Looking for a comforting and nutritious meal that’s simple to make? This easy crockpot hamburger soup is packed with lean ground beef, hearty potatoes, and a medley of flavorful vegetables. It’s a healthy, gluten-free, and dairy-free soup that’s perfect for meal prep, freezing, and busy weeknights. With just 20 minutes of prep, your slow cooker does all the work, leaving you with a thick, satisfying bowl of soup that’s great for the whole family.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This crockpot hamburger soup is a hearty, family-friendly meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. With lean ground beef, tender potatoes, and a rich, flavorful broth, it’s a comforting dish that delivers high protein and essential nutrients. Plus, it’s gluten-free, dairy-free, and freezer-friendly, making it a great option for meal prep. Whether you’re craving a crockpot creamy hamburger soup or a simple slow cooker meal, this recipe is easy, delicious, and packed with wholesome ingredients.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For this crockpot hamburger soup with potatoes, gather these simple, wholesome ingredients:
- Lean ground beef – Use 90-93% lean ground beef or substitute with ground turkey or chicken
- Vegetables – Carrots, celery, yellow onion, green bell pepper, and garlic for added flavor
- Potatoes – A mix of Yukon gold and sweet potatoes for the best texture
- Canned fire-roasted diced tomatoes – Adds a rich, smoky flavor
- Tomato paste – Thickens the soup and enhances the taste
- Beef broth – Use low-sodium beef broth for depth of flavor
- Seasonings – Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper
- Fresh green beans and kale – Stirred in at the end for added nutrition
How to Make Crockpot Hamburger Soup
Making this easy crockpot hamburger soup is simple and requires minimal hands-on time. Follow these detailed steps for the best results:
1. Brown the Ground Beef
Start by heating a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef, diced onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, breaking up the beef with a wooden spoon until it is fully browned and no longer pink. This step enhances the flavor and ensures the beef is evenly cooked before adding it to the slow cooker.
Tip: If using a fattier beef blend, drain excess grease before transferring the mixture to the slow cooker to prevent an oily soup.
2. Prepare the Vegetables
While the beef is cooking, chop your potatoes, carrots, and celery into bite-sized pieces. Using a mix of Yukon gold and sweet potatoes adds a perfect balance of texture and flavor.
Tip: For added convenience, prep the vegetables in advance and store them in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to use.
3. Assemble the Soup in the Slow Cooker
Transfer the browned beef mixture to the crockpot. Then, add in:
- Chopped potatoes, carrots, and celery
- Fire-roasted diced tomatoes (with juice)
- Tomato paste (to thicken and intensify the flavor)
- Beef broth (for a rich, deep flavor)
- Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper
Stir everything together to ensure the flavors are evenly distributed.
Tip: If you prefer a slightly thicker soup, you can reduce the broth by ½ cup or add an extra tablespoon of tomato paste.
4. Slow Cook to Perfection
Secure the lid on the crockpot and set it to one of the following:
- Low heat for 8 hours (for the best depth of flavor and tender vegetables)
- High heat for 4 hours (if you’re short on time)
During this cooking time, the flavors will meld, and the vegetables will soften to the perfect consistency.
5. Add Green Beans & Kale
When one hour of cooking time remains, stir in the chopped green beans and kale. This ensures they stay vibrant and slightly crisp rather than overcooked.
Tip: If using frozen green beans, wait until 30 minutes before cooking ends to stir them in.
6. Taste & Adjust Seasonings
Before serving, taste the soup and adjust the seasoning if needed. Add more salt, black pepper, or Italian seasoning to suit your preference.
Optional Garnish: Top each bowl with grated Parmesan cheese, fresh herbs, or a drizzle of olive oil for added richness.
7. Serve & Enjoy!
Ladle the warm, hearty hamburger soup into bowls and serve with:
- Crusty bread or dinner rolls
- A light side salad
- Shredded cheese or sour cream topping
FAQs
Yes! This soup is naturally dairy-free as written. If you want a creamier texture, blend a portion of the soup and stir it back in or add a dairy-free alternative like coconut milk.
Absolutely! Ground turkey or chicken can be used as a leaner alternative. The cooking time and instructions remain the same.
Yes, this soup freezes beautifully! Allow it to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stove or microwave.
To make this soup keto-friendly, replace the potatoes with cauliflower, zucchini, or extra green beans to reduce the carb content.
Yes! Brown the beef, then add all ingredients (except for the green beans and kale) to a large pot. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 45-60 minutes until the vegetables are tender. Stir in the green beans and kale during the last 10-15 minutes of cooking.
Yes! If you’d like to make this soup heartier, stir in cooked pasta such as macaroni or penne during the last 15 minutes of cooking.
What are the best toppings or garnishes for this soup?
For added flavor and texture, top your soup with:
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Fresh herbs like parsley or basil
- Crispy bacon bits
- Croutons or crusty bread
Serving Suggestions
Pair this crockpot hamburger soup with:
- A simple side salad with a light vinaigrette
- Warm cornbread or dinner rolls
- Roasted vegetables for an extra boost of nutrients
More Cozy Crockpot Recipes to Try
Looking for more slow cooker recipes? Check out these related recipes:
This easy crockpot hamburger soup is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for meal prepping or feeding a crowd. Packed with protein, fiber, and hearty vegetables, it’s a healthy and satisfying meal that can be easily adapted to suit dietary needs. Try this crockpot creamy hamburger soup today and let me know how you like it!
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Crockpot Hamburger Soup Recipe
- Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
A comforting and nutritious slow cooker meal made with lean ground beef, hearty potatoes, and a medley of flavorful vegetables. This gluten-free and dairy-free soup is perfect for meal prep, freezing, and busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef (90-93%)
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium Yukon gold potatoes, chopped
- 1 medium sweet potato, chopped
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 can (14.5 oz) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup fresh green beans, chopped
- 1 cup kale, chopped
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef, diced onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic. Cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking up the beef, until browned. Drain excess grease if necessary.
- While the beef is cooking, chop potatoes, carrots, and celery into bite-sized pieces.
- Transfer the browned beef mixture to the slow cooker. Add chopped potatoes, carrots, celery, fire-roasted diced tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on low heat for 8 hours or high heat for 4 hours.
- One hour before cooking time is up, stir in the chopped green beans and kale.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed before serving.
- Serve hot with crusty bread or a light salad. Optionally, garnish with Parmesan cheese, fresh herbs, or a drizzle of olive oil.
Notes
For a thicker soup, reduce broth by ½ cup or add an extra tablespoon of tomato paste. To make it dairy-free, avoid cheese toppings or use dairy-free alternatives.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: crockpot, hamburger soup, slow cooker, healthy soup, gluten-free, dairy-free