Instant Pot Hamburger Soup is a delicious, classic soup recipe. Made with ground beef, hearty veggies, and a tasty broth, this pressure cooker hamburger soup has a pretty fast cook time, so you can have it on your table in about an hour.
Originally published 4/17/18
Instant Pot Hamburger Soup
I hope you are surviving the snow and freezing temperatures, my friends. Here in the Pacific Northwest it is the rainy season. Haha, isn’t it always?
Today’s recipe for a classic hamburger soup made in the Instant Pot uses basic, tasty, ingredients.
This pressure cooker Hamburger Soup is similar to a Vegetable Beef Soup, only it calls for hamburger instead of stew meat. It cooks faster because the ground beef takes less time.
Instant Pot Hamburger Soup is pretty easy to throw together, and here I’ve shown you the steps (for all you visual learners, like me) to make it:
I love all of those hearty vegetables with the chunks of hamburger! The tasty broth is rich and comforting. Mmmmmmmm.
No wonder this is a classic recipe that families love! My kids have always liked this hamburger soup recipe.
And here you have it! This pressure cooker hamburger soup is the perfect thickness, from the tomato paste, and the potatoes.
The flavors are classic and simple, and so delicious! I hope you are staying warm, and whipping up a batch of Instant Pot Hamburger Soup!
Instant Pot Taco Soup
Instant Pot Simple Potato Soup
Instant Pot Chicken Corn Chowder
Instant Pot Stuffed Pepper Soup
Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
Soups are one of the best things to make in your Instant Pot.
Pressure cooker soups retain more nutrition because the nutrients stay in the food from the pressure cooking.
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If you make this delicious pressure cooker hamburger soup recipe, please leave a comment with a star rating below. I’d love to know how you liked it!
Instant Pot Hamburger Soup is a comforting classic ground beef stew made with simple, tasty ingredients. This pressure cooker hamburger soup is a family favorite!
- 1 lb Lean Ground Beef (I like using 90% lean for this recipe)
- 1 Onion, diced
- 3 lrg Carrots, chopped large (or a small bag of baby carrots)
- 4 med Potatoes, chopped large
- 3 cups Beef Broth
- 1 packet Onion Soup Mix
- 1 Bay Leaf
- 1 1/2 tsp Italian Seasoning
- 2 tsp Garlic Powder (or 3 cloves garlic, minced)
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Pepper
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
- (1) 14 oz can Diced Tomatoes (with juice)
- (1) 6 oz can Tomato Paste
- 3 cups Frozen Mixed Vegetables (with corn, green beans, etc.)
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Turn the pot on to the Sauté setting. Add the ground beef and the onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is cooked. Don't break up the meat completely, as some bigger chunks are nice in the soup.
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Add the chopped carrots and potatoes, beef broth, onion soup mix, bay leaf, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir.
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Dump the can of diced tomatoes and tomato paste on top and do not stir.
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Close the lid and set the steam release knob to the Sealing position.
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Cancel the Sauté setting. Press the Pressure Cook/Manual button or dial and then the + or - button or dial to select 7 minutes. Make sure it is set to High pressure. It will take several minutes to come to pressure.
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When the cooking cycle is finished, let the pot sit undisturbed for 15 minutes (15 minute natural release). Then carefully, in short bursts at first, release the remaining steam manually, by turning the steam release knob to the Venting position.
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Stir the soup well to incorporate the tomato paste.
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Then stir in the frozen vegetables and let sit for a few minutes before serving. The veggies will cook in the heat of the hot soup.
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Serve hot with some nice crusty bread!
Resources to Make This hamburger soup Recipe and More
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Jennie
Hearty and perfect for our rainy day dinner! I love that it used freezer & pantry staples, was super easy to make in the IP, and tasted so good.😀 Nice that it’s very tweakable with what’s in the house. My son’s pleased to get more in his thermos jar for school lunch.
