Best Instant Pot Hamburger Soup (Whole30 Paleo) 
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure here.
Instant Pot Hamburger Soup (Whole30 Paleo) including Stovetop and Slow Cooker Instructions – aka Poor Man’s Soup! Hearty, healthy, and totally budget friendly. An easy dinner recipe the whole family will love!
Instant Pot Hamburger Soup Recipe
I know how challenging it can be to find recipes that fit a clean eating lifestyle and are still family friendly. Sometimes it’s so tempting to whip up that box of mac and cheese and call it good! One solution that is naturally nutritious and seems to always please the whole family is homemade soup.
This hearty hamburger soup (aka Poor Man’s Soup because it is so easy on the budget) is made in the Instant Pot or slow cooker and requires minimal effort! It is such a simple meal and yet my family absolutely loves it. The kids always go back for seconds! It’s a classic ground beef vegetable soup, perfect paired with a green salad or some homemade cornbread (I love Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Corn Bread Mix!)
This recipe is proof that Whole30 meals don’t have to break the budget. Only the most basic ingredients are required, all things that you likely already have on hand. Lean beef, a ton of veggies, and a rich broth make for a nutritious and hearty soup! Make this Hamburger Soup ahead on Meal Prep Sunday or during the week for a quick and easy dinner.
Ingredients
- Olive Oil – if using an extra lean ground beef, feel free to skip the oil
- Ground Beef
- Diced Onion, Carrots, and Celery
- Yellow Potatoes (red potatoes or peeled russet potatoes could also be used)
- Tomato Paste
- Canned Diced Tomatoes
- Frozen Green Beans (fresh green beans work too!)
- Beef Broth
- Spices: garlic, sea salt, and black pepper
Instant Pot step-by-step Instructions
- Turn on the saute function, add the olive oil, and when hot, begin browning the beef. After the beef is browned, drain off any excess grease and turn off the saute function.
- Add the remaining ingredients to the pot. Stir well.
- Seal the lid and cook for 10 minutes on Manual function (high pressure.)
- At this point, you can perform a quick release or allow for natural release. Either way works great.
Stovetop and Slow Cooker Instructions
To make in the Instant Pot or Slow Cooker, first brown the beef on the stove top. Combine the browned beef with remaining ingredients and cook according to instructions below.
To make on the stovetop, brown the beef, then sauté the veggies for 3-4 minutes before adding the remaining ingredients and browned ground beef back to the pot. Simmer on low for 30 minutes, covered until veggies are soft.
Instant Pot Hamburger Soup Variations & Substitutions
- Substitute diced tomatoes with green chilis for the diced tomatoes.
- Beef broth can be substituted with chicken broth, beef stock, or vegetable broth.
- Spice it up with some crushed red pepper or tabasco when serving.
- In place of the potatoes, use canned kidney beans, barley, quinoa, or other whole grain (for non-whole30).
- Use ground turkey or venison instead of beef.
- Use my Homemade Seasoned Salt or Italian Seasoning as a substitute for the salt/spices in this recipe.
- Add a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce or coconut aminos for a flavor booster.
- For additional seasoning, try a teaspoon or two of my homemade all-purpose seasoning or chili seasoning.
FAQs
Can I make Hamburger Soup without potatoes?
Sure, feel free to leave them out if desired. See the substitution tips above for other add-in ideas.
Can I use frozen vegetables instead in Hamburger Soup?
Yes, this is a great shortcut! Substitute 1-2 cups of your favorite mix of frozen veggies in place of the carrots and celery.
Can this soup be frozen?
To freeze, let the soup cool completely and then add to mason jars or freezer safe container, leaving 1-2 inches of space at the top. Freeze for up to 3-6 months.
Can I use stew meat instead of regular ground beef?
Yes, brown the pieces of stew meat in oil using the sauté function and follow the rest of the instructions as indicated.
How can I make Hamburger Soup in the slow cooker or on the stovetop?
One of the best things about this easy recipe is that it’s so versatile. Hamburger Soup can be made in the Instant Pot, Slow Cooker, or on the stove top. See the directions in the recipe card below for detailed instructions on how to make stove top or slow cooker hamburger soup.
