Name: Healthy Hamburger Soup Recipe With Barley
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 2 h
Total time: 2 h 10 min
Ingredients: 2 pounds of Lean Ground Beef; 1 Large Sweet Onion; 2 Tablespoons of Oil; 4 Large Carrots peel and finely chopped; 3 Celery Stalks finely chopped; 1 26 oz can Diced Tomatoes; 1 can Tomato Soup; 3 cups Beef Broth; 2 cups Water; 1/2 teaspoon dried Parsley; 1/2 teaspoon dried Thyme; 1/2 teaspoon dried Sage; 2 Bay Leafs; Salt u0026 Pepper to taste

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Healthy Hamburger Soup Recipe with Barley

This Hamburger Soup Recipe is simply one of my favourites. Made with everyday ingredients like lean ground beef, onions, carrots, and barley, it always amazes me at how well they all come together to make a perfectly balanced and hearty soup. This hamburger soup recipe has been a long time staple in my home – I have memories of my Oma making this soup for us when I was just a kid – I know you’ll love it!

Why You’ll Love This Hamburger Soup Recipe

Easy to follow steps and readily available ingredients

Super hearty soup loaded with flavour

Loaded with over 25 grams of protein per serving

Healthy recipe perfect for food prep

Freezer friendly

What’s goes in Hamburger Soup?

Lean Ground Beef: 2 pounds of lean ground beef.

Onion: 1 Large Onion chopped fine. I prefer to use a yellow or sweet onion.

Carrots: 4 Large Carrots peeled and chopped fine.

Celery: 3 Large Celery Stalks.

Tomatoes: 1 28oz can of Diced Tomatoes and 1 can of Tomato Soup

Broth: 3 cups of beef broth – you can substitute this for veggie broth if you prefer. I don’t think it makes or breaks the recipe.

Barley: Half a cup of Barley, preferably pearl barley which will cook faster than the alternatives.

Spices: 1 teaspoon each of Dried Parsley, Thyme, and Sage. I also add ground black pepper and salt to taste, and a few bay leaves into this hamburger soup recipe for good measure.

How to Make Hamburger Soup Recipe with Barley

How to Make this Hamburger Soup Recipe

Step 1 Brown the Meat and Onion: In a large pot, or dutch oven, add 2 tablespoons of oil and begin to brown the ground beef and onions over medium heat. Once the meat and onion is cooked (about 10 minutes), drain well using a fine colander, and return to the pot.

Side Note: I’m using my beloved Crock Pot 5 Quart Dutch Oven again for this recipe that I just recently purchased. Because it’s still new to me, I’m trying to find any excuse to take it out and use it. It was also the perfect size for this recipe!

Hamburger Soup Recipe Cooking and Browning the lean ground beef and onions

Step 2 Add Celery and Carrots: While the meat and onions are cooking, finely chop the 4 large carrots and 3 celery stalks. Add them to your pot once the meat and onions have been drained.

Hamburger Soup Recipe with Barley, adding carrots and celery to the pot

Step 3 Add the Tomatoes: Add the can of tomato soup and the 26 oz can of diced tomatoes.

Hamburger Soup recipe Add tomato soup & tomatoes

Step 4 Add the Liquid: Add the 3 coups of beef broth and 2 cups of water to the pot.

Step 5 Spices: Next add the pearl barley, dried thyme, dried parsley, and dried sage to the hamburger soup. I usually will add a few grinds of fresh black pepper here as well.

Hamburger Soup Recipe Simmering On the Stove

Step 6 Let it Simmer: Stir well, cover, then let your hamburger soup simmer for at least 2 hours, but you can let it simmer for up to 4 to enhance the flavours. Taste and season as needed while it’s simmering.

Simple Tips for this Hamburger Soup Recipe

Freeze it! This hamburger soup freezes so well! I usually make a batch and freeze half for a cold or raining day when I don’t feel like cooking. Just freeze it in an air tight container and it should be good for up to 3 months. Just take it out and thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating over the stove or microwave.

Make it Thicker! If you like your soup a little thicker, reduce the amount of water you add to only 1 cup. Reversely, if you prefer your hamburger soup a little thinner add an additional cup of water. This won’t affect the flavour much, only the thickness and texture.

Try Turkey! If you’re looking to lower the fat content and keep the protein roughly the same, try replacing ground the lean ground beef with ground turkey meat. You will be losing some flavour from the reduced fat, so while you are browning the turkey and onions, I’d add a tablespoon of soy sauce to bring some depth back to the soup.