The Best Hamburger Soup Recipe

Warm, hearty, and full of bold flavor — this easy hamburger soup recipe is the ultimate comfort food for chilly days and hungry bellies!

This soup is one that the whole family loves! I make it weekly during the winter months, especially when we have plans to spend the day outside in the cold.

There’s nothing quite like coming in from a day of skiing, sledding, or shoveling snow and being greeted by the smell of soup simmering away on the stove. It’s cozy, filling, and the kind of meal that makes everyone gather around the table without a single complaint (which, if you have teenage boys, is nothing short of a miracle).

This easy hamburger soup recipe has been a winter staple in our house for years. It’s the kind of complete meal that checks all the boxes — protein, veggies, and rice, all swimming in a rich, flavorful broth.

Whether you’re feeding a crowd, stocking the freezer, or just trying to stretch what’s in the fridge, this soup’s got you covered. Served with a side of crusty garlic bread, it’s perfect for warming up.

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Hamburger soup is one of those totally versatile recipes that you can’t mess up. I like to use whatever ingredients I have leftover in the fridge and add them to the pot, so this meal is just a little different every time we make it.

This soup is especially perfect when you have to feed a crowd of hungry teenagers or when you are having company over, but you’re not sure when they are arriving.

The Best Hamburger Soup

Hamburger soup can be made on the stovetop in a stock pot or left to simmer in the crockpot all day. Scroll down to the bottom of the post for slow cooker directions.

No matter the cooking method, the house always smells divine whenever we have a pot of this soup on the go.

Ingredients

• Lean ground beef, browned and drained – The heart of the soup! It adds rich, meaty flavor and makes this dish so satisfying.
• Medium white onion, diced – For a base that gives the soup its delicious aroma and depth. Try it with yellow or sweet onion.
• Carrots, peeled and diced – They add a pop of color and natural sweetness.
• Celery, diced – Gives a little crunch and balances the texture of the soup perfectly.
• Canned diced tomatoes, drained – For that rich, savory bite.
• Beef stock or broth – This liquid gold deepens the soup’s flavor and keeps things hearty.
• Ketchup – Adds a tangy twist that complements the hamburger meat beautifully.
• Mustard – A secret ingredient that gives the soup a little zip and warmth.
• Bay leaf – Toss one in for that classic, comforting aroma.
• Fresh parsley, chopped – Brightens everything up with a pop of color and freshness.
• Dried thyme – Earthy, fragrant, and the perfect partner for beef and vegetables.
• Salt and pepper – Don’t be shy — they make the flavor sing!
• White instant rice – Rice soaks up all that savory broth, but you can swap it for another grain, pasta, potatoes, or cauliflower rice if you prefer.

Instructions

1. In a large pot, brown the ground beef over medium heat, then drain off any extra grease.

2. Stir in the onion, carrots, and celery, cooking until the veggies begin to soften.

3. Add in the tomatoes, beef broth, ketchup, mustard, bay leaves, thyme, salt, pepper, and rice. Give it a good stir and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

4. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 30 minutes.

5. Reduce the temperature to low and cook for an additional 30 minutes.

Tip: As the rice cooks, it’ll absorb some of the liquid. Add a splash more broth if your soup gets too thick.

6. Serve with crusty bread or garlic toast for dipping.

This easy recipe makes 6-8 servings and can easily be doubled for larger crowds. It’s the perfect make-ahead meal for busy families!

Storing and Reheating

Hamburger vegetable soup can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. We also freeze it for up to 3 months.

Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of broth to loosen it up. Honestly, this hearty soup tastes even better the next day — the flavors really come together overnight!

Substitutions

• Use long grain or brown rice instead of white.
• One of the boys is not a fan of large chunks of tomato so, for him, I often swap out the diced tomatoes for our homemade tomato sauce instead. Tomato paste or tomato soup would work too!
• Add green beans, bell peppers, frozen corn, or peas.
• Cauliflower rice may be used, instead of white, for a keto version of this soup.
• Substitute beef broth, chicken broth, or consumme for stock.
• Add diced red potatoes, sweet potatoes, or pasta instead of rice.
• Ground turkey or sausage can be used instead of lean beef.
• Top with diced green onion or fresh chopped parsley.
• Add Italian seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, onion powder, or garlic powder to taste.

One of my favorite substitutions in this soup is using cauliflower rice instead of white rice for a low carb version. Be sure to check out my low carb hamburger soup recipe for more details.

This is a very forgiving recipe. Experimenting and adding extra ingredients is encouraged!

Tips and Tricks

• Use a wide, heavy-bottomed soup pot to help the beef brown evenly and prevent scorching.
• For a thicker, stew-like texture, mash a few cooked potatoes right in the soup pot before serving.
• To keep your vegetables from getting mushy if the soup will be simmering for a long time, cut them into slightly larger chunks.
• Ladle out leftovers into single-serving containers for easy grab-and-go lunches throughout the week.
• This soup freezes beautifully — let it cool, then pack in airtight containers and store for up to 3 months.

This easy soup recipe can also be made in the Instant Pot and makes a delicious crockpot hamburger soup that can be left to simmer all day. This is a family favorite that makes the perfect, simple-to-prepare hearty meal the the whole family loves!

Crockpot Directions

Toss all the ingredients into a 7-quart crockpot and cook on low for 6–8 hours. The flavor will deepen and the veggies will turn perfectly tender. Serve with warm rolls or garlic toast and dig in!

A warm bowl of hamburger soup is comfort food at its finest — hearty, wholesome, and loaded with cozy vibes. Whether you’re feeding your family after a day on the slopes or just craving something that tastes like home, this recipe hits the spot every single time.

If you love this hamburger soup recipe, please give it a five-star review and help me share it on Facebook or Pinterest so that other can enjoy it too!

The Best Hamburger Soup Recipe

This is the best hamburger soup recipe – packed full of flavor, this easy-to-make soup is the ultimate comfort food!

5 from 1 vote

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes

Author: Heather Painchaud

Servings: 6 servings

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Ingredients

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• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 medium onion diced
• 2 carrot stalks diced
• 2 celery stalks diced
• 14 oz can diced tomatoes drained
• 5 cups beef stock
• 2 Tbsp ketchup
• 1 Tbsp mustard
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp fresh parsley chopped
• ½ tsp thyme
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 cup white instant rice

Instructions

• In a large stock pot, cook beef and drain any excess oil.
• Add remaining ingredients to the pot and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
• Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
• Reduce temperature to low and cook for an additional 30 minutes.
• Serve with crusty French bread or garlic toast for dipping.

Video

Notes

• As the rice cooks, it’ll absorb some of the liquid. Add a splash more broth if your soup gets too thick.
• Use a wide, heavy-bottomed soup pot to help the beef brown evenly and prevent scorching.
• For a thicker, stew-like texture, mash a few cooked potatoes right in the soup pot before serving.
• To keep your vegetables from getting mushy if the soup will be simmering for a long time, cut them into slightly larger chunks.
• Ladle out leftovers into single-serving containers for easy grab-and-go lunches throughout the week.
• This soup freezes beautifully — let it cool, then pack in airtight containers and store for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 268kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 67mg | Sodium: 1026mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g

Hello, I’m Heather!

I'm an active mom of twin boys who is always looking for opportunities to inspire creativity through fun crafts, do-it-yourself projects and delicious recipes. This blog has been an integral part of supporting my little family and I am so grateful to have you become a part of our journey! Let's create together... Read more...