I predict this Hamburger Soup recipe will soon become a requested family favorite at your house. This is one of my husband’s favorite meals and a soup I’ve made for many years.
This soup is full of protein and healthy vegetables to satisfy you and is a perfect dinner for a fall or winter night. The leftovers are even better for lunch the next day.
We’ve provided instructions for this hearty soup recipe for stove top and pressure cooker.
When I started pressure cooking, I knew this was a recipe to modify and create an Instant Pot version.
My family loves this soup for its rich, bold flavor. As someone who has lost 100 pounds and has been maintaining for the last 10 years, I love and appreciate that this soup is packed full of healthy vegetables.
When you use lean ground beef (or even leaner, ground turkey breast, especially for the Weight Watchers among us), this soup is incredibly healthy and low in calories/points. I’ve included a link to the WW recipe points below.
I also love that this soup recipe is inexpensive but has a rich, meaty flavor. This recipe is sure to become one of your Instant Pot recipe favorites.
Why You Should Make This Healthy Hamburger Soup
- Budget-Friendly & Simple โ Uses affordable ingredients and comes together easily.
- Healthy & Nutritious โ Loaded with lean protein and vegetables for a well-balanced meal.
- Weight Watchers-Friendly โ Lower in points than traditional beef soups, making it a great option for weight loss.
- Perfect for Meal Prep โ Leftovers taste even better, and it freezes beautifully for future meals.
- Customizable for Any Diet โ Easily swap ingredients to make it low-carb, gluten-free, or dairy-free.
What is Healthy Hamburger Soup?
Healthy Hamburger Soup is a hearty, vegetable-packed soup made with lean ground beef or turkey, simmered in a rich, savory broth with potatoes, rice, and cabbage. This soup is nutritious, satisfying, and perfect for meal prep, making it an ideal family-friendly meal.
Ingredients to Make Healthy Hamburger Soup
- Olive oil
- Carrots
- Celery
- Onion
- Tomatoes
- Ground beef
- Water
- Potatoes
- Brown rice
- Bay leaf
- Basil leaves
- Pepper
- Salt
- Cabbage
- Cheddar cheese
Weight Watchers Points for Healthy Hamburger Soup
This homemade soup is a fantastic Weight Watchers-friendly option, lower in points than many store-bought or restaurant soups.
For comparison:
- A fast-food chili or soup can range from 10 to 18 points per serving.
- This homemade Healthy Hamburger Soup is much lower, at just 3-5 points per serving (depending on ingredients used).
Track this recipe in the WW app here.
What Should I Eat with Healthy Hamburger Soup?
This soup is a complete meal on its own, but if youโd like to pair it with something, try:
How Long Does Healthy Hamburger Soup Last?
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freeze: This soup freezes well – store in portions for up to 3 months.
How Do I Store Healthy Hamburger Soup?
To keep the soup fresh, store it in the fridge in an airtight container. If freezing, divide it into portions, allow it to cool completely, and freeze in zip-top bags or containers.
Can I Freeze Healthy Hamburger Soup?
Yes! Hereโs how:
- Let the soup cool completely before freezing.
- Store in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 3 months.
- Tip: Freeze in individual portions for quick, easy meals.
FAQ’s About Instant Pot Hamburger Soup
You can make several types of soups using ground beef or ground turkey, including:
Classic Hamburger Soup โ A tomato-based soup with vegetables and potatoes.
Taco Soup โ A Mexican-inspired soup with beans, corn, and taco seasoning.
Cabbage Roll Soup โ A hearty soup with ground beef, cabbage, and rice.
Beef and Vegetable Soup โ A nutrient-packed option with mixed veggies.
The secret ingredient in a great soup is umamiโa deep, savory flavor that makes the soup rich and satisfying. Some secret ingredients that enhance soup flavor include:
– A splash of Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce for depth.
– A Parmesan rind simmered in the broth for a subtle richness.
– A pinch of sugar or balsamic vinegar to balance acidity in tomato-based soups.
