Easy Hamburger Vegetable Soup (Shortcuts and Variations)
Easy Hamburger Vegetable Soup is the ultimate comfort soup made with what you have on hand in the pantry, fridge or freezer. I give you plenty of shortcuts and variations so you can make it quickly and inexpensively on the stovetop, Instant Pot, and slow cooker.
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 1.25cup
Equipment
- 8 quart pot
Ingredients
- ½ to ¾ pound lean ground beef
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 2 small round red or Yukon gold potatoes (about 12 ounces) (Russet potatoes will work but will fall apart more easily)
- 3 small carrots (or 1 ½ cups baby carrots sliced)
- 3 ribs celery with leaves There's lots of flavor in the leaves!
- 1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained (or petite diced)
- 1 15 ounce can whole kernel corn, drained
- 1 14.5 ounce can cut green beans, drained
- ¼ teaspoon salt (optional-can be added at the end, if needed)
- 3 cups vegetable, beef or chicken broth
- 1 cup tomato juice or V-8 juice or 1 8-ounce can tomato sauce (optional) (If tomato juice is not used, add 1 additional cup broth)
- ½ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning or a mixture of oregano, thyme, and basil (optional) Or 1 tablespoon chopped fresh herbs
Instructions
- Cook ground beef and onion together in an8-quart pot over medium-high heat, stirring to crumble meat. (If using meat leaner than ground chuck, add 1 tablespoon vegetable or olive oil). Drain meat, if needed. Leaner meats will not need to be drained.
- Meanwhile, chop the fresh vegetables and drain canned vegetables.
- Add vegetables (and herbs if using that variation), stirring well.
- Pour in the broth and tomato juice or V-8 juice. Cover and bring to a boil. Push the lid to the side slightly to vent; reduce heat and simmer 25 minutes or until potatoes are tender. You can simmer longer if desired.
Notes
Instant Pot version: Cook ground beef and onion in the insert pot on SAUTE. Drain, if needed. Add remaining ingredients. (I do not adjust liquid.) Cook on PRESSURE COOK or Manual Mode 5 minutes. It will take about 20 minutes to come up to pressure. Let it NATURAL RELEASE for 10 minutes.
Slow Cooker Method: Cook ground beef and onion in a skillet (unless your slow cooker has the SAUTE mode. Drain and transfer to slow cooker. Add all the ingredients to the slow cooker and stir well. Cover with the lid and cook on LOW 6 to 8 hours or HIGH 3 to 4 hours.
