Ground beef, tender potatoes, canned tomatoes, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and mixed veggies come together in this Easy Hamburger Soup. Comfort in a bowl.
You know those days where everything feels upside down? I’m talking socks that disappear mid-laundry, kids fighting over who got the bigger slice of pizza (spoiler: neither of them were happy), and the dog giving me side-eye because his walk was late. Yeah. That was my Tuesday last week.
By 5 p.m., I’m standing in the kitchen, staring into the fridge like it’s going to give me answers. It didn’t. But I found a lonely pound of ground beef in the freezer and a couple of potatoes sitting on the counter—definitely starting to look suspicious. That’s when this Easy Hamburger Soup happened. No planning. No grocery list. Just me, some pantry staples, and a little bit of hope.
And you know what? It worked. My family sat down, slurped it up, and—get this—asked for seconds. Even the picky one. You know who you are. This soup? It’s not fancy. But it feels like home, and that’s all I needed that day. Sound familiar?
Why You’ll Love This Easy Hamburger Soup Recipe?
Okay, so here’s the deal. This Easy Hamburger Soup is simple. And I know “simple” gets thrown around a lot these days, like every recipe claims to be “easy,” right? But this? This is actual, honest-to-goodness, “I’ve got 30 minutes and zero energy” easy. You brown the beef, toss everything into one pot, and let it do its thing. Meanwhile, you can scroll TikTok or finally reply to that group chat from three days ago. I mean… hypothetically.
And the flavor? It’s one of those soups that feels like a cozy sweater you forgot you had. Warm, filling, and surprisingly satisfying without being too heavy. Plus, it makes enough for leftovers—assuming you don’t hover over the pot with a spoon before dinner like someone I know (okay, fine, it’s me).
Ingredient Notes:
I’ll be honest with you. The ingredients list reads like a weeknight pantry raid… because it is. But don’t let that fool you. It works.
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Lean Ground Beef – I usually go with lean so I don’t end up draining a ton of grease, but hey, if you’ve got regular ground beef, no judgment. You can spoon off the extra fat or… live dangerously.
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Onion & Garlic – Basics. They bring everything together flavor-wise. Kind of like the glue holding this soup friendship circle together.
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Potatoes – I almost always use Yukon Golds because they hold up nicely and don’t get mushy. But if all you’ve got are Russets? Peel ’em and go for it. I’ve done that plenty of times, and it’s still good.
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Beef Broth – Use whatever brand you like. I won’t pretend I’m out here simmering bones for 48 hours like some cooking show. Boxed broth works great.
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Diced Tomatoes (with juice!) – These add that bright, tangy punch. And they bulk up the soup without making it feel like you’re just eating beef water. I… may have done that before.
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Condensed Tomato Soup – I know, I know. It sounds weird. But trust me, it gives the broth a little creaminess and a tiny bit of sweetness that makes the whole thing sing.
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Worcestershire Sauce – Don’t skip this. It’s like magic potion for soup. Just a little splash adds this deep, savory kick.
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Italian Seasoning & Bay Leaf – The bay leaf? It’s optional. But I always throw one in because my mom always did. Maybe it’s superstition at this point. No clue.
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Mixed Veggies – I usually use frozen because I’m lazy, but you can chop up fresh stuff if you’re feeling fancy. Corn, peas, green beans—whatever’s hanging around.
Quick thought: This soup doesn’t have to be exact. Some days I use a little more broth, sometimes less potatoes. It’s a vibe.
How To Make Easy Hamburger Soup?
Step 1: Brown the Beef, Onion, and Garlic
Get your big soup pot (the one you keep telling yourself you’ll use more). Heat it over medium, toss in the ground beef, onion, and garlic, and cook until the beef’s no longer pink. I like to let it get a little crispy around the edges for extra flavor. Drain off the grease if it looks like a slip-and-slide in there.
