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This Instant Pot hamburger soup is easy and flavorful! It’s a healthier comfort food meal that uses simple everyday ingredients like ground beef and potatoes.

If you’re looking for the stovetop version, head on over to my popular Easy Hamburger Soup instead.

an instant pot with a ladle of hamburger soup

Why you’ll love it

Tender ground beef enrobed in a tasty tomato broth… who can resist? This Instant Pot hamburger soup builds a ton of flavor in way less time. I just love how this appliance concentrates flavor and is pretty hands off. Open it up, and it’s as if this soup has been simmering away for hours.

I always make this simple, hearty, and affordable soup when I’m cleaning out the pantry. This Instant Pot ground beef soup recipe also happens to be super forgiving. Got some extra veggies? Throw ’em in. It’s all good! And the leftovers are very tasty. It’s a reader favorite.

What you’ll need

  • Olive oil, onions, and celery – sautéing sweet (Vidalia) onions along with celery makes a delicious aromatic base
  • Ground beef – it’s also known as hamburger, hence the name of the soup. I like to use 95% lean.
  • Garlic – garlic lovers, add even more if that’s your thing
  • Tomato paste and diced tomatoes – these pantry staples are canned at the peak of ripeness for perfect concentrated tomato flavor
  • Beef broth – a 32 oz container equals the 4 cups required for this recipe. Easy peasy.
  • Potatoes – Russet potatoes are my go-to variety for soups, but you can definitely use red or Yukon gold
  • Italian seasoning – this delicious blend of dried herbs comes in a single convenient jar and adds so much flavor
ingredients for instant pot hamburger soup in prep bowls on a counter

Pro tip

  • I like to use extra lean ground beef because it’s a bit less fatty, so you can skip the step of draining the fat once you’ve browned it. There’s still a bit of fat left, but I find it adds a nice flavor to the soup. If you do use a fattier ground beef, I would definitely drain some of the fat so the soup doesn’t end up excessively oily.

How to make Instant Pot hamburger soup

This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.

sauteing onions and ground beef in an instant pot

Add the oil and chopped onion and celery to your IP. Press the sauté button, cooking for 4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and meat. Cook until browned, giving it the occasional stir. I don’t drain the fat, but you can if not using extra lean ground beef.

adding broth and tomatoes to an instant pot for hamburger soup

Stir in the tomato paste, followed by the diced tomatoes, broth, Italian seasoning, and potatoes. Close the lid with the valve on “sealing”. Cook on high pressure for 8 minutes. After the countdown, do a quick pressure release. Season generously with salt & pepper, and enjoy!

Tools for this recipe

Check out Natasha’s favorite kitchen essentials, gadgets, and cookware!

  • I have an older 6 quart model, but here’s the latest version of the Instant Pot.
  • Not sure how to store the other half of your onion? This onion saver keeps it fresh in the fridge.
  • A sturdy ladle that doesn’t slop soup all over is a must-have.

Substitutions and variations

  • You can definitely add in some chopped carrots at the same time as the celery.
  • Several readers have successfully thrown in a drained can of corn and/or green beans. Or stir in some spinach after you release the pressure for even more veggies and let it wilt.
  • If you’re sensitive to salt, use low-sodium beef broth.

What to serve with Instant Pot hamburger soup

Leftovers and storage

  • Store leftovers of this hamburger soup in the fridge for 3-4 days in a covered container. The flavors intensify over time even more!
  • I recommend reheating over a low heat in a saucepan, stirring every so often until warmed through.
  • Leftovers will freeze well. Consume within 3 months. I like to store them in individual containers.
a bowl of instant pot hamburger soup

Let me know in the comments below if you gave this easy Instant Pot soup recipe a try. I’d love a review. Questions the blog post didn’t answer? Talk to me! You can also find me on Instagram.

an instant pot with a ladle of hamburger soup
4.81 from 129 votes

Instant Pot Hamburger Soup

This Instant Pot hamburger soup is easy and flavorful! It's a healthier comfort food meal that uses simple everyday ingredients like ground beef and potatoes.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 17 minutes
Inactive time: 15 minutes
Total: 42 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients 

  • 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 medium onion chopped
  • 2 sticks celery chopped
  • 1 pound extra lean (95% lean) ground beef
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 heaping tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 (28 fluid ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 2 large Russet potatoes diced
  • 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning or to taste
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions 

  • Add the olive oil, onion, and celery to your Instant Pot. Press the sauté button and cook for 4 minutes.
  • Stir in the beef and garlic. Cook until the beef has browned, stirring occasionally (about 5 minutes). You shouldn't need to drain much fat if you're using extra lean ground beef, but feel free to drain some/most of it if desired (I didn't drain any). 
  • Stir in the tomato paste, then add in the diced tomatoes, beef broth, potatoes, and Italian seasoning. 
  • Close the lid, make sure the valve is on "sealing", and cook on high pressure for 8 minutes. 
  • Once the countdown has finished, do a quick pressure release.
  • Season with salt & pepper as needed and serve immediately. 

