Easy Slow Cooker Hamburger Soup

Need a filling, healthy meal that is versatile and can actually be made in just a few steps? Easy Slow Cooker Hamburger Soup combines lean ground beef with lots of veggies and tasty broth into a meal that everyone can enjoy. Customize with ingredients you have on hand and let it simmer away until dinner

What’s To Love About This Recipe

I’m excited to share one of my favorite recipes for a family-friendly meal. It’s easy, quick, and customizable to what I already have in my freezer.

Hamburger soup is also perfect for the slow cooker because:

• It takes only a few steps and not much planning in advance! To make it even easier to prep, you can precook the ground beef earlier in the day or store it in the freezer to easily assemble it later.
• It’s a great way to add lots of extra veggies to your meal.
• It’s easy to customize for any dietary need – low-fat, low-carb, gluten-free, and dairy-free.
• It’s also very budget-friendly. You can create a very filling, nutritious meal by stretching these ingredients into a delicious, savory soup. Use up any veggies you already have on hand!

Ingredients Needed  

• Ground beef – Choose lean ground beef and drain the excess grease from the skillet after it is browned. 
• Onion – Dice one small onion for added flavor to the soup.
• Frozen mixed vegetables – I always have a bag of frozen mixed vegetables on hand to add to so many different recipes. This colorful mix adds texture to the soup and makes it so easy to prep.
• Frozen cubed sweet potatoes – Frozen sweet potatoes are such a time-saver and cook really well in the slow cooker. They add the best hint of sweetness and heartiness to the mix!
• Petite diced tomatoes – One can of tomatoes adds a bit of acidic flavor to contrast with the hamburger meat. 
• Homemade Italian Dressing Mix – If you already have this mixed up, even better! This seasoning mix is the perfect blend of herbs, spices, salt, and pepper. It is super versatile!
• Chicken broth – Chicken broth creates a flavorful base for the soup, and you can use any variety you choose. I like to add bone broth for extra protein and nutrition.

How To Make Easy Hamburger Soup In The Slow Cooker 

1. Cook ground beef in a skillet until browned, and drain off any excess grease.

2. Add the ground beef to the slow cooker with all the remaining ingredients.

3. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.

Recipe Substitutions and Variations 

I mentioned how easy it is to customize this recipe. It really is the best soup base for making lots of swaps or substitutions. Try any of these options for a family-friendly meal that suits your taste!

• Use ground turkey in place of ground beef.
• Swap out mixed veggies for any frozen veggies you have on hand. My favorite combination is the veggie mix of green beans, peas, corn, and carrots.
• You can use fresh sweet potatoes or regular potatoes instead. Wash the potatoes well and dice them into 1-inch cubes. You can leave the peel on or remove it – it’s up to you!
• Try a can of fire-roasted tomatoes for a smoky flavor.
• Try burger seasoning or steak seasoning in place of the Italian seasoning mix.
• When the soup has cooked, add some precooked rice to the slow cooker to bulk up the meal. Or, cook some macaroni noodles separately and add a scoop to individual bowls.

What To Serve With Hamburger Soup 

Serve a hearty bowl of hamburger soup with garlic bread or warm cornbread. If you like, add a sprinkle of shredded parmesan or cheddar cheese to each bowl. Complete your meal with a fresh garden salad – you can even use extra Homemade Italian Dressing Mix to mix up an easy dressing!

Storing and Reheating

Another reason to love this soup – it’s easy to prep ahead as a freezer meal! This is a great recipe for stocking your freezer with dump-and-go meals that require no extra steps. 

Simply cook the ground beef, let it cool completely, and add all other ingredients (except broth) to a large freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready to cook, defrost the bag first, then add the mix to the slow cooker with the chicken broth. 

Store leftover hamburger soup in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze single portions for up to 3 months. Be sure to use an airtight container or Souper Cubes for easy storage.

Defrost soup and reheat in the microwave or on the stove. 

Slow Cooker Hamburger Soup FAQs

• Can you use frozen vegetables for hamburger soup? Yes, this recipe is designed to use frozen vegetables for ease and simplicity.
• Can you put raw hamburger in the slow cooker? You can put raw hamburger in the slow cooker for some recipes, but for hamburger soup, the meat needs to be cooked first. Browning it in a skillet first will add flavor, and you can remove excess grease.
• Can this recipe be made into a stew? Since stews are generally thicker than soups, you could thicken this recipe by adding 4-6 ounces of tomato paste. You can also add a tablespoon or two of cornstarch slurry (equal parts cornstarch and water) and mix it into the broth.
• Can hamburger soup be made on the stovetop? To make this on the stovetop, brown the meat in a skillet and add the diced onion to cook until translucent. Add all ingredients to a large pot and bring to a low boil. Then, reduce the soup to simmer until the potatoes are heated through and fork-tender.

More Slow Cooker Soup Recipes

• Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup
• Slow Cooker Beef Enchilada Soup
• Slow Cooker Chicken Corn Chowder
• Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana
• Slow Cooker Stuffed Pepper Soup
• Creamy Meatball Soup In The Slow Cooker