Step 2: Add Potatoes, Broth, Tomatoes, Tomato Soup & Seasoning
Once your beef is looking good, add your diced potatoes. Pour in the beef broth, canned tomatoes with their juice (seriously, don’t drain them!), and the condensed tomato soup. Stir it all together. Add your Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, and bay leaf (if you’re superstitious like me). Stir again. Cover the pot, reduce the heat a bit, and let it simmer for about 10 minutes.
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Step 3: Add the Mixed Vegetables & Simmer Again
After that first simmer, toss in your veggies. Frozen works like a charm. Stir it all up and let it hang out for another 15–20 minutes until the potatoes are tender and the veggies are cooked through.
Step 4: Taste Test & Serve
Don’t skip the taste test! Grab a spoon, blow on it (because molten lava, obviously), and see if it needs more salt or pepper. Fish out the bay leaf before you serve—unless you want to play dinner roulette. Ladle into bowls, grab some crusty bread, and dig in.
Storage Options:
Leftovers of this Easy Hamburger Soup? They’re even better the next day. I swear the flavors all hang out overnight and have a party or something. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave (I’m not judging your choices).
Wanna freeze it? Cool it completely, portion it into freezer bags or containers, and stash it away. It’ll keep for about three months. Perfect for those days when you just can’t.
Variations and Substitutions:
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Ground Turkey or Chicken – Lighter. Still delicious. Kind of makes you feel like you’re winning at health.
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Sausage – Bold move. Adds a spicy kick. I don’t do it often, but when I do, my husband’s very happy.
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Switch the Veggies – I’ve cleaned out my veggie drawer into this soup before. Zucchini? Sure. Spinach? Why not.
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Throw in Pasta or Rice – Cook it separately, then add it in. I once dumped in leftover macaroni noodles, and it was… weirdly perfect.
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Make It Low-Carb – Skip the potatoes, toss in cauliflower. It’s still cozy but won’t carb-coma you.
What to Serve with Easy Hamburger Soup?
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Grilled Cheese Sandwiches – Classic. They were meant to be together.
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Crusty Bread – For dunking. I’ve literally eaten the whole loaf before noticing. Oops.
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Green Salad – If you want to feel virtuous. (I usually don’t, but hey.)
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Cheddar Biscuits – Cheese on the side of soup? Always yes.
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Oyster Crackers – Nostalgia in a box. Reminds me of my grandma’s kitchen.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Totally. Brown the beef, onion, and garlic first (please, don’t skip this step—flavor!), then dump everything else in except the veggies. Cook on low 6–8 hours, add the veggies in the last 30 minutes. Done.
Does this soup freeze well?
Yep! I freeze it in portions so future-me can have lunch without lifting a finger. Just thaw and reheat.
Can I use leftover burgers?
Honestly? Sure! Crumble ’em up and throw them in. It’s all going in the pot anyway.
So… are you making Easy Hamburger Soup tonight? If you do, I wanna hear about it! Did you make it exactly like this, or did you put your own spin on it? Did your family love it—or did you hide the last bowl in the back of the fridge for yourself? (No judgment!) Drop me a comment or tag me in your photos. I’m here for it.
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:
Easy Hamburger Soup
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 diced onion
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 2 diced medium potatoes peeled
- 3.5 c beef broth
- 28 oz canned diced tomatoes with juice
- 1 can condensed tomato soup
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 3 c mixed vegetables fresh or frozen
Instructions
- In a pot start by cooking the onion, ground beef and garlic on medium heat until the beef is nicely browned. Make sure to drain any fat.
- Next add the potatoes, beef broth, diced tomatoes, along with their juice, condensed tomato soup, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning and a bay leaf to the pot. Give everything a stir.
- Cover the pot. Let the soup simmer, for 10 minutes.
- After that time has passed include the vegetables into the soup. Continue simmering for another 15 to 20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.
- Once you've reached a point where the potatoes are soft and the veggies are cooked through remove the bay leaf from the pot. Your delicious soup is now ready to be enjoyed!
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
