Cozy up with this easy Potato & Hamburger Crockpot Soup filled with rich, comforting flavors slow-cooked to perfection for a hearty meal. This satisfying soup brings together tender chunks of potato, savory ground hamburger, and a medley of herbs and spices, making it a perfect one-pot dish for chilly evenings or anytime you crave a filling, home-cooked meal. Whether you’re new to crockpot cooking or a seasoned pro, this recipe delivers warmth and nourishment with every spoonful.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Effortless Preparation: Simply combine ingredients and let your crockpot do the magic all day.
Hearty and Filling: Packed with potatoes and ground beef, it keeps hunger at bay for hours.
Comfort Food Classic: A warm, savory dish that feels like a hug in a bowl on any cold night.
Family Favorite: Easy to customize and perfect for feeding a crowd or meal prepping.
Budget-Friendly: Uses simple, affordable ingredients without sacrificing flavor.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Potato & Hamburger Crockpot Soup uses simple but essential ingredients that bring out a perfect balance of taste, texture, and inviting color. Each element plays an important role, making this soup deeply satisfying and easy to prepare.

Ground beef: Provides rich, savory flavor and protein, making the soup hearty.
Potatoes: Adds creamy texture and bulk, a comforting staple in this recipe.
Onion and garlic: Build the flavor base with aromatics that enhance every bite.
Beef broth: The liquid foundation that infuses the soup with depth and richness.
Carrots and celery: Classic soup veggies that contribute subtle sweetness and crunch.
Tomato paste: Adds a touch of acidity and color, enriching the savory profile.
Seasonings: Salt, pepper, thyme, and bay leaves bring warmth and balance.
Cheddar cheese (optional): For topping, it melts beautifully on serving to add creaminess.

Variations for Potato & Hamburger Crockpot Soup

This recipe is super flexible, making it easy to adapt to your pantry, dietary needs, or simply to try new flavors. Mix and match ingredients to craft your perfect cozy bowl anytime!

Dairy-Free Version: Skip the cheese and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth for a lighter, dairy-free option.
Extra Veggies: Add peas, corn, or green beans for added texture and color.
Spicy Kick: Stir in a pinch of cayenne or diced jalapeños for some heat.
Herb Variations: Swap thyme for rosemary or add fresh parsley for a fresh finish.
Low-Carb Twist: Replace potatoes with cauliflower florets to reduce carbs but keep heartiness.

Hearty Potato & Hamburger Crockpot Soup Recipe

How to Make Potato & Hamburger Crockpot Soup

Step 1: Brown the Ground Beef

Start by browning the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until fully cooked and crumbly. This step adds rich flavor and removes excess fat, which you can drain before adding beef to the crockpot.

Step 2: Prepare the Vegetables

While the beef cooks, chop the potatoes into bite-sized pieces and dice the carrots, celery, onion, and garlic. Fresh vegetables make a huge difference in texture and flavor.

Step 3: Combine Ingredients in Crockpot

Once the beef is ready, add it to the crockpot along with potatoes, carrots, celery, onions, garlic, beef broth, tomato paste, and seasonings. Give everything a gentle stir to mix flavors evenly.

Step 4: Cook Low and Slow

Set your crockpot to low and let the soup cook for 6 to 8 hours, or high for 3 to 4 hours. This slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the potatoes to become tender but not mushy.

Step 5: Final Touches

About 15 minutes before serving, remove the bay leaves and taste for seasoning adjustments. Top with shredded cheddar cheese or fresh herbs for added flavor and presentation.

Pro Tips for Making Potato & Hamburger Crockpot Soup

Use starchy potatoes: Russet or Yukon Gold hold up well without disintegrating during slow cooking.
Don’t skip browning beef: It significantly boosts flavor and reduces greasiness in the soup.
Layer flavor: Adding tomato paste early deepens the savory base.
Stir occasionally: If your crockpot allows, stir halfway through cooking to prevent sticking.
Customize thickness: For thicker soup, mash a few potato chunks before serving or reduce broth slightly.

How to Serve Potato & Hamburger Crockpot Soup

Garnishes

Fresh chopped parsley, a sprinkle of shredded cheddar, or a dollop of sour cream brings the soup to life with color and added layers of taste. Crispy bacon bits or green onions also make delightful toppings.