Thanks Sandy!
Diane
Delicious! Thank you for such a great recipe. This is one I will be making regularly.
Cat
Can you add the frozen veggies from the start instead of adding them after cooking is complete?
Sandy
Yes, they will just be softer.
Millie
I stumbled upon Sandy and her blog searching instant pot meals, and she is my go to. I live in South Alabama where flavor is a must, and everything I have cooked from Sandy is just right. Jack Frost visited us down south the last couple nights hitting the 30s, so we made this veggie soup tonight and it was wonderful! Southern approved and will be back for more recipes from you.
Charla Stewart
I Made this tonight and it was amazing! I did however substitute the frozen veggies for canned vegetables! My kids aren’t keen on the frozen peas. It was so good with cornbread! Definitely making this again soon!
Sandra
Hi!
May I use canned crushed tomatoes in place of the diced?
Sandy
Yes!
Alison
The frozen veggies didn’t seem to soften as much as I wanted them to so I had to pressure cook for another two minutes after I added them and let it natural release. Otherwise the recipe is spot on. Delicious!
Ashley
I followed recipe exactly and wasn’t disappointed! Delish! I’m an Instant Pot newbie so I’m still a bit intimidated by it but this recipe was super simple and full of flavor. Thank you!!
Bill Klug
A very cool variation. Double the meat. Add celery and zucchini to the initial dump of vegetables that get cooked. I used frozen green beans, corn and peas at the end. Also, add grated Parmesan cheese wHen serving. Just so yummy! Enjoy in Joy!
David
Made a couple of substitutions:
Ground venison for the beef
Butternut squash for the potatoes
Omitted the onion soup mix (didn’t have any on hand)
Was heavy handed with the black pepper
Result was outstanding!!
Joy Birnbaum
Hamburger Soup was awesome, and easy! I didn’t have beef broth so I used chicken, and it was still delicious!
I love your recipes! I made your Easy Tomato Soup, it was also amazing!
Thank you so much!
Joy
Raven
I am using ground deer for this recipe. It has no fat at all. Should I add a little olive oil to saute?
Sandy
Yes, I would.
Penny
Will it turn out bad if I accidentally stirred the tomato paste?
Sandy
There is just a higher chance of it scorching on the bottom of the pot.
jim
I made this once and every spoonful I would say damn this is good.making another batch today.
Diane
Can I make this in the slow cooker?
Sandy
Yes.
Edith
want to make this hamburger soup but want to know if I can omit the onion soup mix…..can I add shredded
cabbage to the vegetables and omit the frozen veggies. Thank you for your reply.
Sandy
If you omit the onion soup mix, add in something with flavor to season the soup. Yes, shredded cabbage is a great add-in. Yes you can omit frozen veggies. Maybe substitute with some other type of veggie you like.
Becky Hay de Garcia
What a great recipe! I will admit that I left out the potatoes, but added in 4 stalks of celery (I love celery in all my soups). I think I will try adding pasta shells next time, as one of your reviewers did. That sounds like it would be good, too. The best part was the shorter cooking time so I was not being bugged all day by my 3 men who wanted to eat it as soon as the aroma filled the kitchen.
Tracy Sanderson
This is my favorite soup to make, hands down. It is so hearty and filling and flavorful.
I make it a few times a month through the colder weather months!
Purplelicious Bella
I just LOVE this recipe! I am making it for dinner tonight. I also like to have this with rice. Thank you for this great recipe!
Sandy
That’s great! Thank you!
John
Just made it. I had to use up some ground beef. Great flavour. I didn’t have diced tomatoes, so used a large can of tomato sauce. Still delicious. Can’t wait to try some other recipes.
Sandy
Thanks John!
Betsy
Hi, I am a new IP user and I am looking so forward to making this tonight. The only problem is my son does not like tomatoes. Do you suggest tomato sauce,juice or soup in place if the diced tomatoes?
Thank you!