Notes

  • Serves 4-6. 
  • Anything from about 1 to 1.5 pounds ground beef will work.
  • Use low-sodium beef broth if you’re sensitive to salt. 
  • Inactive time indicates the time it takes the Instant Pot to get up to pressure.
  • Try the stovetop version if you don’t own an IP.

Nutrition

Calories: 253kcal, Carbohydrates: 29g, Protein: 22g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.3g, Cholesterol: 47mg, Sodium: 854mg, Potassium: 1168mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 223IU, Vitamin C: 21mg, Calcium: 85mg, Iron: 5mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

© Salt & Lavender Inc. Content and photographs are copyrighted. Sharing this blog post is much appreciated, but copying and pasting full recipes without authorization to social media is strictly prohibited.

Leave a star rating and comment below!

This recipe was originally published on January 30, 2019. It’s been updated with new photos and better instructions but is the same great recipe!


Hi! Iโ€™m Natasha.

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4.81 from 129 votes (7 ratings without comment)

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463 Comments

  1. Donna says:

    Is it possible to substitute rice for the potatoes? If so, how much rice would you recommend to add?

    1. Natasha says:

      Hi! I haven’t tested, but I’d probably sub 3/4 cup or so. Be mindful that on some IPs you can get a burning if rice sticks to the bottom, however.

  2. Lisa Jouzy says:

    2 stars
    Lacks flavour

    1. Natasha says:

      Thanks. Did you add salt?

  3. Amy says:

    How long if Iโ€™m using frozen hamburger?!!

    1. Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says:

      Hi! We’ve never cooked frozen hamburger in the Instant Pot and recommend looking at Instant Pot guidelines for frozen beef.

  4. Donald Schreiber says:

    5 stars
    Loved the Hamburger Soup it was Delicious ๐Ÿ˜‹

    1. Natasha says:

      Fantastic! ๐Ÿ™‚

  5. Nancy Mayfield says:

    5 stars
    This soup is fabulous! I added 2c of V8 vegetable juice, 16oz bag of semi frozen mixed vegetables and 2T of ketchup and was delicious! Served with some warm bread put this soup over the top.

    1. Natasha says:

      Excellent!

    2. Candis B. says:

      hello,I just have quick question,did you also use the beef broth or did you substitute broth for V8?
      thanks for your time…

  6. Beth says:

    Made this tonight. My family always gives me their input, on new recipes, and tonight they said to mark this one as a โ€œkeeperโ€. The really interesting thing about this isโ€ฆ my husband even piped up and agreed, and he doesnโ€™t like soup! ๐Ÿ™‚

    1. Natasha says:

      That’s so nice to hear!!! ๐Ÿ˜€ Thanks for letting me know, Beth!

  7. Karen Ward says:

    5 stars
    I have been looking for a great hamburger stew recipe and this is it!!! Loved it. Also didn’t have the celery but it was fine. Add green beans and corn. I wonder if sweet potatoes would give a nice twist to the stew instead of the potatoes?

    1. Natasha says:

      I’m so happy it was a hit, Karen! Yes, I think sweet potatoes would be delicious.

  8. BHerm says:

    5 stars
    Very, very good! I didn’t have celery, no big deal – still very flavorful. I used beef bone broth and added a can of tomato soup (no paste on hand,) can of stewed tomatoes, garlic powder, 1/2 lb. extra burger and a couple dashes of Italian seasoning. This one is a keeper – pinned!!!! Thank you. Quick, easy, delish.

    1. Natasha says:

      You’re very welcome!! ๐Ÿ™‚ I’m so glad you enjoyed it.

  9. Xarah says:

    3 stars
    Not much flavor. I ended up having to add 2 teaspoons of garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning (instead of a dash), smoked paprika, and white pepper.

    1. Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says:

      Did you add enough salt? This one is a reader favorite, so we’re sorry it didn’t work out for you.

  10. Dante says:

    5 stars
    This recipe was absolutely delicious and definitely going on my menu. I did add a few more seasonings to it. When serving it I added some sour cream, shredded Parmesan cheese and some hot sauce!!

    1. Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says:

      Those additions sound great, Dante! So happy you enjoyed the soup. ๐Ÿ™‚