Creamy And Hearty Slow Cooker Hamburger Soup

I love making soups from scratch, and this Slow Cooker Hamburger Soup is one of my absolute favorites! Not only is it incredibly simple to make, but it’s also incredibly delicious, hearty, and comforting. The best part is that I can throw all the ingredients in the slow cooker and let it do the work while I get on with my day.

Slow Cooker Hamburger Soup Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
• 1 cube beef bouillon
• 4 ½ cups water
• ½ (32 fluid ounce) container beef broth
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15.25 ounce) can whole kernel sweet corn (such as Green Giant® Niblets®), undrained
• 1 cup frozen lima beans
• ¾ cup barley
• 1 teaspoon ground paprika
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, or to taste

Instructions

• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, onion, and celery until the beef is no longer pink, about 8 minutes.
• Transfer the beef mixture to the slow cooker and add the beef bouillon, water, beef broth, crushed tomatoes, corn, lima beans, barley, paprika, Italian seasoning, and bay leaf.
• Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.
• About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the macaroni. Cover and cook on high until the macaroni is tender, about 15 minutes.
• Discard the bay leaf and stir in the parsley.
• Serve the soup hot. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

• Serving Size: 1 cup
• Calories: 210
• Total Fat: 7.5g
• Saturated Fat: 2.5g
• Cholesterol: 20mg
• Sodium: 370mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 24g
• Dietary Fiber: 5g
• Sugars: 5g
• Protein: 11g

Popular variations of slow cooker hamburger soup: regional recipes, spicy additions, vegetarian options

Slow cooker hamburger soup is a simple and delicious dish that can be customized to suit a variety of tastes. Popular variations of this comforting meal include regional recipes, spicy additions, and vegetarian options.

Regional Variations

Slow cooker hamburger soup recipes can be adapted to include regional flavors. For example, in the Southern United States, adding a kick of spice with hot sauce or diced jalapeños is a popular variation. In the Midwest, bacon and potatoes are frequently added to the soup. And in the Southwest, chili powder and diced green chilies are commonly used ingredients.

Spicy Additions

Adding spice to slow cooker hamburger soup is an easy way to give the dish a boost of flavor. Popular options include hot sauce, diced jalapeños, chili powder, Sriracha, and cayenne pepper. To ensure the dish isn’t too spicy, it’s best to add small amounts of the chosen ingredient at a time and allow the flavors to meld together as the soup cooks.

Vegetarian Options

It’s easy to turn slow cooker hamburger soup into a delicious vegetarian dish. Instead of using ground beef, substitute it with a meat-free option such as crumbled tofu, seitan, or black beans. Then, add additional vegetables such as mushrooms, carrots, potatoes, and celery for a hearty and flavorful soup.

No matter what variation is chosen, slow cooker hamburger soup is sure to be a hit. With its endless possibilities for customization, this dish can be tailored to suit any palate.

Common mistakes to avoid when making slow cooker hamburger soup: overcooking, seasoning too much, not adding enough liquid

When making slow cooker hamburger soup, there are three common mistakes to avoid: overcooking, seasoning too much, and not adding enough liquid.

Overcooking can spoil the flavors of slow cooker hamburger soup, as well as make the vegetables mushy. To avoid overcooking, it is best to use the low setting on the slow cooker and to check the soup periodically to ensure that it cooks evenly.

Seasoning too much can make the soup too salty and overpower the other flavors. To avoid this, it is best to start with a small amount of seasoning and add more as needed.

Not adding enough liquid can also cause slow cooker hamburger soup to become dry and unappealing. To ensure that there is enough liquid, it is best to use the full amount of broth or stock the recipe calls for and to check the soup periodically to make sure there is still liquid.

By following these tips and avoiding these common mistakes, anyone can make a delicious and flavorful slow cooker hamburger soup.

Benefits of slow cooker hamburger soup: nutritional value, time-saving tips, cost-effectiveness

Slow cooker hamburger soup has a variety of benefits that make it an ideal choice for those looking to make a delicious and nutritious meal. This article will look at the nutritional value, time-saving tips, and cost-effectiveness of slow cooker hamburger soup.

Nutritional Value:

• Slow cooker hamburger soup is a great way to get a variety of essential nutrients. It is high in protein and contains vitamins A, C, and E.
• It is also a good source of dietary fiber, which can help to promote digestive health.
• The vegetables in the soup provide a healthy dose of vitamins and minerals.

Time-Saving Tips:

• Cooking slow cooker hamburger soup in a slow cooker is a great way to save time.
• The slow cooker does all the work for you, meaning you don’t have to spend time stirring and watching it.
• You can also prep the ingredients ahead of time, so all you have to do is put them in the slow cooker when you’re ready to start cooking.

Cost-Effectiveness:

• Slow cooker hamburger soup is an inexpensive meal that can feed a large group of people.
• It is also a great way to use up leftover ingredients, such as vegetables, meats, and beans.
• The ingredients are usually easy to find and are usually very affordable.

Tips for making the perfect slow cooker hamburger soup: choosing the right meats, flavoring options, vegetable varieties

Creating the perfect slow cooker hamburger soup can be a challenging task. But with the following tips, you can create a delicious and satisfying soup that will keep your family happy for days.

• Choosing the Right Meats:

When selecting the meats for your slow cooker hamburger soup, consider which type of soup you are making. For a heartier soup, use a combination of ground beef and sausage. For a lighter soup, use ground beef and turkey. Both will provide a delicious flavor, but the additional fat from the beef and sausage will make the soup more filling.

• Flavoring Options:

When flavoring your slow cooker hamburger soup, consider adding herbs, spices, and other seasonings. Fresh herbs, like oregano and basil, can add an intense flavor to the soup. Spices, such as cumin and chili powder, can add a bit of heat. Other seasonings, such as onion powder, garlic powder, and bay leaves, can also add flavor.

• Vegetable Varieties:

When selecting vegetables for your slow cooker hamburger soup, consider what type of soup you are making. For a heartier soup, add in potatoes, carrots, and celery. For a lighter soup, add in zucchini, squash, and mushrooms. Both will provide a delicious flavor, but the additional vegetables will make the soup more nutritious.

By following these tips, you can easily create the perfect slow cooker hamburger soup that will keep your family happy and satisfied.

Health benefits of slow cooker hamburger soup: reduced calories, added nutrients, increased fiber intake

Slow cooker hamburger soup offers a range of health benefits, including:

• Reduced calories: To reduce calories, use lean ground beef and low fat broth, and reduce the amount of cheese used.
• Added nutrients: Slow cooker hamburger soup is packed with essential nutrients such as protein, iron, and vitamins A, C, and B.
• Increased fiber intake: To increase fiber intake, add vegetables to the soup, such as carrots, celery, and onions.