Old-Fashioned Hamburger Vegetable Soup
Description
This Old-Fashioned Hamburger Vegetable Soup is classic comfort food made with simple ingredients. Tender ground beef, potatoes, carrots, corn, green beans, tomatoes, and savory herbs simmer together in a rich tomato-based broth. It’s hearty, filling, budget-friendly, and perfect for a cozy family dinner. Even better, the leftovers taste delicious the next day!
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
2 carrots, sliced
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
4 cups beef broth
1 cup frozen corn
1 cup frozen green beans
1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
1 tsp dried parsley
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp salt, or to taste
1 bay leaf
1–2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Optional: ½ tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
Heat a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
Add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking the beef apart as it browns.
Drain excess grease if needed.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
Stir in the potatoes, carrots, celery, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth.
Add the corn, green beans, Italian seasoning, parsley, paprika, black pepper, salt, bay leaf, and Worcestershire sauce.
Bring the soup to a gentle boil.
Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 25–35 minutes, or until the potatoes and vegetables are tender.
Taste and adjust the seasoning. Add red pepper flakes if you prefer a little heat.
Remove the bay leaf before serving.
Ladle into bowls and serve hot with crusty bread, cornbread, or crackers.
🍲 Slow Cooker Method
Brown the ground beef and onion first, then transfer them to a slow cooker. Add all remaining ingredients and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the vegetables are tender.
💡 Recipe Tips
Use lean ground beef to make the soup lighter.
Add extra vegetables such as peas, zucchini, cabbage, or bell peppers.
For a thicker soup, mash a few potato pieces into the broth before serving.
For extra flavor, use homemade beef stock.
The soup freezes well, making it excellent for meal prep.
Q&A
Q: Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Yes! Ground turkey works well, although the flavor will be slightly lighter.
Q: Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Absolutely. The flavors often become even better after resting overnight.
Q: How long does it last in the refrigerator?
Store it in an airtight container for 3–4 days.
Q: Can I freeze hamburger vegetable soup?
Yes. Cool completely, portion into freezer-safe containers, and freeze for up to 3 months for best quality.
Q: Can I add pasta?
Yes. Add small pasta during the final 10–15 minutes of simmering. You may need additional broth because the pasta will absorb liquid.