Storage Instructions
Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave or in a saucepan on the stove.
Do you like to Meal Prep or pack the leftovers for lunch? These glass containers are my favorite for soup!
For More Instant Pot Soup Recipes, Check Out:
Instant Pot Creamy Chicken & Wild Rice Soup
Instant Pot Healing Chicken Soup
Instant Pot Mexican Chicken Tortilla Soup
Instant Pot Taco Stuffed Pepper Soup
Instant Pot Creamy Herbed Chicken Stew
Instant Pot Curried Cauliflower Soup
Did you make this recipe and love it too? Please leave your rating and review below!
Instant Pot Hamburger Soup
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons avocado oil
- 1 lb lean ground beef or ground venison
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 large carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 large celery stalks, sliced
- 1 cup diced yukon gold potatoes (about 3 small)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup frozen green beans
- 1 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes
- 3 cups low sodium beef broth
- 1/2 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Set your Instant Pot to Saute. Add oil and beef (or venison) and cook until browned. Add remaining ingredients and stir well to combine. Lock lid and set Instant Pot to Manual for 15 minutes. Quick or Natural Release both work great for this recipe.
For the Slow Cooker:
- In a large skillet, brown beef in oil over medium high heat. Add browned beef and remaining ingredients to a slow cooker. Stir well to combine. Cook on High for 3-4 hours or Low for 6-8 hours.
For the Stovetop:
- In a large deep pot, brown beef in oil over medium high heat. Add onions, carrots, celery, and potatoes. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring.
- Add remaining ingredients, stir well. Bring to a simmer, cover, and reduce heat. SImmer for 30 minutes.
Nutrition
This post may contain Amazon affiliate links
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Read my full disclosure here
Vegetarian
Keto Friendly
Dairy Free
125 Comments on “Best Instant Pot Hamburger Soup (Whole30 Paleo)”
How did we live before Instant Pots? Seriously, I am obsessed! This recipe looks absolutely amazing, and something the whole fam will love. Can’t wait to try!
I know, right?!? This one is so easy and the family goes crazy for it…love it when those two things come together 🙂
Making this right now! So easy can’t wait to eat!
This is absolutely delicious thank you for the recipe
I made this tonight for dinner and it was delicious! The only variation I made was add a pinch of red pepper instead of black pepper.
I will definitely make this again!
I’m new to the instant pot. This recipe says lock the lid and set to manual for 15 minutes? Not sure what that means. Would that be pressure cook for 15 minutes? and should it be high or low?
Yes, pressure cook on high for 15 minutes. Sorry about the confusion! My model (Lux) only has a Manual button, no option for high and low.
How Many servings is this ?
Hi Casey – it makes approximately 10 cups. Enjoy!
My family loves this recipe!!! I add cabbage & corn to mine. I love opening my fresh canned veggies and putting in the soup! Thanks for the recipe!
Hey Brittany, thanks so much! Glad to hear your family loves the recipe!
I have eaten many a bowl of Poor Man’s Soup in my day. ANd it still turns out to be one of my favorite meals. NO counter space or $ for an instant pot. slow cooker over it does it just fine…
For the instapot, how long do you cook it for?? Is it manual or natural release?
The Soup setting is a 30 minute cycle. I have done a shorter cycle with good results as well (20-25 minutes.) Use manual or natural release, whichever you prefer. I usually wait for natural release unless we are in a hurry to eat! Enjoy!
Can I add pea barley? And if so how much more liquid do I need to add?
Sure! I would try adding about 1 cup each of barley and liquid. This will probably result in a little bit thicker soup. Let me know how it turns out 🙂
Yum! Great basic recipe to have on hand. I added two small bags frozen mixed veggies in place of the fresh as its what I had on hand and added a few bay leaves as my grandmother taught me to always add them to soups . I also like to make this with leftover beef roast.
Thanks, Brit!! Excellent suggestions!
Just made this for dinner in the instant pot and wow. We were so surprised that it was so flavorful. My 10 year old daughter loved it and my husband kept saying it’s so good! Yum! I didn’t change the recipe at all. Delicious!
