Hey there, momma! Today, I’m sharing my friend Putzy’s Ground Beef Vegetable Soup, and let me tell you—it’s the ultimate cozy meal for those chilly fall days!!
The best part? You can make it your own by adding dumplings, rice, noodles, or even swapping the ground beef for stew meat—it’s totally customizable!
I love to put dumplings in our ground beef vegetable soup.
You can use fresh vegetables or frozen veggies – this soup is so versatile and perfect for whatever you have on hand! Plus, it’s a breeze to cook up in the Instant Pot, slow cooker, or right on the stovetop.
In our house, this soup is a fall favorite because it’s quick, hearty, and perfect for meal prepping. So grab your ingredients, and let’s make some vegetable beef soup! 🙌
Ingredients for Vegetable Beef Soup
One of the best things about this vegetable soup is how versatile it is—you can toss in just about any veggie you have on hand! Don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations or adjust the quantities to suit your family’s preferences.
Whether you stick to the recipe or add your own twist, this soup will still turn out delicious and hearty. So feel free to make it your own!
1 ½ pounds of ground beef, cooked and drained
1 quart of tomatoes (or two 16-ounce cans) – I often use stewed tomatoes from the garden, for extra flavor
1/4 cup barley
1 heaping tablespoon of beef base (you can substitute with beef bouillon cubes or beef broth)
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
Pro tip: I often use my mom’s homemade veggie soup stock for a richer, deeper flavor, if I have it on hand.
You can use approximately 1 cup of each vegetable listed below, but don’t hesitate to add more or less depending on your taste. Feel free to swap in other vegetables like zucchini, green beans, or peas—you can’t go wrong!
Vegetables
1 cup cabbage, chopped
1 cup onions, diced
1 cup carrots, sliced
1 cup rutabagas, diced
1 cup celery, chopped
Dumpling Ingredients (optional)
1 egg
¾ cup milk
1 ½ cups flour
With these ingredients on hand, you’re all set to create a hearty, flavorful ground beef vegetable soup that’s sure to please. Remember, this recipe is incredibly forgiving, so feel free to mix and match ingredients based on your preferences or what’s available in your kitchen!
How to Make Hamburger Vegetable Soup
Now that you’ve got all your ingredients ready, it’s time to bring this hearty soup to life! Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a comforting, homemade Hamburger Vegetable Soup simmering away in no time.
1. Chop the vegetables into bite-sized pieces. You can use approximately 1 cup of each, or adjust based on your preference.
2. In a large soup pot or frying pan, brown the ground beef over medium heat until fully cooked, then drain the excess fat.
3. Add the tomatoes, beef base, barley, garlic, and all the chopped vegetables to the pot with the cooked beef.
4. Bring the soup to a boil over high heat.
5. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer the soup for about 30-40 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and the flavors have melded together.
6. If making dumplings, mix together the egg, milk, and flour with a fork, until a batter forms. Drop spoonfuls of the batter into the boiling soup.
7. Allow the dumplings to cook for 10 minutes without stirring, until they are cooked through.
8. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding salt, pepper, or additional herbs to your liking.
Once your veggies are tender and the flavors have come together, your ground beef vegetable soup is ready to serve.
Easy breezy! You’ll have a comforting, homemade meal on the table in no time, perfect for busy days or cozy nights in.
Customize Your Vegetable Beef Soup!
One of the best things about this soup is how easily you can customize it to fit your family’s preferences or dietary needs. Whether you’re looking to make it low-carb, vegetarian, or just a little heartier, the possibilities are endless!
Low-Carb/Keto-Friendly Option: Swap out starchy veggies like potatoes or carrots for low-carb alternatives like zucchini, spinach, or cauliflower. You can also skip the barley for an even lower-carb version.
Vegetarian/Vegan Substitutes: Want to go meatless? Simply leave out the ground beef and add extra veggies or use plant-based ground meat. You can also swap the beef broth for vegetable broth to keep it entirely vegan.
Add Grains for Extra Heft: If you want to make the soup even more filling, try adding grains like quinoa, barley, or rice. They absorb all the delicious broth and make the soup even more comforting.
Experiment with Different Proteins: Not in the mood for ground beef? Feel free to use stew beef, ground turkey, or even chicken. Whatever protein you prefer will work beautifully in this soup.
Add Noodles for Extra Comfort: If you love noodles, try adding cooked egg noodles, rotini, elbow macaroni, or even gluten-free noodles. Cook them separately and stir them in before serving to keep the perfect texture.
No matter how you customize it, this hamburger soup recipe will always turn out hearty, delicious, and satisfying!
Why Hamburger Soup is So Healthy
Hamburger Vegetable Soup isn’t just delicious—it’s packed with nutrients that make it a great choice for a healthy family meal. The lean ground beef provides a great source of protein and essential vitamins like B12 and iron, which help keep your energy levels up and support muscle health.
