Slow Cooker Cheesy Burger Flavored Soup

Cheesy Burger Flavored Soup: A Comfort‑Food Classic in a Bowl

There’s something irresistibly comforting about chewing into a juicy cheeseburger—but what if you could capture that flavour in a warm, creamy bowl of soup? This “Cheesy Burger Flavored Soup” takes all the familiar burger elements—ground beef, bacon, mustard, pickles, cheddar—and transforms them into a satisfying, rich soup that’s perfect for dinner, game‑night, or when you just want something indulgent yet homey. 🧀🍔

Introduction

Imagine a soup that smells like you’re grilling burgers, tastes like you’re biting into cheesy beef and bacon, and is served by the ladle instead of on a bun. That’s the idea behind this recipe. By layering lean ground beef, hash browns, beef broth, shredded cheddar, heavy cream and bacon, you recreate the layers of flavour found in a cheeseburger—and all in one pot. As Chef Gordon Ramsay might say: “Perfectly seasoned beef, melted cheese, and texture—think about the bite.” And Chef Ina Garten would remind us: “Use good quality ingredients, take care with seasoning, and your crowd will feel cared for.” With that in mind, let’s dive in.

Ingredients & Measurements

Here are all the ingredients you’ll need, with quantities clearly listed:

How To Make It

1. Brown the meat and hash browns: In a large skillet, brown the 1½ pounds ground beef and the 8 oz frozen hash browns. Drain off any excess grease.
2. Sauté the aromatics: Add the 2 tsp minced garlic to the skillet with the meat/hash browns and sauté until fragrant (about 1 minute).
3. Combine ingredients in slow cooker: Transfer the meat/hash brown mixture to the slow cooker. Add the ½ diced white onion, the can of diced tomatoes (with juice), 2 tsp mustard, 2 Tbsp pickle relish, 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 3 cups beef broth, salt & pepper to taste.
4. Cook: Cover and cook on HIGH for ~3 hours or LOW for ~6 hours.
5. Finish the soup: Uncover the slow cooker, stir in the 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese and 1 cup heavy cream. Cover again and cook for an additional hour to allow the cheese to melt and the soup to thicken.
6. Serve: Just before serving, stir in the 8 oz crumbled bacon. Ladle into bowls and serve hot—consider topping with extra cheese, chopped pickles or green onions for that “burger” finishing touch.

Why This Recipe Works & Chef Insights

From Chef Bobby Flay’s perspective: This recipe nails the concept of “burger in a bowl” by layering classic burger flavours: hearty beef, melted cheddar, bacon texture, pickles’ tang, mustard zest. The hash browns act as a potato‑based binder reminiscent of the bun or side potato element. The slow cooking time melds flavours beautifully.

Key features:

• Flavour authenticity: The combo of Worcestershire sauce, mustard, pickle relish echoes the burger condiments.
• Texture contrast: Soft hash browns + beef + melted cheese + crisp bacon = a satisfying bite.
• Creaminess: The heavy cream gives a rich broth reminiscent of the juiciness of a burger patty.
• Comfort appeal: It’s indulgent, warm, filling—perfect for a crowd or a cozy night in.
• One‑pot convenience: Slow cooker friendly, minimal active time, big payoff.

Chef Ina would add: “Don’t rush the finishing step—giving the cheese and cream time to meld at the end makes the texture smooth and luxurious. Also, let guests garnish themselves with extra bacon or pickles for personalization.”

Nutrition & Health Benefits Table

Here’s an approximate nutrition breakdown per serving—assuming this recipe yields ~6 generous servings. Actual values will depend on ingredient brands, portion size, and exact preparation.

Health highlights & considerations:

• ✅ **High‑quality protein:** Beef and cheese deliver robust protein to support muscle repair and satiety.
• ✅ **Comfort and fullness:** The richness and flavour make this meal satisfying, reducing chances of snacking later.
• ⚠️ **Higher in fat & saturated fat:** The heavy cream, cheese and bacon raise saturated fat content — best eaten in moderation.
• ⚠️ **Sodium caution:** With beef broth, bacon and relish, sodium may be elevated — consider using low‑sodium broth or reducing added salt if needed.
• ✅ **Versatility:** You can lighten the recipe by using reduced‑fat dairy, leaner beef, or more vegetables and less hash browns.

Health Tips & Safety Considerations

Here are expert tips to ensure this soup turns out delicious and is handled safely:

• 🔪 **Use lean ground beef:** Choose 90% lean or better to reduce excess fat; drain off grease after browning.
• 🌡️ **Slow cooker cooking:** Make sure your slow cooker reaches safe internal temperature to avoid food‑safety issues. Beef should reach at least 160 °F (71 °C).
• 🧂 **Salt mindfully:** Since many ingredients (bacon, cheese, broth, relish) already contain salt, taste before adding extra.
• 🧊 **Vegetable balance:** Consider adding diced bell pepper or celery when sautéing aromatics to boost fibre and nutrients.
• 🕒 **Hold time after cooking:** After finishing (with cheese & cream) and stirring in the bacon, keep the soup covered and served promptly; store leftovers within 2 hours in the refrigerator.
• 🍴 **Portion aware eating:** Given the richness, pair a serving with a crisp green salad or steamed veggies to balance the meal.