Jen, glad to hear your family approved! Thanks!
Will do! I’m making it the day before a hunting trip and will be warming it up the day of.
Could I use russet instead of gold potatoes?
Yes, should work just fine! I have used redskins and the result was the same. 🙂
It’s in my insta pot now. No potatoes used leftover black beans and corn. Hoping it will taste good. Smells amazing
I made this tonight for dinner in my instapot. It was a hit! My 2 and 5 year old ate it up (says a lot because they can be picky with veggies). And my husband liked it also! And it was nearly foolproof in my instapot. ( : Happy mama over here.
Christina – so awesome!! Glad the whole family enjoyed it!!
How many servings does this make?
Hi Tracey – it makes approximately 10 cups!
This was a big hit with my family. Will definitely be making it again!
Thank you, Kelley!! It’s a great recipe for this time of year! 🙂
Could it work with ground turkey and chili powder? Kinda like a chili/soup? Trying to eat more turkey, but I need chili powder since I am not a fan, lol!! Thank you!!
Yes, absolutely!!
Thank you so much!!!
Do the green beans have to be frozen?
Hi Nyssa, fresh is fine too!
Could I use canned? Not a fan of frozen or fresh
Hey Melissa – are you referring to the green beans? If so, yes canned is fine although I might add them to the pot after the soup is done cooking since they are already cooked.
I just made this for dinner, and it was a huge hit. I didn’t have ground beef or beef broth, but used ground turkey and chicken broth. I also didn’t have green beans so I used frozen corn instead. The kids had seconds. Thank you so much for the recipe. Took about 35 minutes from start to finish to make.
Awesome! I love how versatile this recipe is too. Glad to hear the family enjoyed it!
really flavorful and easy! love my instant pot! thank you for the amazing and easy recipe! i added ro-tel tomatoes for extra kick. one thing I would add in the instructions for the instant pot is to dump the oil after browning the meat. my soup came out a bit oily. but still tasty!! thank you!
I made this yesterday, and it turned out delicious!!! I thought it might be bland with just the salt and pepper, but it turned out great. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Thank you, Heather! It’s a favorite at our house 🙂
Can I double the recipe?
Depending on how big your pot is, sure!
What size Instant Pot did you use for this recipe? My pot is a 6quart. I can’t wait to use this recipe!
I have a 6 quart also 🙂
Wow is all I can say. It was great
I have a 6qt instant pot and I doubled the recipe no problem! Was\is delicious and perfect for this cold dreary day!
Marianne, good to know! I get a lot of questions about doubling this recipe 🙂
Can you use all frozen items/vegetables?
Yes! I cook things from a frozen state in the IP all the time 🙂
I don’t have a instant pot so can I make this in the stove and if so how long do should I cook it for?
Sure, you’ll want to cook the meat and saute the carrots, onion, and celery first. Then add the rest, and simmer until the potatoes are cooked.
Hi I just received an 8Q IP and want to make this…I am not sure about doubling…when I double do I double everything? What about time? Want to make this for my family next week for this cold weather!
I think it fills my 6qt about 2/3 full. Doubling will be a tight fit but should work in the 8qt. Cook time is the same! Enjoy!
The ‘cook’ time is the same because the count down doesn’t start until the whole batch gets to temp/pressure. The doubled recipe will take longer to get to ‘seal’.
I used to make this on the stove. My kids and their friends (teenagers) would eat the whole pot on a Saturday. Some chocolate chip cookies for dessert. Warmed the house and the kids. First time trying in the instapot. Waiting for it to finish. Sometimes I would add a can of Rotel tomatoes and chilies just to change it up. Delicious, inexpensive and feeds a houseful.
Thanks, Chris! My kids also love this soup, it’s just so cozy and comforting! I love how budget friendly it is 😉
I’m trying this today for supper but have never used my IP so I’m nervous. I’m not sure how it works.
This is a great first-use recipe! Very simple and delicious!
Does this soup freeze well?
Yes, absolutely! Sometimes I freeze individual portions for an easy grab and go lunch.
I just made this and my husband and I are super impressed how flavorful this is! This will definitely become a regular for us.