Side Dishes

Pair this hearty soup with crusty bread, warm dinner rolls, or a simple green salad for a complete, satisfying meal that covers all bases from savory to fresh.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve the soup in bread bowls for a fun twist, or layer it in clear glasses with cheese and herbs visible to showcase its rustic charm, making it perfect for casual dinners or parties.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover Potato & Hamburger Crockpot Soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors often develop even more after resting overnight.

Freezing

This soup freezes beautifully. Portion it into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently on the stove.

Reheating

Reheat soup on low heat in a pot, stirring occasionally. If it thickens too much, add a splash of broth or water to reach your desired consistency.

FAQs

Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Absolutely! Ground turkey works well as a leaner alternative and still delivers great flavor, though it may be slightly less rich.

Should I peel the potatoes?

It’s optional. Leaving the skins on adds texture and nutrients, while peeling gives a smoother soup. Choose based on your texture preference.

How do I prevent the potatoes from getting mushy?

Choose firmer potato varieties and avoid overcooking by checking doneness towards the end; cooking on low heat helps maintain their shape better.

Can I make this soup in an Instant Pot?

Yes! Use the sauté function to brown the beef and then cook under pressure for about 10 minutes, followed by a natural release.

Is this recipe freezer-friendly?

Definitely! Freeze in portions after cooling completely, and thaw in the fridge before reheating for convenience and meal prep.

Final Thoughts

This Potato & Hamburger Crockpot Soup is a cozy, delicious meal that’s surprisingly easy to prepare and endlessly rewarding. Perfect for busy days or chilly nights, it fills your kitchen with warm aromas and your belly with comfort. Give it a try—you might just find a new favorite to turn to again and again.

Potato & Hamburger Crockpot Soup

Print Recipe

Cozy up with this easy Potato & Hamburger Crockpot Soup filled with rich, comforting flavors slow-cooked to perfection. This hearty soup features tender potatoes, savory ground beef, aromatic vegetables, and a blend of herbs and spices, making it a perfect one-pot meal for chilly evenings or anytime you crave a warm, satisfying dish.

Author: Emilly
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 6 to 8 hours (low) or 3 to 4 hours (high)
Total Time: 6 hours 20 minutes to 8 hours 20 minutes (low) or 3 hours 20 minutes to 4 hours 20 minutes (high)
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: Soups
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
4 cups potatoes, chopped into bite-sized pieces (Russet or Yukon Gold recommended)
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups beef broth
2 medium carrots, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
2 tbsp tomato paste
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp dried thyme
2 bay leaves

Optional Ingredients

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (for topping)
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Sour cream (for garnish)
Bacon bits or green onions (optional toppings)

Instructions

Brown the Ground Beef: Start by browning the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until fully cooked and crumbly. Drain excess fat before adding the beef to the crockpot to reduce greasiness.
Prepare the Vegetables: While the beef cooks, chop the potatoes into bite-sized pieces and dice the carrots, celery, onion, and garlic to ensure fresh, flavorful texture in the soup.
Combine Ingredients in Crockpot: Add the browned beef, potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, beef broth, tomato paste, salt, pepper, thyme, and bay leaves into the crockpot. Stir gently to combine all the flavors evenly.
Cook Low and Slow: Set the crockpot to low and cook for 6 to 8 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours. This slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld and potatoes to become tender without turning mushy.
Final Touches: About 15 minutes before serving, remove the bay leaves and taste to adjust seasoning as needed. Top with shredded cheddar cheese or fresh herbs if desired before serving.

Notes

Use starchy potatoes such as Russet or Yukon Gold to prevent disintegration during cooking.
Browning the beef adds significant flavor and helps reduce excess grease in the soup.
Adding tomato paste early deepens the savory flavor base of the soup.
If your crockpot allows, stir the soup halfway through cooking to avoid sticking.
For thicker soup, mash a few potato chunks before serving or reduce broth quantity slightly.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 280
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 700mg
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 18g
Cholesterol: 60mg

Keywords: potato soup, hamburger soup, crockpot recipe, slow cooker soup, ground beef soup, comforting soup, easy dinner, hearty soup, budget-friendly meal