Plus, the variety of vegetables adds an abundance of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making this soup a well-rounded meal.
Each bowl of this soup is loaded with vitamin-rich veggies like carrots, cabbage, and celery, which contribute to better digestion, heart health, and a strong immune system. It’s also a low-calorie, low-fat option when made with lean ground beef.
And because it’s a broth-based soup, it’s a satisfying and nutritious meal for those looking to maintain a healthy diet.
Plus, with the ability to customize this recipe, you can easily adjust it to suit your dietary needs, whether you’re looking for low-carb, gluten-free, or high-fiber options.
Soups like this one aren’t just convenient—they’re packed with nutrients, which makes them a win-win for busy moms looking to feed their families well! The combination of veggies, protein, and broth creates a wholesome, balanced meal that fuels growing kids and keeps them full for hours.
This beef vegetable soup is so easy to make in large batches, so you can have extra for lunch the next day – or to pop in the freezer for another night when you’re too busy to cook.
Veggie Soup Storage and Reheating Tips
One of the best things about this soup is that it stores beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep or leftovers.
To keep it fresh, allow the soup to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container.
It’ll keep for up to 5 days, making it a convenient option for quick lunches or dinners throughout the week.
If you want to freeze it, simply portion the cooled soup into freezer-safe containers or bags, leaving a little room for expansion. It’ll keep in the freezer for 3 to 4 months.
When you’re ready to enjoy it again, reheat it slowly on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a bit of extra broth if needed to maintain the perfect consistency.
Just remember, if you’ve added noodles or dumplings, they may absorb more liquid as the soup sits, so you might need to add a little more broth or water when reheating to keep it soupy and delicious!
What to Serve with Your Hamburger Vegetable Beef Soup
This vegetable soup recipe is filling on its own, but if you want to add a little extra to your meal, here are some ideas:
Crusty bread: Perfect for dipping in the rich broth.
Fresh salad: A simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette can balance out the heartiness of the soup.
My friend Putzy always made us egg salad sandwiches with this soup. I know it seems like such a weird combination, but the two were really good together!!
This soup is a hit at casual family dinners, potlucks, or any gathering where you want to bring something cozy and nourishing.
No matter what you serve it with, this soup is the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Whether it’s a light side or something more indulgent, you’ll love how easy it is to round out the meal for a satisfying, wholesome dinner.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Now that you’ve got all the details on how to make this delish ground beef vegetable soup, you might still have a few questions on how to customize it or store it. Don’t worry—I’ve got you covered!
Here are answers to some of the most common questions about making this hearty Hamburger Vegetable Soup.
Can I use frozen vegetables?
Yes, frozen vegetables work perfectly in this recipe! They’re a great time-saver and don’t require any chopping. Just toss them in with the rest of the ingredients.
Can I make this soup in an Instant Pot?
Absolutely! Just brown the ground beef using the sauté function, add the remaining ingredients, and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Quick-release the pressure, and you’re done!
How long can I freeze Ground Beef Vegetable Soup?
This soup will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 4 months. Be sure to let it cool completely before freezing.
What spices work best with this soup?
Along with garlic powder and beef base, you can add a pinch of thyme, bay leaves, or a dash of paprika for extra warmth and flavor.
Can I substitute ground turkey or chicken?
Yes! Ground turkey or chicken are excellent substitutes for ground beef. They’re a lighter option and still give you that satisfying protein.
At the End of the Day…
This Ground Beef Vegetable Soup is more than just a recipe—it’s about bringing your family together around the dinner table. The most important part of making this soup isn’t just about how easy or customizable it is (though that’s a huge bonus!).
It’s about sharing a warm, hearty meal with the people you love. ❤️
Every spoonful is a chance to slow down, connect, and create memories with your family. So, while this hamburger soup may be simple to prepare, the moments you share while eating it are what truly matter.
More of Our Favorite Soups
Hamburger Vegetable Soup
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds hamburger (fried and drained)
- 1 quart tomatoes (or 2 cans of 16 ounce tomatoes)
- cabbage as much as you'd like
- carrots as much as you'd like
- celery as much as you'd like
- onion as much as you'd like
- rutabagas as much as you'd like
- 1/4 cup barley optional
- 1 tbsp. beef base (or use beef bouillon cubes)
- 1/2 tsp. minced garlic
- salt and pepper to taste
Dumpling Ingredients
- 1 egg
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1 1/2 cups flour
Instructions
- Brown the hamburger in a large frying pan or soup kettle. Drain excess fat.
- Chop vegetables into bite-sized pieces.
- Put the hamburger, chopped vegetables, and all ingredients into a large pot.
- Boil until the vegetables are cooked through.
To make the dumplings:
- Mix together the egg and milk with fork. Add flour.
- Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling batter into the boiling soup.
- Allow the dumplings to cook for ten minutes. Do not stir.
- Enjoy!