After Browning the meat, my Instapot took about 20 minutes to get up to pressure, then another 30 minutes to cook. I used natural release, which took about 5 minutes. Thanks so much for this recipe!
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the recipe 🙂
Do you peel the potatoes?
Pedro, no need to peel the potatoes if using yellow Yukons. I have substituted red or white potatoes and I do peel those, as the skin is a little tougher. Hope you enjoy it!!
Above was supposed to be 5 stars!
Thank you Susan!!
This was a great recipe! It was also my first recipe using my IP. I had made this for our lunches for the week, it was ready AFTER we ate dinner and my husband ate a bowl, in addition to his dinner, as it was so good. I did forgot to get frozen green beans when shopping but I substituted frozen butter beans and they were a perfect substitution. This will definitely be kept on the list of IP recipes.
Thank you, Laura! Glad you enjoyed it!
Hi! Canned tomatoes have sugar in them, so this Whole30 complaint? Sorry, I just started Whole30 so I’m not sure what’s compliant or not. Thanks in advance!
Maria – most canned tomatoes I find in the store do not have any added sugar. Be sure to check the ingredient list, this is where you will see if there’s any added sugars. Any sugar content listed on the nutrition label is most likely natural sugars from the tomatoes and is fine. Does that help??
Made this in my Instant Pot tonight and it was incredibly delicious. Recipe was super easy and quick. We will be definitely making it again!
Thanks, Lisa! We have this soup on regular rotation 😉
Hi, would it work to add canned kidney beans? I have not used my instant pot very much yet so I’m not sure if the beans can withstand the pressure. Thanks
Bernadette, yes beans do fine in the Instant Pot and would be a great addition to this recipe!
Thanks Nikki! I added one can of red kidney beans to your recipe. It turned out great! I had it as a leftover for lunch today and it was very filling and yummy.
Does the meat need to be sauted first? Can I just dump everything, breaking up the meat, and cook on high pressure?
Amy – I haven’t tried this method but I don’t see why not!
Great recipe. My sister made this first and told me I needed to try it. The one addition we have made is a splash of worcestershire sauce, garlic powder instead of minced and chicken broth instead of beef (since I never have beef on hand). I’ve made it 4 times in 2 weeks. 🙂
Thank you, Torey! And great suggestions too!!
This was excellent! I added a dash of basil, oregano and cinnamon
Thanks! Love your cinnamon suggestion! I add it to chili all the time 🙂
This has become a favorite in my home. We don’t need to make any changes to the recipe, we love it just as it’s written. Fast and easy, I usually keep all the ingredients on hand so I can make it quick in the Instant Pot. Thanks!
Amanda – Yay, that makes me so happy! Thank you 🙂
I tried your recipe tonight after my husband came home late and I needed something fast. We substituted 1/2 cup pearl barley and 1 cup extra water since I was out of potatoes. We will absolutely make this again!
Thanks for the recipe and other suggestions. 😊
P.S. A friend suggested that next time I am out of potatoes to put some frozen hasbrowns in as a substitute. Never thought of that!
Great tip!! Thank you so much for the kind comments!
This is such a great recipe! I shared it with my sister and we both make it several times a month. It’s a family favorite! One small addition we make is a couple dashes of Worcestershire sauce and sometimes a bay leaf. It’s a delicious recipe, thank you!
I add a can of diced tomatoes, add more veggies! Super yummy!
This recipe was added to my recipe binder. I made it for my husband and he loved it. I don’t own a instant pot or slow cooker, so I just cooked it on stove top in low heat for about 1hr and it turned out great. I added some diced avocado when serving. Thank you.
Pingback: 20 Healthy Instant Pot Recipes - The Lemon Bowl®
Pingback: Deja Vu – everydayandi
Pingback: Whole 30 Instant Pot Recipes - Balancing Motherhood
First of all, I have to tell you that this soup is a family favorite! My picky kid even eats it which is a definite win. I love that it cooks up quickly on a weeknight, and I can toss in whatever veggies I have on hand.
Secondly, I love those soup bowls in your photos- where can I get them?
