Some dinners just fit like your favorite sweater – warm, comforting, and easy to love. That’s exactly what this healthy 30 Minute Hamburger Soup is: cozy, hearty, and quick enough to whip up on a weeknight. No fuss, no hours at the stove, just rich flavor in a single pot.

The beauty of this recipe is that it delivers nourishment and comfort at lightning speed. Lean ground beef (or turkey), diced potatoes, and fresh vegetables simmer happily in a seasoned broth. The result? A full meal in half an hour, ready to serve with pride.

This soup has been a family staple for years, and it’s one of those recipes that never wears out its welcome. Let’s dig in and see why this humble bowl always feels like a hug in food form.

Why This Soup Works in Just 30 Minutes

A lot of people believe soup only tastes good if it simmers for hours. Sure, slow-cooked soups have their place, but this one proves you can get those deep flavors much faster. The trick? Small potato dice, fresh veggies, and bold seasoning.

You’re not layering fifty ingredients here. Just smart, balanced flavors working together. Tomato paste deepens the broth instantly, fire-roasted tomatoes add brightness, and dried herbs bring an earthy backbone to each bite.

Ingredients Needed for the Recipe

• 1 pound lean ground beef or turkey (93/7 ground beef recommended)
• ½ white or yellow onion, diced
• 32 ounces beef broth or stock
• 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced small
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
• 1 cup fresh or frozen green beans, sliced into thirds
• 14.5 ounces canned diced tomatoes (fire-roasted if possible)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Each of these ingredients plays its own part, from the grounding protein of beef to the bright crunch of green beans. Simple, wholesome, and budget-friendly – that’s the magic mix here.

Can You Use Ground Turkey Instead of Beef?

Absolutely – this soup is flexible. Ground turkey brings a lighter, slightly leaner profile without sacrificing heartiness. Some people even swap in ground chicken, but since it’s very low in fat, adding olive oil helps keep it flavorful.

If you’re cooking for kids or picky eaters, turkey might even go unnoticed. The broth and seasonings carry the flavor forward, so the swap won’t compromise taste at all.

How to make Healthy 30 Minute Hamburger Soup?

Step 1: Brown the Meat and Onion

Start with a large soup pot. Add your ground beef (or turkey) and the diced onion. Cook on medium-high, crumbling the meat as it cooks. If your meat is very lean, splash in a tablespoon of olive oil – this prevents sticking. Once the meat is browned, you’re good to go.

Step 2: Add Your Base Flavors

Toss in the garlic, tomato paste, fire-roasted tomatoes, and seasonings. Stir well so the paste can coat the meat. This step unlocks that “cooked all day” taste in minutes. The tomato paste caramelizes slightly, creating richness that belies the short cooking time.

Step 3: Pile in the Veggies

Now add carrots, potatoes, and green beans. Cut your potatoes small (no more than 1-inch dice), otherwise, they’ll take forever to soften. Tiny pieces also ensure you get a bit of everything in each spoonful.

Step 4: Pour the Broth

Add the beef broth or stock, give it a good stir, and bring everything up to a simmer. Cover and let it bubble on medium-high heat for about 20 minutes. The broth thickens slightly as the potatoes soften, turning into a perfectly spoonable stew-like soup.

Step 5: Taste and Adjust

After 20 minutes, lift the lid. The veggies should be tender but not mushy – that’s the sweet spot. Taste the broth and adjust with salt or pepper if needed. A sprinkle of fresh parsley works like a bow on top, tying everything together beautifully.

Best Time to Serve This Dish

This soup shines on busy weeknights. When you’ve had a long day and need dinner that feels homemade without demanding hours, this recipe steps up. It’s also perfect for chilly fall evenings or snowy winter nights, filling the house with savory aromas that make everyone wander into the kitchen.

That said, don’t save it just for cold weather. It’s balanced enough for year-round dining, especially when paired with a light salad in warmer months.

How to Store and Reheat

Leftovers are a blessing here – like a little gift for future you. Store the cooled soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and it’ll stay good for up to 5 days. The flavors deepen overnight, making day-two bowls even more irresistible.

This soup also freezes like a dream. Pour into freezer-safe bags or containers, lay them flat in the freezer, and you’ll have ready-to-go meals for busy weeks. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge, warm gently on the stove, or microwave in short bursts while stirring.

Tips

Cut potatoes small: This ensures they cook quickly and evenly, keeping your total time under 30 minutes.

Choose fresh veggies first: Fresh green beans hold their snap better than canned, making each bite more vibrant. If unavailable, frozen is your best backup plan.

