Old-Fashioned Hamburger Soup

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 50 min
🍽 Serves: 6
★★★★★
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Nothing warms the soul quite like a hearty bowl of Old-Fashioned Hamburger Soup. It's a cozy, one-pot wonder that’s perfect for chilly evenings or when you need a comforting bite. This soup is packed with flavors and easy to make, making it a family favorite.

Old-Fashioned Hamburger Soup

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Ingredients for Old-Fashioned Hamburger Soup

Ingredients for Old-Fashioned Hamburger Soup

Starting with the star, ground beef provides a rich and savory base. Choose lean beef for less fat but still plenty of flavor. The onion and garlic add depth and aroma, essential for any good soup. Carrots and celery bring sweetness and texture, balancing the beef's richness. Diced tomatoes add a touch of acidity and enhance the broth's flavor. Speaking of beef broth, it forms the soup's backbone, giving body and warmth. Frozen corn and green beans keep it easy and convenient, adding color and nutrients. Lastly, a blend of salt, black pepper, thyme, and basil with a single bay leaf creates a well-rounded seasoning profile.

Why This Old-Fashioned Hamburger Soup Works

As the ground beef browns in the pot, the fat melts out and coats the bottom. That melted fat gives the onions, garlic, carrots, and celery something to cook in so they don’t burn or dry out. After a few minutes, the onions turn soft and a little sweet, and the carrots and celery start to lose their crunch. By the time the broth, water, and tomatoes go in, the pot already has a lot of flavor stuck to the bottom, and the liquid loosens it all up.

Once everything is simmering, the steady heat slowly softens the carrots and celery all the way through. The beef soaks in the broth and tomato juices instead of drying out, so it stays tender even though it’s in small crumbles. Frozen corn and green beans warm up gently and keep a bit of bite, so the soup doesn’t feel mushy. Over the 30 minutes, the broth thickens just a little as some water cooks off, and the thyme, basil, and bay leaf spread through the whole pot, so every spoonful tastes the same.

Old-Fashioned Hamburger Soup Tips & Tricks

  • Swap ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
  • Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce for an extra savory kick.
  • If you prefer fresh veggies, simply adjust cooking time slightly.
  • For a thicker soup, mash some of the cooked veggies or add a tablespoon of tomato paste.

Mistakes To Avoid

Letting the ground beef stay in big chunks instead of breaking it up well in step 1 leaves greasy meat balls floating in the soup. The fat doesn’t spread out and render as evenly, so the broth ends up with oily pockets and uneven bites of meat instead of small, tender pieces in every spoonful.

Starting the soup before the carrots and celery have softened a bit in the pot keeps them from cooking evenly later. The broth may taste fine, but the carrots and celery can stay hard in the center while the rest of the soup is already done, giving a strange mix of soft and crunchy in the same bowl.

Boiling the soup hard the whole time instead of lowering to a gentle simmer makes the liquid reduce too fast. The broth can turn thick and salty, and the vegetables can go mushy while the meat gets a bit tough around the edges.

Adding the frozen corn and green beans at the very end, after simmering, leaves them cold in the middle. The soup looks ready, but the vegetables stay firm and slightly icy, and they don’t blend into the broth.

Equipment Used:

Large pot, Wooden spoon, Ladle

Ingredients

  1. 1 lb ground beef
  2. 1 small onion, diced
  3. 2 cloves garlic, minced
  4. 2 large carrots, diced
  5. 2 celery stalks, diced
  6. 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
  7. 4 cups beef broth
  8. 1 cup water
  9. 1 cup frozen corn
  10. 1 cup frozen green beans
  11. 1 tsp salt
  12. 1/2 tsp black pepper
  13. 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  14. 1/2 tsp dried basil
  15. 1 bay leaf

Step-by-step Instructions

  1. 1. In a large pot, brown the ground beef over medium heat, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks.
  2. 2. Add diced onion and minced garlic to the pot, sautéing until the onion is translucent.
  3. 3. Stir in the diced carrots and celery, cooking for about 5 minutes until slightly tender.
  4. 4. Pour in the diced tomatoes, beef broth, and water, stirring to combine.
  5. 5. Add frozen corn, frozen green beans, salt, black pepper, thyme, basil, and bay leaf.
  6. 6. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes or until vegetables are cooked.
  7. 7. Remove the bay leaf before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I freeze this soup?
Yes, it freezes beautifully! Just allow it to cool completely, then store it in airtight containers in the freezer for up to three months.
How long will leftovers last in the fridge?
This soup will keep well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Simply reheat on the stove or in the microwave before serving.
Can I use fresh corn and green beans?
Absolutely! Just adjust the cooking time slightly to ensure they are tender.

Serving Ideas for Old-Fashioned Hamburger Soup

This Old-Fashioned Hamburger Soup is perfect on its own, but you can elevate it with a few sides. Serve it with a slice of crusty bread to soak up the delicious broth. A simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette pairs well and adds a fresh, crisp contrast. For something extra cozy, top each bowl with shredded cheddar cheese or a dollop of sour cream just before serving.

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This recipe is for informational purposes only. Always follow proper food safety practices, cook foods to safe internal temperatures, and store leftovers appropriately. Results may vary.