory ground beef, tender vegetables, and a rich tomato broth. You’ll love how easy it is to create a hearty, family-friendly dinner with minimal effort.

Why You’ll Love This Hamburger Soup

This comforting hamburger soup recipe is a true weeknight hero, perfect for busy parents and beginners. Here’s why it will quickly become a family favorite:

Quick and Simple: It’s a one-pot meal that comes together in under an hour, making dinner a breeze.
Budget-Friendly: Uses common, inexpensive pantry staples you likely already have on hand.
Hearty and Satisfying: Loaded with ground beef and vegetables, it’s a hearty and satisfying meal on its own.
Packed with Flavor: A rich tomato base and savory seasonings create a taste everyone will adore.
Easily Customizable: Adjust ingredients to suit your family’s preferences and what you have available.

Ingredients

Gather these simple ingredients to create your delicious hamburger soup recipe:

1 pound lean ground beef
1 onion, yellow or white, diced
2 cloves garlic, fresh, minced
2 medium potatoes, starchy (like Russet), peeled and diced
3 ½ cups beef broth
28 ounces canned diced tomatoes, undrained (1 large can)
10.75 ounces condensed tomato soup (1 can)
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 bay leaf, large
Salt and black pepper, to taste
3 cups frozen mixed vegetables

Notes & Substitutions

For the ground beef, use lean ground beef to minimize excess fat. The American Heart Association certifies extra lean ground beef as part of a heart-healthy diet, providing essential protein and nutrients. Learn more about the nutritional benefits of lean ground beef. If using a higher fat content, ensure you drain it thoroughly. You can substitute dried minced onion or garlic powder if fresh isn’t available, using about 1 teaspoon of each. For potatoes, Yukon Golds or red potatoes also work well. Feel free to swap frozen mixed vegetables for fresh chopped carrots, celery, or green beans. Any good quality beef broth will work here, but low-sodium options are great for controlling salt levels.

Equipment

You won’t need many fancy tools to make this easy beef and vegetable soup:

A large Dutch oven or a sturdy pot (at least 5-quart capacity)
Cutting board and a sharp knife
Measuring cups and spoons
A wooden spoon or spatula for stirring

Instructions

Follow these step-by-step directions to create the perfect hearty hamburger soup recipe:

Prepare Ingredients: Start by dicing your onion and potatoes. Mince the fresh garlic cloves. Having everything prepped before you start cooking makes the process smooth and quick.
Brown Beef & Aromatics: Heat your large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat. Add the lean ground beef, diced onion, and minced garlic. Cook, breaking up the beef with your wooden spoon, until the beef is fully browned and the onion is softened, about 5-7 minutes.
Drain Fat: Carefully drain any excess fat from the pot. This prevents your hamburger soup from becoming greasy and keeps it lighter. You can use a spoon or tilt the pot and carefully pour off the fat.
Add Liquids & Seasonings: Return the pot to the heat. Stir in the beef broth, canned diced tomatoes (with their juices), condensed tomato soup, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, and the bay leaf. Give everything a good stir to combine.
Simmer Potatoes: Add the diced potatoes to the pot. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Once simmering, cover the pot and let it cook for 10 minutes. This gives the potatoes a head start on softening.
Add Vegetables: After 10 minutes, stir in the frozen mixed vegetables. The heat of the soup will quickly thaw and begin to cook them.
Finish Cooking: Continue to simmer the soup, uncovered this time, for another 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are completely tender when pierced with a fork. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Season & Serve: Carefully remove and discard the bay leaf. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed. Serve your warm, comforting hearty ground beef soup hot, garnished as desired.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

Making this simple hamburger soup is straightforward, but these tips ensure the best results:

Proper Beef Browning: Don’t rush browning the beef. A good sear develops rich flavor, which is key to a delicious soup.
Prevent Overcooking Potatoes: Keep an eye on the potatoes during the final simmer. Overcooked potatoes can become mushy.
Adjust Seasoning: Always taste and adjust salt and pepper at the end. Different broths and canned goods vary in sodium content.
Thickening or Thinning: If the soup is too thick, add a splash more beef broth or water. If it’s too thin, simmer uncovered for longer to reduce, or stir in a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp cold water) and simmer for a few minutes.

Common Mistakes

Not Draining Excess Fat: Skipping this step makes your soup greasy.
Adding Vegetables Too Early: This can result in mushy, overcooked vegetables.
Forgetting to Remove Bay Leaf: Bay leaves impart flavor but are not meant to be eaten.

Serving, Storage, & Variations

This versatile beef and vegetable soup is wonderful on its own, but here are some ideas to enhance your meal.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this hearty ground beef soup with a side of warm, crusty bread or garlic bread for dipping. A simple green salad makes a nice light accompaniment. Garnish individual bowls with fresh chopped parsley or chives for a pop of color and freshness. A dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese also adds a lovely creamy touch.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftover hamburger soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. This hearty soup is also very freezer-friendly! Allow it to cool completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers or bags. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen soup overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat until warmed through, or in the microwave in individual portions.

Recipe Variations

Make it Cheesy: Stir in 1 cup of shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese during the last few minutes of simmering, or sprinkle it on top of individual bowls.
Add Pasta: For an even heartier meal, stir in 1 cup of elbow macaroni or small shell pasta with the mixed vegetables. You may need to add a bit more broth or water as the pasta cooks.
Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the Italian seasoning for a subtle kick.
Different Protein: While a classic hamburger soup recipe uses ground beef, you could experiment with ground turkey or even leftover shredded beef roast.

Nutrition

This homemade beef vegetable soup provides a balanced meal with protein, fiber, and essential vitamins from the vegetables. Making it at home allows you to control the ingredients, ensuring a wholesome and nutritious option for your family. Remember, specific nutritional values can vary based on ingredients and brands used.

Nutrient	Per Serving (approx.)
Calories	350-400
Protein	25-30g
Fat	15-20g
Carbohydrates	30-35g
Fiber	5-7g

Disclaimer: These are approximate values and may vary based on specific brands and quantities of ingredients used.

FAQ

Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can! Brown the beef and aromatics first, then add all ingredients (except frozen vegetables) to the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Stir in frozen vegetables for the last 30-60 minutes.

How do I thicken the soup?
To thicken this hamburger soup recipe, create a slurry with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons of cold water. Stir it into the simmering soup and cook for a few minutes until it thickens.

Can I use fresh vegetables instead?
Absolutely! Chop your favorite fresh vegetables like carrots, celery, green beans, or corn. Add harder vegetables like carrots and celery with the potatoes, and softer ones later with the mixed vegetables.

Is this recipe freezer-friendly?
Yes, it is! This hearty ground beef soup freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Just ensure it’s completely cooled before freezing in airtight containers.

What other meats can I use?
While this is a classic ground beef recipe, you can substitute ground turkey or even ground chicken for a lighter version. Just adjust cooking times as needed.

Conclusion

This hearty homemade hamburger soup recipe truly embodies comfort food at its finest. It’s a testament to how simple ingredients can come together to create something incredibly delicious, warming, and deeply satisfying for the whole family. We hope you’ll give this easy one-pot meal a try soon. Share your experiences and any creative twists you add – we love hearing how you make these recipes your own!