Biting into a warm, savory cheeseburger fresh off the grill is an iconic part of summer. But if you’ve said goodbye to gluten (or grains), cheeseburgers may no longer be on the menu. The kids and I love this Real Food Bacon Cheeseburger Soup. It’s a soup version packed with all the flavors you love about a cheeseburger!
This comfort food has quickly become a family favorite. It’s easy to make, cheesy, delicious, and the whole family will eat it (even my picky kids!). And because it’s a one-pot meal, it’s easy to clean up. All the seasonings are in the soup, so no more jars of seasonings lying around on the counter!
Cheeseburger Soup
If you’ve never heard of Cheeseburger Soup, it’s exactly what it sounds like… with pickles! When I first heard about this combination, I wasn’t too keen on it. But I was wrong! Ketchup and pickles go together amazingly well, and kids love “cheeseburgers” in a bowl.
It’s loaded with beef and cheese (of course), but it’s also loaded with healthy vegetables and a nutritious broth. Most recipes call for a roux with all-purpose flour, but I have a better, grain-free way to make a creamy soup.
Most beef soup recipes use vegetable or beef broth, but this one uses chicken broth. This combination gives it a unique flavor that is more like a cheeseburger than a beef vegetable soup. Trust me!
How to Top Your Soup
I like to keep this one pot meal simple, but you can customize it with different toppings. You can put a variety of topping bowls on the counter for everyone to choose from at dinner. It's like a taco bar, but with cheeseburger soup!
Here are some decorating ideas:
- Chopped dill pickles (we like to make our own)
- Crispy Bacon Slices
- Chopped green onions
- Homemade Sourdough Croutons
- Strong-flavored cheddar cheese (much tastier than American or Velveeta cheese!)
- Fried Onion Topping
- Chopped tomatoes
- Add a little cream cheese and stir.
Cheeseburger Soup Substitute
If you don't have sour cream or yogurt, a little heavy cream will do the trick, but sour cream and yogurt tend to be more tart.
And if you want, you can substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef. It won't taste like a cheeseburger, but it will still be healthy and delicious. This recipe uses regular grass-fed beef, which is full of healthy fats!
And I use classic Russet potatoes in this soup. They have more starch and a nice texture, but you can use whatever potato you like.
How to thicken my secret soup
Well, it may not be that secret, but I like to thicken it with mashed potatoes. Instead of using all-purpose flour, I mash the cooked potatoes with the broth. If you want a really smooth version, you can put the cooked potatoes and the broth in a blender. Then just add it back into the soup.
Cheeseburger Soup Recipe
Satisfy your cravings with this hearty cheeseburger soup! Loaded with ground beef, vegetables, and creamy cheddar cheese, this soup is comforting in a bowl.
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In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef with the onion powder, garlic salt, and pepper. Drain off any excess fat. Remove the cooked ground beef from the pan and set aside.
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Add the olive oil, onion, carrot, and celery to the pot. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender.
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Add Italian herbs and ketchup and stir until well combined.
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Place the diced potatoes in a pot and pour in the chicken stock. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the pot and simmer until the potatoes are tender.
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Once the potatoes are tender, return the beef to the pan and mix well.
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Stir in the milk and sour cream (or Greek yogurt). Continue to heat the soup over low heat, but do not boil, until warm.
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Add more salt and pepper to the soup to taste.
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Top with your favorite toppings and enjoy warm.
Nutrition Facts
Cheeseburger Soup Recipe
Serving Size (Serving Size)
calorie 983
621 calories from fat
% Daily Value*
province 69g106%
25g saturated fat156%
2g trans fat
4g polyunsaturated fat
31g monounsaturated fat
cholesterol 166mg55%
salt 916mg40%
potassium 1666mg48%
carbohydrate 47g16%
6g of fiber25%
10g sugar11%
protein 46g92%
Vitamin A 4131IU83%
Vitamin C 40mg48%
calcium 482mg48%
steel 5mg28%
* Percent Daily Intake is based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and reheat in a pot before eating.
What toppings would you add to your Cheeseburger Soup? Let us know by leaving a comment!
