Hamburger Vegetable Soup – Immaculate Bites

Why You’ll Love Vegetable Soup With Hamburger

Besides being super easy, hamburger vegetable soup is adaptable. Feel free to customize it with the vegetables and seasonings in your pantry. Butternut squash, peas, and zucchini add creative additions to this colorful dish. And it’s a delicious way to use up any vegetables that may have been hanging out in the fridge longer than expected.

Soup Ingredients

1. Ground Beef – Lean ground beef may be the healthier choice, but feel free to use what you have for a hearty soup. You can even replace it with ground chicken or turkey for a lighter version.
2. Flavors – Onion, garlic, tomato paste (for acidity), Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, and bay leaf deliver warm, earthy flavors.
3. Vegetables – Colorful bell peppers, celery, carrots, green beans, corn, potatoes (red, russet, or Yukon gold potatoes), and tomatoes make this soup a feast for the eyes and tastebuds. Even better, fresh and frozen vegetables both work fine.
4. Broth – Bring it all together and turn it into the most delicious soup you’ve eaten with beef broth. Of course, chicken and vegetable broth (or bouillon and water) also do a great job.
5. Beans – Kidney beans or black beans ramp up the protein. Get creative with black eye peas, pinto beans, or other fave.

How to Make Hamburger Vegetable Soup

• Brown Beef – Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven or large stock pot over medium heat. Add the ground beef. Cook until it browns, breaking it up into small pieces with a spoon or spatula. Drain excess fat if desired. (Photos 1-2)
• Vegetables – Add the diced onion, minced garlic, red and green bell peppers, celery, and carrots to the pot with the ground beef. Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until they begin to soften and the onions become translucent. (Photos 3-4)
• Flavor – Add the tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Season – Add the Italian seasoning, bay leaf, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir to combine the vegetables and meat with the seasonings.

• Broth – Pour in the broth, add the diced tomatoes (with their juice), and stir well to combine. Simmer for about 5 minutes.
• Assemble – Add the beans and diced potatoes. Stir well.
• Simmer – Bring the soup to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer uncovered for about 15 minutes.
• Final Stretch – Add the green beans and corn. Stir well and continue to simmer for another 10-15 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
• Serve – Taste and adjust seasonings as desired. Remove the bay leaf, ladle the soup into bowls, and serve hot. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and grated cheese.

Recipe Variations

1. Slow-cooker hamburger vegetable soup. Brown the ground beef, garlic, onions, and celery in a skillet. Then, add them to the slow cooker with the rest of the ingredients. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6-8 hours.
2. More veggies. Diced squash, kale, mushrooms, and cabbage are all tasty additions you can add at the same time as the carrots and celery. If you’d like to add spinach, it’s probably best to add it 5 minutes before the end of cooking time.
3. Pasta extravaganza. Add a cup of your favorite cooked pasta 5 minutes before it’s done.
4. Pressure cooker version. Brown the beef and saute the aromatics. Then, put everything in the Instant Pot and lock the lid. Cook under high pressure for 2 minutes, release the pressure manually, and adjust seasonings to taste.
5. Quick cheat. Use homemade hamburger helper, add the veggies, and simmer til done.

Tips and Tricks

1. For thicker soup, mash some potatoes to break them up slightly.
2. For even cooking, chop your vegetables as uniformly as possible.
3. To get a jump on meal prep, clean and chop the vegetables the day before. Store them in airtight containers in the fridge until ready to cook.

Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions

Make this soup on the weekend and reheat it on one of those busy weeknights! Cool your hamburger vegetable soup completely, and it will last for up to five days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Or freeze it in meal-size portions in freezer-safe containers for a quick one-dish lunch or dinner.

Heat it on the stovetop over medium-low until it simmers.

What to Serve With Hamburger Vegetable Soup

Pair hamburger vegetable soup with crusty no-knead bread, golden Southern-style cornbread, or homemade garlic bread for the perfect comforting and cozy meal. A fresh tossed salad adds crunch and color.

More Comforting Soup Recipes to Try

1. Lentil Soup
2. Tomato Basil Soup
3. Carrot Ginger Soup
4. Cream of Mushroom Soup
5. Chicken Meatball Soup