Easy Ground Beef Vegetable Soup
This Easy Ground Beef Vegetable Soup, or commonly called Hamburger Soup, is the perfect easy soup recipe for a busy day. Our 30 minute soup recipe is a flavorful ground beef based soup loaded with vegetables, lean ground beef, diced tomatoes and potatoes. It’s a one-pot dinner that makes it an easy cozy soup recipe!
Hamburger Soup is a quick and easy ground beef recipe, but don’t worry, as simple as it is to make, it’s still packed with flavor. And best of all, it hits 5 major wins:
- It’s great made ahead of time
- Totally budget friendly
- A one pot meal
- Reheats well, even better than day 1
- AND freezes perfectly!
Mom’s Wisdom
One of the first things I learned when I got married was that my mom’s budget-food recipes she sent me off to college with were exactly what I needed as a busy newlywed as well. Easy beef vegetable soup is a filling and inexpensive recipe that makes life so much easier when you’re trying to get dinner on the table.
Mom taught me that homemade soups are super easy to throw together and they’re much tastier than store-bought canned soup, plus healthier too. I like to make a double batch so I can eat one and freeze one!
Carrian’s Tips
If you’re not in a hurry, reduce the broth. Letting the broth simmer and reduce for 30-35 minutes or even all afternoon will concentrate the flavors and slightly thicken the soup.
Taste for seasoning OFTEN. Taste the broth as some broths are extra salty. After adding all of the ingredients, taste it again before serving. This is where you can bring a little personality with smoked paprika, extra salt, hot sauce etc. to make it to your liking.
Ingredients for Ground Beef and Vegetable Soup
- Olive Oil: Used to sauté the onion, garlic, and veggies. It adds flavor and helps everything soften before the broth goes in.
- White Onion: Builds the savory flavor base for the soup. Onions add natural sweetness and depth.
- Ground Beef: The hearty protein that makes this soup filling and comforting. Browning it first adds rich flavor. We use 90/10.
- Garlic: Adds aromatic depth and classic savory notes that round out the broth.
- Carrots: Add sweetness, color, and texture while bringing natural balance to the savory beef.
- Celery: Contributes a mild, earthy flavor that pairs with onion and carrots for a classic soup base.
- Tomato Paste: Intensifies the tomato flavor and adds richness and body to the broth.
- Russet Potatoes: Make the soup hearty and filling, while their starch helps naturally thicken the broth.
Ingredients continued…
- Beef Broth: The main liquid base, enhancing the beef flavor and tying all the ingredients together. You can also use water with beef bouillon.
- Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes: Add a smoky, tangy depth and little bursts of tomato flavor throughout the soup.
- Worcestershire Sauce: A splash of umami and tang that boosts the savory richness of the beef.
- Bay Leaf: Infuses the broth with a subtle earthy, herbal note while it simmers.
- Frozen Mixed Vegetables: Quick, convenient way to add more veggies, color, and nutrition without extra chopping. I like to find one that has corn, green beans, peas and carrots included.
- Italian Seasoning: A balanced blend of herbs (like oregano, basil, thyme) that gives the soup a warm, comforting flavor.
- Salt: Enhances and balances all the other flavors.
- Black Pepper: Adds a mild kick and balances the richness of the beef.
- Fresh Parsley: Sprinkled at the end for freshness, color, and a bright finishing note.
How to Make Hearty Ground Beef Soup
- Sauté: Heat a little oil in a dutch oven over medium heat, then add the onion, ground beef, carrots and celery until the beef is cooked through. Drain the excess fat.
- Combine: Add the tomato paste and stir into the meat followed by the potatoes, broth, tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, seasoning and bay leaf.
- Simmer: Let the soup simmer for 10 minutes with a lid on.
- Add: Now add in the remaining ingredients (except the parsley).
- Simmer: Let the soup simmer for another 15-20 minutes.
- Serve: Sprinkle each bowl with fresh chopped parsley and serve with some yummy crusty bread.
What to Serve with Hamburger Soup
While the soup is simmering, I like to prepare a quick salad which helps to lighten up the meal, while my mom would always slice up a loaf of french bread or even serve sandwich bread… yes, sandwich bread, it was the 90s. 😉 You could also make some quick dinner rolls to go with it.
FAQ
Can ground beef vegetable soup be made in the slow cooker? Yes, absolutely! Brown the ground beef on the stove top first, and then add all the ingredients to the slow cooker and let it cook on low all day (5-6 hours) or on high for 2-3 hours.
How do I thicken the broth? The starch from the potatoes should help thicken the broth but if you want it thicker, you can make a cornstarch slurry to thicken it up.
can I use ground chicken or turkey? Yes! Ground turkey and chicken both make great substitutes in this recipe. They will be a little less flavorful, but will be lower in fat.
Storing and Reheating
Leftovers should be stored in the fridge in an airtight container. It will keep for 4-5 days. It can be reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop.
This is also a freezer-friendly soup recipe. Let the soup cool completely and pour it into a freezer safe container. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let it thaw in the refrigerator and then reheat on the stovetop until heated through.
This ground beef vegetable soup with potatoes is the perfect mix of healthy and hearty. A simple recipe that’s freezer-friendly, budget-friendly, and always delicious!
Watch Our Video on How to Make Ground Beef Vegetable Soup Recipe
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Ground Beef Veggie Soup
This Quick Ground Beef Vegetable Soup, or commonly called Hamburger Soup, is the perfect easy soup recipe for a busy day.
Course 50 of the Best Easy Soup Recipes for Families
Keyword budget friendly, easy, easy dinner, fall, family, ground beef, soup
Prep Time 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes minutes
Total Time 50 minutes minutes
Servings 10
Calories 235kcal
Author Carrian Cheney
In a large dutch oven over medium heat, add a drizzle of oil. Add the onion, ground beef, garlic, carrots and celery, and cook until no pink remains. Drain any fat.
1 teaspoon Olive Oil, 1 White Onion, 1 Pound Ground Beef, 2 Cloves Garlic, 1 Cup Carrots, 1 Cup Celery
Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring into the meat until well mixed.
1 Tablespoon Tomato Paste
Add potatoes, broth, tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, seasoning and bay leaf.
2 Russet Potatoes, 8 Cups Beef Broth, 28 oz Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes, 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce, 1 Bay Leaf
Simmer covered 10 minutes.
Stir in vegetables, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper and simmer 15-20 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
3 Cups Frozen Mixed Vegetables, 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning, 1 teaspoon Salt, Black Pepper
Serve with fresh chopped parsley and crusty sour dough bread.
¼ Cup Parsley
Serving: 1.5cups | Calories: 235kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 1180mg | Potassium: 646mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 5431IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 82mg | Iron: 3mg
READ: Easy Ground Beef Vegetable Soup