MAIN COURSE 'BURGER SOUP: good value, lower-fat/cholesterol, slow cooker, easily digested

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Pleasing, satisfying North American Classic, cousin of the Beef Stew...

updated nov 2025

A hearty bowlful of beefy deliciousness 

This is one for the family favourites' list; even at the regular price of £4.25 for     500gm 20% fat beef mince at Waitrose & M&S.   

Don't be afraid of  20% fat beef; 67 uses it all the time and the fat that is released is usually good quality.  The flavour of the beef is usually excellent and in 67's mind, it's - if no longer a bargain - is reasonable value.

67's method of cooking the mince removes as much fat as possible (making it more suitable for cholesterol-phobes) and boosts meaty flavours.

Like many American supper dishes, 'Burger' Soup is hearty, easy to make, and reheats well.  There is an element of 'kidult' food here - it's a soupy version of the hamburger - but everyone who's eaten it (including the Blogger) loves it. 

As for the chief cook and bottle washer, the soup is a godsend one-pan wonder: you only need some warm bread/buns to go with,  a bit of salad and a thrown-together dessert for a great, satisfying meal.  

To continue the American theme, 67 defrosted some recently baked banana cupcakes and topped them with peanut butter frosting. But quick, easy and more-ish brownies would also work.  

If beef is not in your food plan, turkey or chicken mince is an even lower-fat/cholesterol alternative. 

Use fresh carrot & potato if you can, or a mix of potato, sweet potato, parsnips and swede.  The other vegetables can be changed or frozen without affecting its deliciousness; if you can find a bag of frozen diced veg, go for it and adjust quantities accordingly.

The slow-cooker method is recommended for best flavour but a stove-top version is included.  

The soup freezes well

Cost:  £6.00'ish (10/25), depending on your vegetable cupboard)

Feeds:  6'ish

Ingreds: 

500gm/17.5oz ground beef

olive oil 

 

1 onion or half a fennel, (tough outer leaves removed, inner leaves soaked in a mixture of 9:1 water & white vinegar 20 mins; in small dice

2 sticks celery, in chunks (bite-size for slow cookers; smaller for quick version)

2 carrots, in chunks (bite-size for slow cookers; smaller for quick version)

bell pepper, topped, tailed, de-seeded and de-membraned, in bite-size chunks

2 cloves garlic, grated (opt)

2-3 med potatoes, in bite-size chunks, or a combo of potatoes, parsnips, swede or other root veg (2'ish cups)

1 can tomatoes 

1.5c beef broth (granules or cubes will be fine)

1.5 tsp tomato paste

2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

1/4 tsp salt 

1/4tsp pepper

1/2 tsp oregano

1/8tsp cayenne    

          

       

After soup base is cooked:       

       1 can (any old) tomato soup  (65p at M&S)

       1 cup frozen peas or frozen diced mixed veg (if you can find them)

       Garnish: 1tbsp fresh or 1 tsp dried parsley flakes 

Method: