This Easy Hamburger Beef Soup is a simple, hearty, and incredibly satisfying meal that's perfect for a weeknight dinner! It's packed with flavorful ground beef, tender vegetables like celery and green beans, and a rich tomato-based broth. I love how this recipe uses basic pantry staples and comes together quickly, making it a go-to comfort food option. It's a budget-friendly, family-friendly soup that's sure to warm you up!
Why You'll Love This Hamburger Beef Soup
- Hearty and Filling: Loaded with ground beef and vegetables, this soup is a truly satisfying meal.
- Easy to Make: Uses simple ingredients and straightforward stovetop instructions.
- Quick: Comes together relatively quickly, making it great for weeknights.
- Comfort Food Classic: A warm, comforting, and familiar soup that everyone enjoys.
- Budget-Friendly: Utilizes affordable ingredients like ground beef and canned goods.
Ingredients for Hamburger Beef Soup
Here's what you'll need to make this comforting soup. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Main Ingredients
- Lean ground beef (Meat)
- Olive oil (Oil)
- Onion, finely diced (Vegetable)
- Celery stalks, thinly sliced (Vegetable)
- Garlic, halved (Aromatic)
- Diced tomatoes (canned or fresh), undrained (Vegetable)
- Tomato sauce (canned) (Sauce)
- Beef broth (Liquid)
- Green beans (fresh or frozen), diced (Vegetable)
Seasoning
- Salt (Seasoning)
- Fresh cracked pepper (Spice)
- Italian seasoning (Spice Blend)
Garnish (Optional)
- Chopped fresh parsley (Herb)
- Shredded cheese (sharp cheddar recommended) (Dairy)
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love this Hamburger Beef Soup as is, but here are a few ideas for variations:
- Add Potatoes or Pasta: Stir in some diced potatoes or small pasta shapes (like elbow macaroni) along with the broth and simmer until tender.
- Different Vegetables: Add other vegetables like carrots, corn, peas, or zucchini.
- Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.
- Different Meat: Use ground turkey or Italian sausage instead of ground beef.
- Add Beans: Stir in a can of drained kidney beans or pinto beans.
How to Make Hamburger Beef Soup
Let me show you how easy it is to make this Easy Hamburger Beef Soup:
Sauté Vegetables
- I heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
- I add the diced onion and sliced celery to the pot.
- I cook for 5-6 minutes, until softened.
Brown the Beef and Garlic
- I add the ground beef to the pot and season it with salt and pepper to taste.
- I cook, breaking up the ground beef with a spoon, until it's browned and mostly cooked through.
- I add the halved garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds more.
Add Tomatoes, Broth, and Seasoning
- I add the diced tomatoes (undrained), tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, and beef broth to the pot.
- I bring the mixture to a simmer.
Simmer
- I cook the soup for 25-30 minutes.
- I taste and season with salt and pepper if needed.
Add Green Beans and Finish
- I stir in the green beans and cook for 5-10 minutes more, until tender.
Garnish and Serve
- Garnish and serve
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Hamburger Soup
Here are my secrets for making this soup truly exceptional:
- Use Lean Ground Beef: This minimizes the amount of grease you need to drain.
- Brown the Beef Well: Browning the beef adds depth of flavor to the soup.
- Scrape the Pot: After adding the broth, scrape the bottom of the pot to incorporate any flavorful browned bits.
- Simmer for Flavor: Allowing the soup to simmer lets the flavors meld together beautifully.
- Don't Overcook Green Beans: Add the green beans towards the end so they stay crisp-tender.
How to Serve
This Hamburger Beef Soup is delicious served:
- On its Own: A hearty and complete meal.
- With Cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top before serving.
- With Crackers or Bread: Perfect for dipping! Serve with saltine crackers or crusty bread.
- With a Dollop of Sour Cream: Adds a cool, tangy element.
Make Ahead and Storage
This soup tastes even better the next day! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. 1 You can also freeze this soup for up to 3 months.
FAQs about Hamburger Beef Soup
- Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?
- Yes, use about 2 cups of fresh diced tomatoes. You might need to add a little extra broth or water if using fresh.
- Can I make this in a slow cooker?
- Yes. Brown the beef, onions, and garlic first, then transfer everything to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Add green beans during the last 30 minutes.
- Can I make this vegetarian?
- Absolutely! Substitute the ground beef with plant-based crumbles or add extra beans and vegetables. Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
Enjoy this hearty, comforting, and easy-to-make Hamburger Beef Soup! It's a perfect meal for a chilly evening.
Print
Easy Hamburger Beef Soup
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6-8 1x
- Category: Soup, Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Hamburger Beef Soup is a hearty, comforting, and easy-to-make soup packed with ground beef, vegetables, and a flavorful tomato broth. It's a perfect weeknight meal for the whole family.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450g) lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- 1 (15-ounce / 425g) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (8-ounce / 225g) can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 5 cups (1 ¼ liters) low-sodium beef broth
- ½ cup diced green beans (fresh or frozen)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
- Shredded cheese (such as sharp cheddar), for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and sliced celery. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Brown Beef: Add the ground beef to the pot with the vegetables. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook, breaking up the ground beef with a spoon or spatula, until it's browned and mostly cooked through.
- Add Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for about 30 seconds more, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Drain off any excess grease, if necessary.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Add the undrained diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, and beef broth to the pot. Stir well to combine.
- Simmer: Bring the soup to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover partially, and simmer for 25-30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Add Green Beans: Stir in the diced green beans (fresh or frozen). Continue to simmer for another 5-10 minutes, or until the green beans are tender.
- Season and Serve: Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if needed. Ladle the soup into bowls. Garnish with shredded cheese and chopped fresh parsley, if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
- Ground Beef: Use lean ground beef (like 90/10 or 85/15) to minimize grease. You can substitute ground turkey or ground chicken.
- Vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables like diced carrots, corn, or potatoes. Add heartier vegetables like potatoes and carrots earlier with the broth.
- Broth: Low-sodium beef broth is recommended. Vegetable broth can be substituted.
- Seasoning: Adjust the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to your taste.
- Storage: Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
