Grandma’s Hamburger Soup – A Hearty, Nostalgic Comfort Food Recipe
Grandma’s Hamburger Soup is a hearty and nostalgic comfort food featuring ground beef, fresh vegetables, and a rich tomato-based broth. This easy-to-make soup combines tender potatoes, green beans, carrots, and fragrant herbs for a warming meal perfect for chilly days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Aromatics
- 2 lbs. ground beef
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Vegetables
- 3 carrots, peeled and diced
- 3 ribs of celery, diced
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, not drained
- 2 cups green beans (frozen, cut)
- 4 large red potatoes (about 1½ lbs. total), diced into 1-inch cubes
Liquids and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 4 cups beef broth or beef stock
- 2 cups water
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- Pinch crushed red pepper flakes (or more, to taste)
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Brown the meat and aromatics: In a large pot over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef along with the diced onion and minced garlic until the beef is cooked through and the onions are softened. Drain any excess fat and return the meat mixture to the pot.
- Add vegetables and seasonings: Stir in the carrots, celery, canned diced tomatoes with their juice, green beans, and diced potatoes. Add the tomato paste, beef broth, water, bay leaf, dried oregano, dried thyme, a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper.
- Simmer the soup: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let the soup simmer gently for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Finish and season: Remove the pot from heat. Stir in the chopped fresh parsley and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
Notes
- For a thicker soup, mash some of the potatoes against the side of the pot before stirring.
- Frozen green beans work just as well as fresh ones and can save prep time.
- This soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Serve with crusty bread or crackers for a complete meal.
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes according to desired spice level.
Keywords: hamburger soup, ground beef soup, hearty soup, comfort food, easy dinner, beef and vegetable soup
