Potato & Hamburger Crockpot Soup
Potato & Hamburger Crockpot Soup is a hearty and comforting dish that blends tender potatoes, savory ground beef, and vegetables simmered slowly to develop rich flavors. Perfect for busy days or family dinners, this easy-to-prepare soup offers a creamy, filling meal that can be customized with optional cheese, herbs, or spice for added depth and flair.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soups
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground hamburger (ground beef)
- 4 cups potatoes (Russet or Yukon Gold), peeled and diced into bite-sized cubes
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Ingredients
- Shredded cheese (cheddar or your choice), for topping
- Fresh herbs (parsley, thyme), for garnish
- Brown the hamburger: Start by browning the ground hamburger in a skillet over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain excess fat to prevent greasiness, then transfer the beef to your crockpot.
- Prepare the vegetables: Chop potatoes into bite-sized cubes, dice onions, carrots, and celery, and mince garlic. Adding these fresh ingredients will help develop depth and texture as they slowly cook in the crockpot.
- Combine all ingredients in crockpot: Place the browned beef, chopped vegetables, and garlic into the crockpot. Pour in beef broth and season with salt and pepper. Stir everything together to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Slow cook for hours: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. This slow cooking process allows the potatoes to become tender and the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Final touches before serving: Before serving, check seasoning and adjust salt or pepper as needed. Optionally, stir in shredded cheese or sprinkle fresh herbs on top for extra flair.
Notes
- Brown the beef first to enhance flavor and reduce excess fat in the soup.
- Cut potatoes evenly to ensure uniform cooking and the perfect tender texture.
- Do not overfill the crockpot; fill halfway or two-thirds full to allow even cooking and prevent overflow.
- Add dairy like cheese during the last 30 minutes to avoid curdling.
- Add delicate herbs such as parsley at the end, while sturdier herbs like thyme can be added earlier in the cooking process.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: potato soup, hamburger soup, crockpot soup, slow cooker soup, comfort food, easy dinner, family meal, gluten free soup