Hamburger Soup Recipe

Ground beef: The main protein in the soup, providing a rich and hearty flavor.

Onion: Adds a savory depth and slight sweetness to the soup.

Carrots: Brings a natural sweetness and vibrant color to the dish.

Celery: Adds a subtle crunch and enhances the overall flavor.

Beef broth: Forms the base of the soup, adding a rich, beefy flavor.

Diced tomatoes: Adds acidity and a slight sweetness, balancing the flavors.

Potatoes: Provides a hearty texture and helps to thicken the soup.

Salt: Enhances all the flavors in the soup.

Black pepper: Adds a mild heat and depth to the overall taste.

When browning the ground beef, make sure to break it up into small pieces using a wooden spoon or spatula. This ensures even cooking and better texture in your soup. Additionally, sautéing the onion, carrots, and celery until they are tender before adding the broth and other ingredients helps to develop a deeper, richer flavor in the final dish.

• ground beef - Substitute with ground turkey: Ground turkey is a leaner option and provides a similar texture and flavor profile.

• ground beef - Substitute with lentils: Lentils offer a plant-based protein alternative and add a hearty texture to the soup.

• chopped onion - Substitute with leeks: Leeks provide a milder, slightly sweeter flavor compared to onions.

• chopped onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a more delicate and nuanced flavor, enhancing the soup's overall taste.

• chopped carrots - Substitute with parsnips: Parsnips have a similar texture but add a slightly sweeter and earthier flavor.

• chopped carrots - Substitute with sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes add a different texture and a hint of sweetness to the soup.

• chopped celery - Substitute with fennel: Fennel adds a subtle anise flavor and a similar crunch to the soup.

• chopped celery - Substitute with bok choy: Bok choy provides a similar texture and a mild flavor, making it a good alternative.

• beef broth - Substitute with chicken broth: Chicken broth is a lighter option that still provides a rich, savory base for the soup.

• beef broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth is a great vegetarian option that maintains the soup's depth of flavor.

• diced tomatoes - Substitute with crushed tomatoes: Crushed tomatoes offer a similar flavor but a smoother texture.

• diced tomatoes - Substitute with tomato sauce: Tomato sauce provides a more uniform consistency and a rich tomato flavor.

• cubed potatoes - Substitute with cauliflower florets: Cauliflower is a low-carb alternative that maintains a similar texture when cooked.

• cubed potatoes - Substitute with turnips: Turnips offer a slightly peppery flavor and a similar starchy texture.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds a savory umami flavor and can reduce the need for additional salt.

• salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt provides a more complex flavor profile compared to regular table salt.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper offers a similar heat but with a slightly different flavor, often described as more earthy.

• black pepper - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper adds a bit more heat and a different flavor profile, enhancing the soup's spiciness.

• Allow the hamburger soup to cool completely before storing. This helps maintain the integrity of the vegetables and meat.
• Transfer the cooled soup into airtight containers. For easy portioning, consider using individual serving-sized containers.
• Label each container with the date of preparation. This ensures you keep track of freshness and avoid consuming outdated soup.
• Store the containers in the refrigerator if you plan to consume the soup within 3-4 days. The flavors will meld together beautifully during this time.
• For longer storage, place the airtight containers in the freezer. The hamburger soup can be frozen for up to 3 months without losing its deliciousness.
• When ready to enjoy, thaw the frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing helps maintain the texture of the vegetables and meat.
• Reheat the soup on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally until it reaches the desired temperature. Alternatively, you can use a microwave, heating in short intervals and stirring in between to ensure even heating.
• If the soup appears too thick after reheating, add a splash of beef broth or water to achieve the desired consistency. Adjust the seasoning with a pinch of salt and black pepper if needed.
• Enjoy your reheated hamburger soup with a side of crusty bread or a fresh salad for a complete meal.

• For stovetop reheating:

  1. Pour the leftover soup into a large pot.
  2. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating.
  3. Once the soup begins to simmer, reduce the heat to low and continue to heat for another 5-10 minutes, or until the soup is thoroughly heated.
  4. Serve hot and enjoy the rejuvenated flavors.

• For microwave reheating:

  1. Transfer the leftover soup into a microwave-safe bowl.
  2. Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent for steam to escape.
  3. Heat on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.
  4. If the soup is not hot enough, continue to heat in 1-minute increments, stirring in between, until the desired temperature is reached.
  5. Carefully remove from the microwave, stir, and serve hot.

• For oven reheating:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Transfer the leftover soup into an oven-safe dish and cover with aluminum foil.
  3. Place the dish in the oven and heat for about 20-30 minutes, or until the soup is thoroughly heated.
  4. Carefully remove from the oven, stir, and serve hot.

• For slow cooker reheating:

  1. Pour the leftover soup into your slow cooker.
  2. Set the slow cooker to the low setting.
  3. Heat for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating.
  4. Once the soup is hot, switch the slow cooker to the warm setting until ready to serve.

• Large pot: A large pot is essential for browning the ground beef and cooking the soup. It provides ample space for all the ingredients to simmer together.

• Wooden spoon: A wooden spoon is useful for stirring the ground beef and vegetables, ensuring even cooking and preventing sticking.

• Cutting board: A cutting board is necessary for chopping the onions, carrots, celery, and potatoes.

• Chef's knife: A chef's knife is ideal for chopping the vegetables and cubing the potatoes efficiently and safely.

• Measuring cups: Measuring cups are needed to accurately measure the chopped vegetables and beef broth.

• Can opener: A can opener is required to open the can of diced tomatoes.

• Colander: A colander is useful for draining any excess fat from the browned ground beef.

• Ladle: A ladle is perfect for serving the hot soup into bowls.

Pre-chop vegetables: Chop the onion, carrots, and celery in advance and store them in the fridge.

Use pre-diced tomatoes: Save time by using a can of diced tomatoes instead of chopping fresh ones.

Instant potatoes: Use pre-cubed potatoes available in the frozen section to cut down on prep time.

Batch cook ground beef: Cook and freeze ground beef in advance for quick use in recipes.

One-pot method: Use a large pot to brown the ground beef and cook the soup to minimize cleanup.