Crock Pot Hamburger Soup

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is leaner, while ground pork is often less expensive.

beef broth

🥗Healthier: vegetable broth

💰Cheaper: water + bouillon

Vegetable broth reduces sodium and calories, while bouillon is cost-effective.

diced tomatoes

🥗Healthier: fresh tomatoes

💰Cheaper: canned tomatoes

Fresh tomatoes can be healthier, while canned options are often cheaper.

green beans

🥗Healthier: zucchini

💰Cheaper: frozen green beans

Zucchini is lower in calories, while frozen beans are budget-friendly.

In a slow cooker, brown 1 pound of ground beef until cooked through.

Add diced onion and diced celery to the slow cooker and cook until the onion is translucent and the celery is softened.

Drain excess fat if desired, but the creator chooses not to.

Add 6 ounces of tomato juice (or vegetable juice like V8) to the slow cooker.

Add 1 28-ounce can of diced tomatoes with juices to the slow cooker.

Add 1 can of rinsed and drained kidney beans to the mixture.

Add 3 peeled and diced potatoes to the slow cooker.

Add 4 beef bouillon cubes to the mixture.

Add 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder and 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt to the mixture.

Season with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting based on preference.

Stir everything together to combine.

Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high for 4 to 6 hours, until the potatoes and celery are soft.

After cooking, check the texture of the potatoes to ensure they are tender.

Serve hot, optionally adding hot sauce or red pepper flakes for heat.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: