Nothing warms up a chilly evening like a hearty bowl of slow cooker hamburger soup. With ground beef, vegetables, and potatoes simmered in a rich tomato beef broth, this cozy crockpot dinner is as comforting as it is convenient. After just a little chopping and browning, the slow cooker does all the work, leaving you with a family-friendly meal that’s ready when you are.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Hamburger Soup
There’s something special about gathering around the table to a big pot of soup that’s been bubbling away all afternoon. This beef and vegetable soup is full of classic flavor, but the real game-changer is mashing a few potatoes at the end to thicken the broth naturally. That trick turns a simple ground beef soup into a hearty meal with incredible texture.
I love recipes like this because they fit real life. If the morning is busy, I can dump everything into the crockpot before heading out the door. If it’s already dinnertime, the Dutch oven version delivers the same cozy result in under an hour. Either way, you’ll end up with a bowl of comfort food your whole family will love.
Try pairing it with a loaf of crusty bread or a side salad, and you’ve got dinner covered. If you enjoy hearty soups, you might also like this Ground Beef and Vegetable Soup or my One Pot Lasagna Soup.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Ground beef: Browning first adds rich flavor.
- Onion, carrots, celery, garlic: The classic base for soups, building savory depth.
- Tomato paste: Concentrated flavor booster that keeps the broth from tasting watery.
- Seasonings: Kosher salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning tie everything together.
- Beef broth: Low-sodium broth is best so you can control the amount of salt.
- Diced tomatoes: Adds acidity and balances the richness of the beef.
- Worcestershire sauce: Deepens flavor with a hint of tang.
- Potatoes: Russets or Yukon golds give the soup its heartiness.
You can swap in frozen mixed vegetables if you want to skip chopping, or try using chicken broth if that’s what you have on hand.
How to Make Easy Hamburger Soup
Slow Cooker Method
Step 1: Brown the beef in a skillet with a little olive oil, then add onion and cook for a few minutes. Drain excess grease.
Step 2: Transfer the beef mixture to a crockpot with carrots, celery, garlic, tomato paste, seasonings, beef broth, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, and potatoes. Stir to combine.
Step 3: Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours.
Step 4: Before serving, mash a few potatoes directly in the pot to thicken the broth. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Dutch Oven Method
Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, breaking it into chunks, and brown until no pink remains.
Step 2: Stir in onion, celery, and carrots. Cook for 4–5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Drain any excess grease.
Step 3: Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir in tomato paste and cook briefly.
Step 4: Add beef broth, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, and potatoes. Stir well.
Step 5: Bring to a boil, then reduce to medium heat. Cover and simmer for 10–15 minutes, until potatoes are tender
Tips and Variations
- Avoid mushy potatoes: Cut them into larger cubes and don’t over-stir.
- For a low-carb version: Swap the potatoes with cauliflower florets.
- Make it creamy: Stir in a half cup of sour cream at the end and sprinkle with cheddar cheese for a Crock Pot Cheeseburger Soup recipe twist.
- Extra veggies: Add spinach or kale in the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- Crockpot shortcut: Use frozen chopped vegetables to save time.
This is the kind of cozy fall slow cooker recipe that adapts to whatever you have in the fridge. For another comforting one-pot meal, try my Creamy One Pot Ravioli Soup.
Storage and Freezing
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in a sealed container for up to 5 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave.
- Freezer: Freeze in individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- Meal prep tip: Make a double batch and freeze half for an easy dump-and-go hamburger soup later.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, browning the beef adds flavor and prevents the soup from being greasy.
Absolutely. Cool completely, then freeze in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
Carrots, celery, potatoes, and onions are classic, but corn, peas, or green beans can be added near the end.
Cut them into 1-inch cubes and avoid overcooking. Mashing just a few at the end creates a thicker broth without losing all the chunks.
This family-friendly slow cooker soup is one we come back to all winter long. If you make it, leave a comment or a star rating and let me know how it turned out for you. I’d love to hear your favorite variations.
More Hamburger Recipes
- Hamburger Quiche
- Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole
- Hamburger Potato Casserole
- Slow Cooker Goulash with Hamburger
📖 Recipe
Easy Hamburger Soup (Slow Cooker & Stovetop Option!)
Ingredients
- Olive oil (to coat the pan)
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion (chopped)
- 3 medium carrots (sliced)
- 2 stalks celery (chopped)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 ½ teaspoons Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 5 cups beef broth (low sodium is preferred)
- 1 14-½ ounce can diced tomatoes (undrained)
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 large potatoes (such as russets, cubed)
Instructions
Dutch Oven Instructions
- Add the olive oil to a large Dutch oven set over medium-high heat. Add the beef, breaking it into large chunks and spreading it evenly across the pan. Brown, undisturbed, for 2-3 minutes. Once the bottom side has some color, flip and continue to cook for another 3-4 minutes, or until no pink remains.
- Add the onion, celery, and carrots to the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes, or until beginning to soften. Stir in the garlic and saute for 30 seconds, until fragrant. If there is a lot of excess grease in the pan, drain it off before continuing.
- Season the vegetables with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, then stir in tomato paste and cook for 30 seconds. Add the beef broth, tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, and potatoes, stirring well.
- Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and cook for 9-12 minutes, or until potatoes are fork tender.
Alternate Slow Cooker Instructions
- Add the olive oil to a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium high heat. Cook the beef until browned on all sides, then add the onion. Saute 3-4 minutes, until softened. Drain excess grease, then season the beef mixture lightly with Kosher salt and pepper.
- Add the beef mixture to a crock pot along with the remaining ingredients.
- Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours.
Leave a Reply