Add finishing touches: A sprinkle of fresh herbs, a drizzle of olive oil, or even a small parmesan dusting can elevate the final flavor.

Experiment with swaps: Replace potatoes with cauliflower rice for a lighter version, or add small pasta for extra comfort. White beans also slip in nicely for added protein and bulk.

Double the batch: It freezes wonderfully, so make more now and thank yourself later. Nothing beats the joy of pulling out a home-cooked meal from the freezer when life gets hectic.

Serve it right: A side of crusty garlic bread turns this into an unforgettable meal. Dip, sip, and repeat until the bowl is empty.

In the end, Healthy 30 Minute Hamburger Soup proves that time doesn’t have to dictate flavor. With just a single pot, a handful of fresh ingredients, and a half hour, you’re rewarded with a dish that feels as if you’ve been cooking all day. It’s family-friendly, filling, and endlessly adaptable – a true classic to keep in your dinner rotation.

Next time you need something quick but soulful, this recipe will be waiting, quietly ready to remind you how good simple cooking can feel.

Print Recipe

Healthy 30 Minute Hamburger Soup Recipe

Author: katie Smith Cooking Method: Stovetop Cuisine: American Courses: Main Course, Soup

Difficulty: easy Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 20 mins Total Time 30 mins

Servings: 6 Estimated Cost: $ 8.50 Calories: 290

Best Season: Fall, Winter

Description

This Healthy 30 Minute Hamburger Soup is a hearty, comforting, and nutritious one-pot meal ready in just half an hour. Packed with lean ground beef or turkey, tender potatoes, fresh carrots, green beans, and diced tomatoes, all simmered in a rich beef broth and seasoned to perfection. It's a family-friendly, budget-conscious dinner that's as satisfying as it is simple - perfect for busy weeknights or chilly evenings.

Ingredients

Servings

• 1 lb lean ground beef or turkey (93% lean recommended)
• 0.5 white or yellow onion (diced)
• 32 oz beef stock or broth (low sodium preferred)
• 2 medium potatoes (peeled and diced (Yukon gold preferred))
• 2 medium carrots (peeled and diced)
• 1 cup fresh or frozen green beans (sliced into thirds)
• 14.5 oz canned diced tomatoes (fire-roasted preferred)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp garlic (minced)
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 0.5 tsp black pepper (or to taste)

Instructions

1. Brown the Meat

   In a large soup pot over medium-high heat, add the ground beef or turkey and diced onion. Use a spatula to break up the meat. (If using very lean meat, add 1 tbsp olive oil to prevent sticking.) Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meat is browned and no longer pink.
   Drain excess fat if needed.
   Mark as complete

2. Add Remaining Ingredients

   Stir in the diced potatoes, carrots, green beans, diced tomatoes (with juices), tomato paste, garlic, thyme, oregano, salt, onion powder, and black pepper. Pour in the beef stock and stir to combine.
   Ensure potatoes are cut small (about 1-inch) for quick cooking.
   Mark as complete

3. Simmer

   Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat to medium. Cover and simmer for 20–25 minutes, or until potatoes and carrots are tender.
   Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
   Mark as complete

4. Season and Serve

   Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
   For extra richness, stir in a splash of Worcestershire sauce before serving.
   Mark as complete

Nutrition Facts

Servings 6

Serving Size 1.5 cups

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Amount Per Serving

Calories 290kcal

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 12g19%

Saturated Fat 4g20%

Trans Fat 0.5g

Cholesterol 55mg19%

Sodium 850mg36%

Potassium 1100mg32%

Total Carbohydrate 28g10%

Dietary Fiber 5g20%

Sugars 6g

Protein 18g36%

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Calcium 60 mg

Iron 3.5 mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

• Ground Turkey Option: Use ground turkey for a lighter version. Add 1 tbsp olive oil to prevent dryness.
• Potato Swap: Replace potatoes with cauliflower rice for a low-carb option. Add in the last 5 minutes of cooking.
• Vegetable Variations: Fresh veggies are best, but frozen mixed vegetables work in a pinch. Avoid canned veggies for better texture.
• Slow Cooker Version: Brown meat and onion first, then transfer all ingredients to a slow cooker. Cook on HIGH for 4–5 hours or LOW for 6–8 hours.
• Storage: Cool and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
• Serving Suggestion: Top with shredded cheddar, a dollop of sour cream, or serve with crusty garlic bread.

Keywords: hamburger soup, 30 minute soup, easy soup recipe, healthy soup, ground beef soup, one pot meal, weeknight dinner, comfort food, meal prep soup