Sandy
HI Betsy, you can add some tomato soup, but add it last and don’t stir it until after pressure cooking.
Patricia
Hi Sandy….I just bought an IP DUO60 V3 & was searching for easy recipes & I came across this one.
In your instructions, after you do the natural release, what do you mean by “in short bursts at first” release the remaining steam manually. How is “in short bursts” done? I wish I had confidence in using my IP…..
Please reply. Thank you.
Sandy
You will open the steam release knob by turning it to the Venting position. Watch it carefully, and if any of the soup starts to spew out of the vent with the steam, turn the knob back to the Sealing position. Then try again, opening for a short burst and closing it again until you are sure none of the soup will be coming out with the steam.
Vivian
I’d like to make this but don’t have the onion soup mix. Any suggestions for a substitution? Thanks!
Sandy
4 Tbsp Minced Onion Flakes
2 Tbsp Beef Bouillon Powder, low sodium
½ tsp Onion Powder
¼ tsp Parsley Flakes
1/8 tsp Ground Celery Seeds
1/8 tsp Black Pepper
1/8 tsp Sweet Paprika
1/8 tsp Salt
Vivian
I didn’t see your reply before I made this without the onion soup mix. It came out great anyway and is really delicious! I’m going to get the ingredients to make the soup mix because I plan to make this soup a lot! Thanks!
Vivian
P.s. I’m also live in the PNW…in the beautiful Oregon Willamette Valley!
Sandy
Oh I do love Oregon! I lived in Portland for a couple of years.
carol hersman
Great soup receipe. Made it with beefy onion soup mix, and used 4 cups water instead of 3. Used my own beef broth made with organic beef gel. Only added 1 1/2 c frozen mixed veg . Added macaroni at end and let set to cook in hot soup. Excellent receipe. A keeper
Sandy
Thank you, Carol. I’m glad you liked this soup! Thank you for your review.
Frieda
So good. lots of flavor.
Melody Slachter
Thank you for this delicious recipe! I followed it exactly as you posted and my entire family loved it!! I’m pretty new to Instant Pot cooking and am loving that I can make such tasty, nutritious meals so quickly. Thank you!
Denise
This was very good. Every person at the table really liked it, and we’re all looking forward to the leftovers! I didn’t have any mixed vegetables, so I cut up a couple cups of
cabbage and cooked it with the stew, then added a cup of frozen grean beans at the end. I also added extra beef bouillon so liquid would be covering the vegetables, and an extra bouillon cube for the heck of it. It tasted really delicious. My mother-in-law especially liked it. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Sandy
Hi Denise, I’m so glad you all liked it! Thank you for leaving a review!
Angela
I just made this!! So delicious!!!
Sandy
Awesome! Thank you!
Nicole
Hello, is it necessary to do the Natural Release after 15 minutes or would it be okay to leave it to do the Natural Release on its own (I need to start it & leave & would like it ready to eat when I return).
Thank you!
Sandy
If you turn off the warming feature it should be fine. You will still need to add the frozen veggies when you open it.
Tracy Gary
Hi was going to make this tonight and was curious how the frozen vegetables cook after adding them at the end?
Sandy
The veggies will cook in the heat of the hot soup. Just stir them in and let it sit for a few minutes while you get the table set!
Heather B
Hi – Just curious why you say not to stir the tomatoes or paste? Thanks
Sandy
Right. By not stirring them in, you get the benefit of them cooking without thickening up the soup and potentially causing a burn error. Tomatoes seem to cause the burn error more, as does thickened soups, etc. Just stir it in after it pressure cooks!
Christine
Ahhhh! That makes sense! I once got a burn error doing a bbq sauce thing…. that helps me understand for the rest of what I cook! Thanks for both the question and the answer!
Marissa
If I want to double the recipe would the cooking time change?
Sandy
No, the time will stay the same.
