Cody Casey
Slow cooker hamburger soup is a hearty, easy-to-make dish packed with vegetables and flavor. It can be made with potatoes, cabbage, pasta, or rice, and various spices and seasonings can be added to adjust the flavor. The soup is usually cooked with ground beef, but ground turkey or chicken can also be used. The cooking time for this soup in a crock pot varies depending on the desired consistency and the specific recipe, but it typically ranges from 3 to 8 hours on low heat or 1.5 to 4 hours on high heat.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of meat | Ground beef, ground turkey, ground chicken |
| Vegetables | Potatoes, carrots, peas, cabbage, celery, onion, garlic, sweet potatoes, red bell peppers, green bell peppers |
| Spices | Salt, pepper, oregano, basil, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, hot sauce |
| Other ingredients | Tomato paste, beef broth, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, brown sugar, vinegar, olive oil |
| Time to cook | 3-4 hours on high, 5-6 hours on low, or 6-8 hours on low until potatoes are tender |
| Cheese | Pepper Jack cheese, Cheddar Cheese, Colby Jack cheese |
| Bread | French bread, fresh-baked bread, crusty bread |
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What You'll Learn
Crockpot Hamburger Soup ingredients
Crockpot Hamburger Soup is a hearty, healthy, and simple dish that can be made with ingredients you likely have on hand. It is a great meal to prepare in advance and freezes well. The soup is rich in vegetables and can be made with either ground beef or ground turkey.
To make Crockpot Hamburger Soup, you will need the following ingredients:
- Ground beef or ground turkey: Lean ground beef is traditional, but ground turkey can be used as a lighter alternative. Ground chicken is another option.
- Vegetables: Potatoes, carrots, peas, corn, cabbage, celery, zucchini, beans, and sweet potatoes are all great options. You can use fresh or frozen vegetables, and they can be chopped or left whole.
- Broth: Beef broth is recommended for added flavour, but any type of broth can be used.
- Seasonings: Onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, salt, pepper, oregano, and cayenne pepper are commonly used to season the soup.
- Tomato: Diced tomatoes or tomato paste can be added for flavour and texture.
- Cheese: Shredded cheddar, Colby Jack, or Pepper Jack cheese can be added to the soup or used as a garnish.
- Cream: Heavy cream can be added to make the soup creamier.
- Other ingredients: You can also add sugar, avocado, bacon, jalapenos, red pepper flakes, hot sauce, or taco seasoning to taste.
With these ingredients and a crockpot, you can make a delicious and hearty hamburger soup that will satisfy both adults and children!
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How to brown ground beef
To cook hamburger soup in a crock pot, you first need to brown the ground beef in a skillet. This is a crucial step as ground beef is not suitable for adding raw to a crock pot.
To brown ground beef, you can use a skillet, a pressure cooker, or an oven. Here is a step-by-step guide to browning ground beef in a skillet:
- Let the ground meat come to room temperature.
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. If your skillet is not non-stick, heat a small amount of cooking oil (about 1 to 2 teaspoons) in the skillet.
- When the oil is hot, add the ground meat in an even layer over the bottom of the pan.
- Use a wooden spoon or heatproof spatula to break up the meat into equal-size pieces as it cooks.
- Cook until the meat is no longer pink and is fully cooked through, stirring occasionally.
- Drain any excess grease.
You can also add ingredients such as onions and/or minced garlic to the ground beef when browning to enhance the flavour of the dish.
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Storing and reheating Hamburger Soup
Leftovers are a great way to ensure you have a tasty meal ready to go in the fridge or freezer. Hamburger soup is no exception. This guide will take you through the best practices for storing and reheating your soup.
Storing
Firstly, it is important to cool your soup as quickly as possible to prevent bacterial growth. Divide your soup into shallow containers to speed up the cooling process. Aim for a refrigerator-safe temperature of 40° F or below. Cover your containers and place them in the fridge.
Your soup should last around three days in the fridge, but this can vary depending on the ingredients. Seafood soups should be eaten within two to three days, while chicken soup can last up to five days. Clear, vegetable-based soups may last longer, and creamy soups will likely only keep for three days. Always use your senses to check if your soup is still good to eat before consuming it.