– A bay leaf to infuse extra flavor during cooking.
Yes! Hamburger soup can be a very healthy meal, especially when made with lean ground beef or turkey, plenty of vegetables, and a broth-based (instead of cream-based) soup. Using cauliflower rice instead of potatoes or white rice can lower the carb content for a low-carb option.
How to Make Instant Pot Hamburger Soup – Step-by-Step
Step 1: Sautรฉ the Aromatics
This recipe comes together quickly in the Instant Pot pressure cooker, and the flavor is amazing.
Select the “sautรฉ” setting on the Instant Pot and heat the olive oil. Add celery and onions, cooking for 2-3 minutes until softened but not brown.
Step 2: Brown the Meat
Add the ground beef and break it into small pieces. Cook until no longer pink, then drain off excess fat if needed.
Step 3: Add the Ingredients
Stir in the diced tomatoes, water, potatoes, brown rice, bay leaf, basil, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine.
Step 4: Pressure Cook
Cancel “sautรฉ” mode, secure the lid, and set to manual HIGH pressure for 9 minutes. When done, allow a natural release for 3 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
Step 5: Add Cabbage & Serve
Remove the lid, stir in the chopped cabbage, and let the soup sit for 5 minutes. Remove the bay leaf before serving. Ladle into bowls and top with shredded cheese, if desired.
Hamburger Soup Stove Top Instructions
No Instant Pot? No problem. This soup works equally well cooked on the stove. Follow these stove top instructions:
- Add oil to a large soup pot. Sautee celery and onions for 2-3 minutes until wilted but not brown.
- Add ground beef. Crumble and cook with vegetables until no longer pink.
- Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil.
- Reduce to a simmer and cover with a lid. Simmer for 45 minutes or until potatoes and rice are soft.
- Ladle into bowls, and if desired, top with some cheese.
Healthy Hamburger Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 3 medium carrots diced large
- 1 cup celery diced
- 1 cup onion diced
- 3ยฝ cups diced tomatoes fresh or canned
- 1 pound ground beef lean
- 1ยฝ quarts water
- 6 small potatoes about 1ยฝ inches each
- 1 cup brown rice uncooked
- 1 bay leaf
- 3 fresh basil leaves or 1 tsp dried basil
- โ tsp pepper
- 3 tsp of salt
- 1 cup cabbage thinly sliced purple or green
- ยฝ cup shredded cheddar optional
Instructions
Instant Pot
- Select the "sautรฉ" setting on the Instant Pot and heat the oil. Add the celery and onions. Cook for 2-3 minutes until softened but not brown.
- Stir in the tomatoes and the ground beef. Break the meat into small pieces. Drain off fat if needed.
- Mix in the remaining ingredients except the cabbage.
- Cancel the "sautรฉ" mode and select "manual" for 9 minutes.
- When the Instant Pot beeps, allow it to natural release for 3 minutes. Then quick release.
- Remove the lid and stir. Mix in the cabbage and allow to sit for 5 minutes.
- Remove the bay leaf.
- Ladle into bowls and top with a sprinkle of cheese if desired.
Stove Top
- Add oil to a large soup pot. Sautรฉ celery and onions for 2 to 3 minutes until wilted but not brown.
- Add ground beef. Crumble and cook with vegetables until no longer pink. Drain off fat if needed.
- Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil.
- Reduce to a simmer and cover with a lid. Simmer for 45 minutes or until potatoes, cabbage, and rice are soft but not mushy.
- Remove the bay leaf.
- Ladle into bowls and top with a sprinkle of cheese if desired.
WW Information
WW Program 2025
The WW program updated for 2025. Use the “Add recipe from the web” feature if needed for points. -Sara
Click here for the FREE 3 Day Meal Plan featured in Woman’s World magazine.
Notes
Nutrition
What’s your favorite soup recipe?
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Definitely need to try this one! Love easy soups.
Hearty Hamburger Soup! Love soups in the cooler weather, and I will have extra meals.