Variations & Serving Ideas

Here are some exciting variations and serving suggestions to adapt this recipe to your taste:

• Vegetable boost: Add 1‑2 cups of mixed veggies (like peas, corn or diced bell pepper) in step 3 to increase veggie content.
• Cheese variety: Use a smoked cheddar or pepper jack instead of plain cheddar for a flavour twist.
• Lighter version: Use half‑and‑half instead of heavy cream, replace hash browns with diced cauliflower for lower carbs, or reduce bacon amount.
• Spicy kick: Add ½ tsp smoked paprika or ¼ tsp cayenne pepper when sautéing the garlic to give an extra edge.
• Garnish ideas: Top with chopped fresh pickles, green onions, extra crumbled bacon, or even jalapeño slices for heat.
• Serving style: Serve with warm crusty bread, burger‑style buns on the side, or a side salad for a complete meal.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I substitute ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?
   Yes—ground turkey or chicken would work in place of beef, though you may need to adjust seasoning (since turkey/chicken are milder) and ensure they are fully cooked through.
2. Can I skip the hash browns (potato) or use another base?
   Yes—you can omit the hash browns and replace with diced potato, cauliflower florets, or even extra vegetables for a lower‑carb take. Texture will vary, but flavour will remain.
3. What if I want to make this on the stove instead of a slow cooker?
   You can brown meat and hash browns in a pot, add other ingredients, bring to a simmer, then add cheese & cream at the end and cook until thick—this will take less time (~30–40 minutes) than the slow cooker method.
4. How do I store leftovers, and how long will they keep?
   Allow the soup to cool, transfer to airtight containers, refrigerate within 2 hours. It will keep up to 3–4 days in the fridge. Reheat thoroughly (to at least 165 °F / 74 °C) on the stove or microwave. Note: Thickened soups can change texture when reheated—thin with a little broth if needed.
5. Can I freeze this soup?
   Because it contains dairy (heavy cream and cheese), freezing may change the texture slightly (may separate or grain). You can freeze—but for best texture, reheat gently and whisk to reincorporate. Alternatively freeze before adding cream & cheese, then finish fresh when reheating.
6. How many servings does this recipe make?
   With the listed quantities, you can expect about 6 generous servings (or up to 8 moderate portions) depending on portion size and whether you serve sides.
7. Is this suitable for a gluten‑free diet?
   As written, yes—the ingredients listed are naturally gluten‑free (ground beef, hash browns, broth, cheese, etc.). Just ensure your beef broth and any processed items (like pickle relish) are certified gluten‑free. If you substitute bread or croutons as a side, choose gluten‑free options.
8. How can I lighten this recipe for a lower‑calorie version?
   Use 2% milk instead of heavy cream (or half heavy cream + half milk), reduce cheese by ¼ cup, use leaner beef (e.g., 93% lean), reduce bacon garnish, and add extra vegetables to increase volume and fibre without many extra calories.
9. Can I make this in an Instant Pot?
   Yes—you can brown the beef and hash browns on the sauté setting, add the remaining ingredients, set to “Soup” or “Manual” on high pressure for about 10 minutes, then release pressure, stir in cheese & cream and serve. Always check manufacturer guidelines for dairy additions and texture.
10. What suggestions for toppings or sides?
    Toppings: extra shredded cheddar, pickled dill bits, chopped green onion, crumbled bacon, or a dollop of sour cream. Sides: warm garlic bread, toasted burger buns, fresh green salad or steamed vegetables to balance richness.

Internal Links & Further Reading

For more hearty one‑pot comfort soups, check out our article on cream & roux sauce recipes. If you’re looking to lighten up rich dinners while keeping flavour, visit our guide on lightened comfort‑food ideas. For more show‑stopping weeknight mains, explore our collection of seafood dinner recipes.

Conclusion

This Cheesy Burger Flavored Soup brings goodness, nostalgia and warmth into one bowl. It captures the essence of a cheeseburger—beef, cheese, bacon, pickles—while offering the comfort of a creamy soup. Whether you’re feeding a family, hosting friends, or simply craving something satisfying and homey, this dish hits all the right notes.

To recap: brown your beef and hash browns, sauté your aromatics, combine with broth, tomatoes, relish, mustard and seasoning in your slow cooker (or pot), finish with cheese and cream, stir in bacon, and serve hot. Portion carefully, pair with a lighter side, and enjoy the ultimate comfort‑food bowl. Chef Gordon Ramsay would approve of the depth of flavour; Chef Ina Garten would enjoy the ease and share‑ability. Now, go ahead—make it, share it, and enjoy every hearty spoonful. 🍽️🥓