Potato & Hamburger Crockpot Soup
Warm up with a hearty Potato & Hamburger Crockpot Soup that is easy to prepare, deeply comforting, and perfect for busy days or cozy nights. This slow-cooked soup combines tender russet potatoes, savory ground beef, aromatic vegetables, and flavorful beef broth into a delicious stew that fills your kitchen with inviting aromas and your belly with satisfying goodness. Ideal for families and meal prep, this budget-friendly comfort food is a go-to dish for any occasion.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 8 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 20 minutes to 8 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Protein
- 1 lb ground hamburger (ground beef)
Vegetables
- 4 medium russet potatoes, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids
Herbs and Seasonings
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Brown the Ground Hamburger: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground hamburger until fully browned and no longer pink, breaking it into small pieces. Drain excess fat to prevent greasiness and develop deeper flavor.
- Prepare Vegetables: Dice the russet potatoes, carrots, celery, and onion into bite-sized pieces. Mince the garlic finely to evenly release its aroma throughout the soup.
- Combine Ingredients in Crockpot: Layer the browned hamburger, chopped vegetables, minced garlic, dried thyme, dried parsley, salt, and pepper in the crockpot. Pour in the beef broth until the ingredients are just covered.
- Cook Low and Slow: Set the crockpot to low heat and cook the soup for 6 to 8 hours. This slow cooking time allows flavors to meld and potatoes to become tender without falling apart.
- Final Seasoning and Serve: Before serving, taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with additional salt or pepper as needed. Garnish with fresh parsley, green onions, shredded cheese, or sour cream if desired, then enjoy the comforting warmth.
Notes
- Use russet potatoes for their starchy texture that holds up well during slow cooking.
- Drain excess fat after browning the hamburger to keep the soup from becoming greasy.
- Browning the meat adds flavor depth, so don’t skip this step despite the extra pan to clean.
- Avoid over-stirring the soup during cooking to prevent breaking up the potatoes.
- Cooking longer on low heat develops better flavor than a quick high setting.
- Optional: Add shredded cheddar or Parmesan near the end for a cheesy twist.
- Optional: Add red pepper flakes or hot sauce for a spicy kick.
- Vegetarian option: Swap ground beef for lentils or mushrooms.
- For thicker soup, mix 1 tablespoon flour or cornstarch with water and stir in near the end of cooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: potato soup, hamburger soup, crockpot recipe, slow cooker soup, comfort food, easy soup, family-friendly, budget-friendly, hearty soup