Thanks, Courtney! I found the bowls at TJ Maxx, but it was a couple of years ago so not sure if they’re still around!
The nutritional information does not list the serving size. What is the serving size? One of my favorite Recipes!
Thanks, Joanne! Serving size is approximately 1.5 cups each.
I’ve loved hamburger soup for as long as I can remember. I added to it just a bit, 1 tsp of fresh thyme and 3 tblsp of pot barley . The fresh thyme added that last little pinch of flavor and the barley added to the thickening just a tweak. Other than that, I will pass this recipe on to all my hamburger soup friends!
Thank you, Debbie! Love your suggestions!
2 Thumbs way up. The only change I made was starting the onions first then add in the meat.
Thanks for sharing.
Dale, thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it!
My whole family LOVES this recipe. My hubby isn’t a fan of celery so ANY recipe that calls for celery, I sub in diced water chestnuts! We also try to keep things as low carb as we can so I sub out potatoes with cauliflower in soups with potatoes. Thank you for SUCH a flavorful soup!!!!
Betty, thanks for taking the time to leave such a kind review! Glad your family enjoyed the recipe. I love your suggestions – going to have to try your water chestnut idea soon!
Thanks for this delicious recipe! The first in my IP. I followed your recipe except I substituted ground turkey for ground beef since I had it on hand. Very flavorful and hit the spot on this cold rainy day. Thumbs up all around!
Donna, thanks so much!! It’s the perfect soup for a cool rainy day. I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you for this PERFECT soup! I make it weekly for my family. I made it for a work event and not a drop was left! I shared the recipe with at least 10 people! Thanks for so many great recipes!
Oh thank you so much! Messages like this make my day!
Have made this several times but the basic recipe needs some herbs and spices. I always have a few bay leaves in my soups and I like to add thyme to this and maybe a little cayenne or paprika. last time I also added zoodles.
Yesterday I made a variation with sweet potatoes /fresh mushroom and threw in spinach at the end. No tomato anything, just extra
beef broth and thickened a bit with arrowroot, so almost a stew. Added Tony Chachere’s for a little kick, hubby loved it!
Do I substitute your homemade all purpose seasoning for the salt and pepper? One teaspoon or two?
I usually add 2 teaspoons. There is no salt in the all purpose blend so you may want to taste for salt and add if needed. Enjoy!
Can you use frozen ground beef instead? If so, how many minutes would you add?
I did add a little more salt and garlic but love this! So easy and delicious!
I was hoping to make this today, with all the craziness surrounding us these days I really want to use things i have on hand (not leaving the house). Anyways…. I don’t have tomato paste. Is this for thickening in this or flavor? I know there are some substitutions out there but I’m not sure what to use.
This sounds amazing! I pretty much ONLY cook in my Instant Pot nowdays, especially with 3 virtual learners in the house . . . Can someone please repost the recipe in the comment section? It is glitchy as printed above . . . Thanks a million, I’ll try to come back and tell everyone how delicious it will be once I make it!!
Hey there! Sorry for technical issues! I’m working on fixing it but in the meantime, you can access the recipe clearly on a laptop. Thanks for visiting!
My son-in-law made this for us. I liked it so much I asked him for the recipe!
Even my kids love this one…we have to put cheese on theirs and call it cheeseburger stew but whatever works!
Love the versatility of this recipe. Add and subtract according to your tastes, and ingredients most people already have on hand. Also, you don’t need any special equipment.
Personal fav, dream meal!! Love it! 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍
Literally so good. I love it. You should definitely try this recipe, it’s so quick and easy.
I am a huge fan of soup, but sadly my family says they “don’t like soup” so I hardly ever make it. I decided to give this one a try and everyone loved it! I don’t think they will be converts, but at least I know I have one great soup recipe I can make with no complaints! Thanks!
Another great recipe for my instant pot! Served this for dinner tonight and it was a hit all around the table; easily, a new favorite recipe!
This soup was delicious! The perfect dinner!
Love this easy instant pot recipe!! It was hearty, satisfying and the perfect busy weeknight dinner for our family!
This instant pot version of hamburger soup looks so delicious. Thanks for sharing.