🍲 Hamburger Soup

This classic Hamburger Soup is a cozy, hearty one-pot meal made with seasoned ground beef, tender potatoes, vegetables, tomatoes, and a rich beefy broth. Worcestershire sauce adds a savory depth that makes the simple ingredients taste wonderfully satisfying.

It’s an easy weeknight dinner that’s filling, comforting, and even better the next day.

Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings
• Difficulty: Easy
• Method: One-Pot

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
• 5 cups beef broth
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, with juices
• 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables, optional
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

1. Brown the Beef

Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.

Add the ground beef and cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks.

Continue until the beef is browned and no longer pink.

If there is a large amount of excess fat, carefully drain some of it from the pot.

2. Sauté the Aromatics

Add the chopped onion and celery to the browned beef.

Cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften.

Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30–60 seconds, just until fragrant.

3. Season

Add the salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika.

Stir well so the seasonings coat the beef and vegetables.

4. Add the Broth and Tomatoes

Pour in the beef broth.

Add the diced tomatoes with their juices, tomato sauce, and Worcestershire sauce.

Stir everything together, scraping the bottom of the pot to loosen any browned bits.

5. Add the Potatoes

Stir in the diced potatoes.

If using frozen mixed vegetables, add them as well.

Bring the soup to a gentle boil.

6. Simmer

Reduce the heat to medium-low and partially cover the pot.

Simmer for approximately 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are fork-tender.

Avoid boiling too aggressively, as this can cause the potatoes to break apart and make the broth cloudy.

7. Taste and Adjust

Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning.

Add more salt, black pepper, or Worcestershire sauce if desired.

For a slightly sweeter tomato flavor, add ½ teaspoon sugar if needed.

8. Serve

Ladle the hot soup into bowls.

Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

A warm crusty loaf of bread makes the perfect accompaniment.

Chef’s Tips

• Cut the potatoes evenly so they finish cooking at the same time.
• Ground chuck gives the soup excellent flavor, while lean ground beef keeps it lighter.
• If using a fattier ground beef, drain excess grease after browning.
• Don’t skip the Worcestershire sauce—it adds a deep savory flavor to the broth.
• Simmer gently rather than rapidly boiling to keep the potatoes intact.
• For a thicker soup, simmer uncovered for an additional 5–10 minutes.

Easy Variations

🥕 Vegetable Hamburger Soup

Add carrots, green beans, corn, peas, or frozen mixed vegetables for a more vegetable-packed soup.

🧀 Cheeseburger Soup

Stir in 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese during the final few minutes for a cheeseburger-inspired version.

🌶️ Spicy Hamburger Soup

Add ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño.

🫘 Hamburger & Bean Soup

Add one drained and rinsed can of kidney beans or cannellini beans.

🍝 Hamburger Vegetable Soup

Add ½ cup small pasta such as elbow macaroni during the final 8–10 minutes of cooking. Add extra broth if necessary.

🌿 Herb Garden Version

Add fresh thyme, parsley, or rosemary for a more aromatic flavor.

Make-Ahead

Hamburger Soup is excellent for meal prep because the flavor develops as it sits.

Cool completely, transfer to airtight containers, and refrigerate.

Refrigerator

Store for up to 4 days.

Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until steaming hot.

Freezer

Freeze in individual portions for up to 3 months.

Allow frozen soup to thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat gently.

If freezing, potatoes may soften slightly after thawing, but the soup will still be delicious.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with:

• Crusty French bread
• Garlic bread
• Buttermilk biscuits
• Dinner rolls
• Grilled cheese sandwiches
• A simple green salad

For extra richness, top each bowl with a little shredded cheddar cheese and fresh parsley.

The Result

Savory ground beef, tender potatoes, sweet tomatoes, and hearty vegetables simmer together in a rich beef broth for the ultimate comforting bowl of soup. It’s simple, economical, and satisfying enough to make a complete family dinner. 🍲