Marissa
Thanks! I doubled this and it turned out great, though because I didn’t have enough space I didn’t double the potatoes and could only fit enough beef broth in to fill the pot, and I also ended up skipping the frozen vegetables. Best of all my 19 month old twins ate it, toddler approved! I think next time I will do half ground turkey and half ground beef. Great recilpe!
Sandy
That’s great, Marissa! It’s a versatile recipe so making it the way you like is easy! Thanks for letting me know how it turned out!
Barbara
Hi mine is in the pot right now. My first instapot attempt. I usually put barley in mine. For next time can I add barley with everything at the start?
Sandy
Yes! Barley is so good!
Jill
Can this recipe be adapted for a 6 qt crockpot??
Sandy
Yes! Just brown the meat and such in a skillet, then add everything to the crock and coon on Low for 6-7 hours, or High for 43-4 hours. It will be done when the veggies, especially the carrots, are tender.
Kristie Hager
Best and easiest soup ever.
I make it monthly, summer, spring, winter and fall, it’s no fail and the family loves it.
Sandy
Thank you, Kristie! I’m so happy that this soup has become a part of your rotation!
Megan
I made this tonight, exactly as it was posted, and it was so good! Really easy too. Thanks for the great recipe.
Sharee
This is great recipe minus the potatoes. I don’t understand why people use that in this recipe. I save potatoes for beef stew . I have tried potatoes in this and my husband and I cannot stand the taste. It seemed to override everything else so you just taste potatoes.
Sandy
Hmmm, I don’t think the potatoes have that much flavor on their own. They soak up the other flavors. I’m glad you liked it otherwise.
Rose
Thanks for this recipe… I took yours as a “base” as I didn’t have exactly the same ingredients and did it similar to what I’d make from scratch on the stove. I used some bouillon soup mix and a cube to replace the beef broth with 3 cups of water; and did not add the onion soup mix. It tasted almost exactly as my stove-top version as if I’d been slaving over the stove for hours. Soooo glad I bought one!
Sandy
Sounds great, Rose! Thank you for letting me know!
Teressa
I just got an instapot recently and as a fellow PNW am looking forward to all the comfort food in it. Made chicken soup yesterday actually. Could this be done with frozen ground beef? I am not always the best a preplanning meals so love when I can cook from frozen proteins.
Sandy
Hi Neighbor! If your beef is a frozen chunk, it would be good to pre cook it first, to get rid of the excess grease. What you do is put a cup of water in the pot, then the trivet/rack, and set the frozen block of ground beef on the trivet. Cook at high pressure for 20 minutes, with a 10 minute natural release. Then open the pot and drain the grease, and go from there!
John
Thank you what a brilliant idea. Making this right now actually and read the reviews too late.
Faye
Seewhatvsize instant pot did you use for recipe? Sounds wonderful!! Thanks!!
Sandy
You can use a 6 qt or 8 qt.
Alexis
I used ground turkey breast and chicken broth and it was delicious!
Sandy
Hi Alexis! We like to use ground turkey, too! I’m glad you liked it!
Juliana
I love this recipe. It is so delicious and easy to make. So filling and hearty too.
I am in South Louisiana in the heat and am still making this at the end of June lol
LOVE It! Thanks!!
Sandy
That’s great, Juliana! I’m so glad you like this soup! Thank goodness for the IP so you don’t have to turn the stove on! Stay cool! Thank you for the review!
Chip Halverson
Do you drain the hamburger after sauté?
Sandy
Only if there is a lot of grease. I tend to use lean ground beef, 90%-93%, so I rarely have much. If it looks like you do, spoon out most of the excess, but remember that the onions have water in them and if you cooked them with the beef, a lot of that is water.
Jeff
Hi if I have 2lb of hamburger meat do I double everything
Sandy
I would just add more of the veggies you like most, and a little more of the seasonings. Don’t double the liquid, though you can add a little more if you like. Cook time stays the same.