Hearty Crock Pot Cowboy Soup (Hamburger Soup)

🥣 Description

This rustic, comforting Crock Pot Cowboy Soup is a hearty mix of seasoned ground beef, tender vegetables, beans, and tomatoes — slow cooked to rich, wholesome perfection. Packed with bold Southwestern flavor and down-home heartiness, it’s a filling one-pot meal that’s perfect for chilly nights, busy weekdays, or feeding a hungry crowd.

🍲 Ingredients for Hearty Crock Pot Cowboy Soup (Hamburger Soup)

• 1 lb (450g) lean ground beef

• 1 medium onion, diced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 3 medium potatoes, peeled & cubed

• 2 large carrots, sliced

• 2 ribs celery, diced

• 1 cup frozen corn

• 1 cup frozen green beans

• 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes (with juice)

• 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce

• 1 (15 oz) can pinto beans, drained & rinsed

• 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained & rinsed

• 4 cups (1 quart) beef broth

• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• 1 tsp chili powder

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• Salt & black pepper, to taste

🔥 Instructions

1. Brown the Beef
   In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef with onion and garlic until no longer pink. Drain grease.

2. Load the Crock Pot
   Transfer the beef mixture to your slow cooker. Add potatoes, carrots, celery, corn, green beans, tomatoes, tomato sauce, beans, broth, Worcestershire, and seasonings.

3. Cook Low & Slow

   • Cook on LOW for 6–8 hours (or HIGH for 3–4 hours) until vegetables are tender and flavors meld.

4. Taste & Serve
   Adjust salt/pepper if needed. Serve hot with crusty bread, cornbread, or crackers.

📌 Notes

• Make it spicier by adding diced green chilies or jalapeños.

• Swap hamburger for ground turkey or bison for a leaner soup.

• Freeze leftovers in airtight containers for up to 3 months.

💡 Tips

• Pre-brown meat the night before to save time in the morning.

• Cut veggies evenly for consistent cooking.

• Stir halfway through cooking if possible for best texture distribution.

👨‍👩‍👧 Servings

Makes 6–8 hearty servings

⚖️ Nutritional Info (per serving — approx.)

(Values vary based on specific brands and ingredients.)

🌟 Benefits

• Protein-rich from beef and beans

• High fiber for digestion & satiety

• Convenient one-pot meal that simmers hands-off

• Freezer-friendly for future quick meals

❓ Q & A

Q: Can I cook it on the stove instead of a crock pot?
A: Yes — simmer on low in a Dutch oven for 1–1½ hours, stirring occasionally.

Q: Can I add pasta or rice?
A: Absolutely. Stir in 1 cup of small pasta or rice during the last 30 minutes (on HIGH) so it doesn’t overcook.

Q: How do I thicken the soup?
A: Mash a few of the potatoes/beans in the soup, or stir in a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water) during the last 20 min.

Q: Is it gluten-free?
A: Yes — as long as your Worcestershire sauce and broth are certified gluten-free.