Simple, comforting, and packed with flavor, this slow cooker hamburger soup recipe draws inspiration from the iconic Pioneer Woman’s style of home cooking. Loaded with ground beef and a medley of vegetables, this soup is perfect for a chilly evening and can be effortlessly prepared in your slow cooker or simmered on the stovetop for a quicker meal.
This hamburger soup recipe is designed to be both incredibly easy to make and deeply satisfying. It’s the kind of meal that brings everyone to the table, reminiscent of the hearty, no-fuss recipes that The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, is famous for. We’ve taken the essence of her classic hamburger soup and adapted it for the modern home cook, emphasizing simple ingredients and straightforward methods, with the bonus of slow cooker convenience.
Why This is Your Go-To Hamburger Soup Recipe
Inspired by the spirit of The Pioneer Woman, this recipe is all about creating a flavorful and nourishing meal with minimal fuss. Just like Ree’s recipes, this hamburger soup is:
- Hearty and Filling: Packed with ground beef and vegetables, it’s a complete meal in a bowl, perfect for hungry families.
- Easy to Make: Whether you choose the slow cooker or stovetop method, the steps are simple and require minimal hands-on time.
- Flavorful and Comforting: The combination of beef, vegetables, and savory seasonings creates a classic, comforting soup that everyone will love.
- Versatile: Easily adaptable to your family’s preferences and dietary needs, just like many of The Pioneer Woman’s approachable recipes.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Perfect for meal prepping or making ahead of time, as the flavors deepen overnight.
This recipe takes the beloved flavors of traditional hamburger soup and streamlines the process for today’s busy lifestyles, while still retaining that home-cooked, Pioneer Woman charm.
Simple Steps to Delicious Hamburger Soup
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You can choose to let it simmer slowly in your crockpot all day, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully, or opt for a quicker stovetop version when time is of the essence.
First, you’ll brown your ground beef with onions to build a flavorful base, a foundational technique in many Pioneer Woman recipes. Then, simply combine all the ingredients in your slow cooker or pot, and let it work its magic. A touch of red wine vinegar at the end brightens the soup, adding a layer of complexity that elevates the overall taste, a signature trick for adding depth to simple dishes.
Serving suggestions are where you can really personalize this soup, Pioneer Woman style! Consider topping it with fresh green onions, a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, shredded cheese (dairy or dairy-free), or fresh parsley. For a truly satisfying meal, serve it alongside cornbread muffins or crusty garlic bread for dipping – classic pairings that Ree herself would surely approve of.
Ingredient Notes and Easy Swaps
Ground Beef: Lean ground beef is a great choice, but you can use regular ground beef for extra richness. Remember to drain off any excess grease after browning, a key step in keeping the soup healthy and flavorful.
Vegetable Medley: This recipe calls for bell peppers, onions, carrots, celery, and potatoes, creating a colorful and nutritious mix. Feel free to adjust the vegetables based on your preferences or what you have on hand. Adding green beans, corn, or peas would also be delicious and in keeping with the spirit of hearty, vegetable-packed soups.
Broth Options: Chicken stock is recommended, but beef broth can also be used for a richer, beefier flavor. For an even deeper flavor, consider using homemade chicken stock or bone broth, echoing the from-scratch cooking often highlighted in Pioneer Woman recipes.
Potato Choice: Waxy yellow potatoes hold their shape well in soup, but russet potatoes, sweet potatoes, or even butternut squash can be used as alternatives, adding a touch of sweetness.
Seasoning Simplicity: Garlic powder and Italian seasoning provide classic savory notes, but feel free to experiment with other herbs and spices. A bay leaf added during cooking can also enhance the depth of flavor, a simple yet effective technique often used in long-simmered dishes.
Tomato Paste Power: Tomato paste is essential for adding concentrated tomato flavor without thinning the soup, unlike diced tomatoes. This trick ensures a rich and robust soup base, a hallmark of well-developed flavors in home cooking.
Storing and Freezing Tips
This Pioneer Woman inspired hamburger soup is even more delicious the next day, as the flavors have had more time to meld. Leftovers are perfect for lunch and will keep well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days in an airtight container.
For longer storage, this soup freezes beautifully. Freeze it in gallon-sized freezer bags or individual portions in mason jars for easy lunches or quick dinners. Properly stored, frozen hamburger soup will last for 2-3 months. This make-ahead convenience is perfect for busy families who appreciate home-cooked meals without the daily fuss.
Recipe Adaptations for Dietary Needs
This recipe is naturally dairy-free, gluten-free, and nut-free, making it suitable for various dietary needs. It can also be adapted for Paleo and Whole30 diets by ensuring all ingredients are compliant (specifically checking broth and seasonings). This flexibility mirrors the accommodating nature of many Pioneer Woman recipes, which are often adaptable to different tastes and dietary preferences.
Pioneer Woman Inspired Slow Cooker Hamburger Soup Recipe
Inspired by: The Pioneer Woman’s classic Hamburger Soup
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 7-8 hours (slow cooker) or 35 minutes (stovetop)
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 5 large carrots, peeled and sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and diced
- 4 waxy yellow potatoes, cubed
- 1 (6-oz) can tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 3 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 quart chicken stock or beef broth
- 1 cup water
- 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
Equipment:
- Slow Cooker or Large Pot
- Skillet
Instructions:
Slow Cooker Method:
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté diced onion for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add ground beef and 1 teaspoon of salt. Cook until browned, drain excess grease.
- Transfer cooked beef and onion to a 6-quart slow cooker. Add celery, carrots, bell peppers, potatoes, tomato paste, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, 2 teaspoons salt, pepper, chicken stock, and water. Stir well.
- Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours, until vegetables are tender.
- Stir in red wine vinegar before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot with desired toppings.
Stovetop Method:
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté diced onion for 3-4 minutes. Add ground beef and 1 teaspoon salt. Cook until browned, drain grease.
- Add celery, carrots, bell peppers, potatoes, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, pepper, and 2 teaspoons salt to the pot. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring.
- Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
- Pour in chicken stock and water, stirring to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 30-35 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.
- Stir in red wine vinegar before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot with desired toppings.
Recipe Notes:
- For a spicier soup, add red pepper flakes or extra black pepper.
- Serving suggestions: green onions, parsley, shredded cheese, sour cream.
- Inspired by The Pioneer Woman’s Hamburger Soup recipe.
- Nutritional information is calculated using lean ground beef and chicken stock.
- See blog post for ingredient substitutions and variations.
Nutrition Information (per serving, approximate):
Calories: 415kcal, Carbohydrates: 35g, Protein: 36g, Fat: 12g
Enjoy this hearty and comforting Pioneer Woman inspired hamburger soup!