If you wish to freeze your soup, it is best to undercook the vegetables first. Leave about an inch of space at the top of your container, as the soup will expand when frozen. Label your containers and store them in the freezer for up to three to four months.
Reheating
When you are ready to enjoy your soup again, there are a few methods you can use to reheat it safely. You can use a stovetop, saucepan, microwave, or oven, depending on your preference.
If you are reheating a frozen soup, it is safe to do so without thawing it first. However, this will take longer than reheating a thawed soup. If you wish to thaw your soup first, you can do so in the refrigerator, in cold water, or using a microwave.
Regardless of your reheating method, ensure that your soup reaches 165° F to kill any harmful bacteria. Bring broths and clear soups to a boil for three minutes. If your soup contains thickeners like cream or flour, or if it is a seafood soup, be cautious as boiling may change the flavour and texture.
It is best to only reheat the portion of soup you intend to eat. Do not reheat a portion more than once.
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Vegetables to add to the soup
When making hamburger soup in a crock pot, you can add a variety of vegetables to the mix. Here are some ideas for vegetables that will add flavour, texture, and nutrients to your soup:
Potatoes: Potatoes are a standard ingredient in hamburger soup. While russet potatoes are commonly used, you can also use red potatoes, Yukon gold potatoes, fingerling potatoes, or long white potatoes. These potatoes will add substance and a starchy texture to your soup.
Carrots: Carrots are a great source of vitamins and add a sweet, earthy flavour to the soup. They pair well with other vegetables and will soften nicely during the cooking process.
Sweet potatoes: If you want to boost the nutritional value of your soup, consider using sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes. They provide extra vitamins and nutrients, and their natural sweetness can enhance the overall flavour of the dish.
Peas: Peas are a kid-friendly option that adds colour and texture to the soup. They are a good source of protein and other nutrients. You can add frozen peas directly to the soup, or cook them separately and stir them in at the end.
Cabbage: Cabbage is a leafy green vegetable that can add bulk to your soup without altering the flavour too much. It's a healthy option that can be cooked down to a tender texture.
Onions and bell peppers: These vegetables are commonly used as a flavour base for many dishes. They can be diced and frozen ahead of time, making them convenient to add to your soup. Onions, in particular, can be cooked with the ground beef to develop their sweetness.
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How to adjust the consistency of the soup
The consistency of your hamburger soup is important to get right—too thin and it will be more like a broth, too thick and it will be like a stew. The good news is that it's easy to adjust the consistency of your soup to get it just right.
First, decide if you want a thinner or thicker soup. If you want a thinner soup, simply add some extra water or broth to the crockpot. Give it a good stir and let it cook for a few minutes to see how the consistency changes. You can always add more water or broth if it's still too thick. If you're going to add a lot of extra liquid, you might want to add some more spices or seasonings to compensate for the dilution of flavour.
If you want a thicker soup, there are a few options. You can cook the soup for a little longer with the lid off, which will reduce the liquid content and thicken the soup. You could also add a cornstarch mixture to the soup and stir well. Another option is to add some pureed vegetables to the soup—try blending some of the vegetables you've already added to the soup and then stir this back through. Alternatively, add some cooked rice or pasta to the soup to bulk it up and make it thicker.
If you're freezing your soup, be aware that potato can change texture when frozen, so you might want to leave this out and add it fresh when you reheat the soup. You can also thicken the soup when you reheat it, so if you prefer a thinner soup for freezing and storing, that's an option.
Finally, remember that the consistency of your soup will depend on your personal preference, so feel free to experiment until you get it just right for your taste.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes 3-4 hours to cook hamburger soup on a high setting and 6-8 hours on a low setting.
You can add potatoes, carrots, water, ground beef, diced tomatoes, beef broth, sugar, corn, taco seasoning, and cheese.
It takes 7 minutes to cook ground beef for the crock pot hamburger soup. Break the meat into small pieces and cook until it is no longer pink.
The crock pot hamburger soup can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or frozen for 4-6 months.
