Hamburger Soup Recipe

Ground beef: Provides the hearty, meaty base for the soup.

Onion: Adds a depth of flavor and sweetness when cooked.

Carrots: Contributes a subtle sweetness and texture to the soup.

Celery: Adds a slight bitterness and crunch, balancing the flavors.

Garlic: Enhances the overall flavor with its aromatic and pungent taste.

Diced tomatoes: Adds acidity and a rich tomato flavor to the broth.

Beef broth: Forms the flavorful base of the soup, adding depth and richness.

Potatoes: Provides a hearty and filling element to the soup.

Salt: Enhances the flavors of all the ingredients.

Black pepper: Adds a mild heat and depth of flavor.

Dried basil: Infuses the soup with a subtle herbal note.

When browning the ground beef, make sure to break it up into small pieces to ensure even cooking. This will help the meat to brown more uniformly and develop a richer flavor. Additionally, when adding the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic, sauté them until they are just starting to caramelize. This will enhance the overall depth of flavor in your soup.

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

• onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder and slightly sweeter flavor compared to onions.

• carrots - Substitute with parsnips: Parsnips have a similar texture to carrots but add a slightly nutty and sweet flavor.

• celery stalks - Substitute with fennel: Fennel provides a similar crunch and a subtle anise flavor that complements the soup.

• garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used in place of fresh garlic, though it has a more concentrated flavor. Use ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder for each clove.

• diced tomatoes - Substitute with crushed tomatoes: Crushed tomatoes provide a similar tomato base but with a smoother texture.

• beef broth - Substitute with chicken broth: Chicken broth is a lighter alternative that still adds depth of flavor to the soup.

• potatoes - Substitute with sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes add a different flavor profile and a touch of sweetness to the soup.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty and umami flavor, but use it sparingly to avoid overpowering the dish.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a milder taste and is less visually noticeable in the soup.

• dried basil - Substitute with dried oregano: Dried oregano offers a different but complementary herbal flavor to the soup.

• Allow the hamburger soup to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can lead to a watery texture and potential spoilage.
• Transfer the cooled soup into airtight containers. For easy portioning, consider using individual serving-sized containers. This makes reheating a breeze and helps maintain the soup's quality.
• Label each container with the date. This ensures you keep track of freshness and consume the soup within a safe timeframe.
• Store the containers in the refrigerator if you plan to consume the soup within 3-4 days. The beef broth and vegetables will stay fresh and flavorful during this period.
• For longer storage, place the containers in the freezer. The soup can be frozen for up to 3 months without significant loss of quality.
• When ready to enjoy, thaw the soup in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing helps maintain the texture of the potatoes and carrots.
• Reheat the soup on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating. Alternatively, you can use a microwave, heating in short intervals and stirring in between to avoid hot spots.
• If the soup appears too thick after reheating, add a splash of beef broth or water to reach your desired consistency. Adjust the seasoning if necessary, as freezing can sometimes dull the flavors.
• Enjoy your reheated hamburger soup with a fresh garnish of dried basil or a sprinkle of black pepper for an extra burst of flavor.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Pour the hamburger soup into a saucepan.
  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 cook for another 5-10 minutes until thoroughly heated.
  4. Serve hot and enjoy the rejuvenated flavors.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Transfer the hamburger soup to 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, then stir the soup to ensure even heating.
  4. Continue heating in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until the soup is hot throughout.
  5. Let it sit for a minute before serving to allow the heat to distribute evenly.

• Oven Method:

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

• Slow Cooker Method:

  1. Transfer the hamburger soup to 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 hot, switch the slow cooker to the warm setting until ready to serve.

• Large pot: Essential for browning the ground beef and cooking the soup. It should be big enough to hold all the ingredients comfortably.

• Wooden spoon: Useful for stirring the ground beef and vegetables as they cook, ensuring even cooking and preventing sticking.

• Knife: Needed for chopping the onion, carrots, celery, and potatoes. A sharp knife will make this task easier and safer.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe and stable surface for chopping vegetables and mincing garlic.

• Garlic press: Handy for mincing garlic quickly and efficiently, though a knife can also be used.

• Measuring spoons: Necessary for accurately measuring the salt, pepper, and dried basil to ensure the soup is properly seasoned.

• Can opener: Required to open the can of diced tomatoes.

• Ladle: Useful for serving the soup into bowls once it is ready.

• Colander: Needed to drain any excess fat from the browned ground beef.

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

Use pre-diced tomatoes: Opt for canned diced tomatoes to save time on chopping.

Batch cook ground beef: Cook extra ground beef and freeze portions for future use.

Instant pot option: Use an Instant Pot to reduce cooking time significantly.

Pre-made broth: Use store-bought beef broth to skip the step of making it from scratch.

Frozen vegetables: Substitute fresh vegetables with frozen ones to cut down on prep time.