Description
Crockpot hamburger soup is a hearty, comforting one-pot meal featuring lean ground beef, fresh vegetables, and tender potatoes, all slow-cooked to perfection. Perfect for chilly evenings or busy days. Easily made gluten-free, low-carb, or dairy-free.
Ingredients
For the Base:
– 1 lb lean ground beef (substitute ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for dietary needs)
– 1 medium yellow onion, diced
– 1 green bell pepper, diced
– 6 cloves garlic, minced
For the Vegetables:
– 10 oz peeled and cubed sweet potato or butternut squash
– 10 oz cubed Yukon gold potatoes
– 2 medium carrots, diced
– 2 ribs celery, diced
– 2 cups chopped kale (optional; substitute spinach if needed)
For the Liquid:
– 2 cans (14 oz each) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
– 6 oz tomato paste
– 4 cups low-sodium beef broth (plus more as needed; use gluten-free broth if required)
For Seasoning:
– 1½ tbsp Italian seasoning
– 1 tsp sea salt (adjust to taste)
– ½ tsp black pepper
Optional Add-ins:
– Fresh or frozen green beans (add during the last hour of cooking)
– Red pepper flakes or smoked paprika (for heat)
– Splash of balsamic vinegar or sour cream (for tangy contrast)
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, onion, green pepper, and garlic until the beef is no longer pink. Drain excess grease and transfer the mixture to a large slow cooker.
- Add the diced vegetables (sweet potato, Yukon gold potatoes, carrots, celery), fire-roasted tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker. Stir well to combine.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 8–9 hours or on HIGH for 5–6 hours, until the vegetables are tender.
- About 1 hour before serving, stir in fresh green beans and kale (or spinach). If using frozen green beans, add them during the last 30 minutes to preserve texture.
- If the soup thickens too much, stir in additional broth or water until you reach your desired consistency.
- Taste and adjust seasoning before serving. Garnish with grated Parmesan, a drizzle of olive oil, or fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
– Use fire-roasted tomatoes: They add a subtle smokiness that enhances the soup’s flavor.
– Avoid overcooking delicate vegetables: Add greens like kale or green beans toward the end to retain color, nutrients, and texture.
– Gluten-free option: Use gluten-free broth and verify all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
– Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Freeze for longer storage; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding broth or water as needed to restore consistency.
– Customizations: Replace potatoes with cauliflower florets or zucchini chunks for a low-carb option. Add mushrooms, corn, or zucchini for extra nutrition.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: : 8–9 hours (LOW) or 5–6 hours (HIGH)
- Category: Soup / Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American / Comfort Food
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (based on 6 servings per recipe)
- Calories: ~250
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 700mg (varies with added seasonings, use low-sodium broth to reduce)
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 40mg