25-Min Best Cheeseburger Soup Recipe for Busy Family (2025)

When you think of a juicy cheeseburger, what comes to mind? The sizzling ground beef, tangy pickles, melty cheese, ketchup, mustard, and onions… pure comfort.

Now imagine all those flavors mingling together in a creamy, hearty soup that’s ready in just minutes. That’s precisely what this Cheeseburger Soup Recipe delivers. It’s like your favorite burger turned into a cozy bowl of happiness.

This is one of those recipes you’ll want in your back pocket for busy weeknights, chilly fall evenings, or anytime you’re craving comfort food with a twist. Plus, it’s a total crowd-pleaser; even picky eaters can’t resist it.

In this post, we’ll walk through how to make cheeseburger soup step-by-step and cover tips for customizing it.

Why You’ll Love This Cheeseburger Soup

That first bite of a perfect cheeseburger, juicy beef, tangy pickles, melty cheese, mustard, and ketchup is a flavor combo that’s hard to beat.

Now picture all of that goodness, but instead of holding it in a bun, you’re diving into it with a spoon.

This Cheeseburger Soup Recipe is the best of both worlds:

• All the classic flavors of a cheeseburger but in a creamy, cozy soup form.
• Quick and easy, from chopping your onion to the first spoonful, you can have it ready in as little as 30 minutes.
• Minimal cleanup, just one pot, whether that’s a stovetop pot, Instant Pot on sauté mode, or a Ninja Foodi.
• Flexible ingredients work with whatever cheese you have on hand, different mustards, or even alternative proteins like ground turkey.
• Customizable texture keeps your beef in hearty chunks for a proper “burger bite” or break it down finer if you prefer a smoother spoonful.
• Family-friendly, even picky eaters can get on board with the familiar burger flavors, and it’s easy to skip or swap toppings for different preferences.

And maybe the best part? It’s a recipe you can make your own, add spice for heat lovers, sneak in extra veggies for nutrition, or double the cheese for pure indulgence.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Below is a complete list of what you’ll need. I’ve added helpful notes so you understand the role of each ingredient and possible substitutions.

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make Cheeseburger Soup

This Cheeseburger Soup Recipe is easy and delicious. Each step adds flavor and texture, turning every spoonful into a creamy, cozy version of your favorite cheeseburger.

Here’s how to make it at home, with plenty of tips and substitutions to help you customize it exactly the way you like.

Step 1: Season and Prep the Beef

Before you turn on the heat, take a few minutes to season your ground beef. This little detail makes a huge difference in flavor.

• Measure and mix your seasonings: Combine 1 teaspoon of fine-grind sea salt, ½ teaspoon of black pepper, and ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder.
• Sprinkle evenly over 1 pound of raw ground beef.
• Lightly mix with your hands or a spoon, but don’t overwork it.

Why season first? When you add the seasoning to raw meat, the flavors soak in as it cooks. This means every bite, even the bigger chunks, is well-seasoned inside and out.

Pro Tip: Keep the beef in larger, chunkier pieces. Unlike taco meat or pasta sauce, cheeseburger soup benefits from “burger-style” bites instead of a fine crumble. Think spoonfuls that remind you of a hearty burger patty.

Step 2: Sauté the Beef and Onions

Time to get that rich, savory base started.

• Heat your cooking vessel: Set a large soup pot, Dutch oven, or multicooker (like an Instant Pot or Ninja Foodi) to medium-high heat or Sear/Sauté mode.
• Add the seasoned beef to the hot pot.
• Toss in your diced onion (about 1 medium, sweet or yellow works best).

Let the beef sizzle undisturbed for a minute or two before flipping. This develops that golden-brown crust known as the Maillard reaction, which adds depth to the final soup.

Once one side has browned, gently flip and break the beef apart into hearty chunks, mixing it with the onions. Cook until it’s halfway to three-quarters done.

This leaves enough cooking time for the following ingredients to meld together without overcooking the meat.

Optional: If you prefer a lighter soup, you can drain off excess fat at this stage. However, leaving it in adds richness and a glossy finish to the broth.

Step 3: Add the Flavor Base

This is where your kitchen starts smelling like you’ve just fired up the grill for burger night.

• Worcestershire sauce (1 tablespoon) goes in first. Stir it into the meat and onions so it seeps into every bite. This sauce is like a secret weapon, adding savory umami that mimics the depth of a perfectly grilled burger.
• Next, add ketchup (¼ cup) for sweetness and tang.
• Add mustard (1 tablespoon), which gives that familiar cheeseburger zing. Yellow mustard keeps things classic, but Dijon or spicy brown mustard will give your soup a gourmet twist.

Stir well until all the beef is coated in this flavor-packed mixture. At this stage, the combination of sizzling meat, caramelizing onions, and tangy condiments will have your whole kitchen smelling like a burger joint.

Step 4: Build the Soup

Now it’s time to turn your cheeseburger base into soup.

1. Add beef stock. Pour in 2 cups of beef stock, using low-sodium if possible, to control the saltiness. Stir and let the mixture come to a gentle simmer.
2. Add American cheese. Grate a 6-ounce block of American cheese (cold cheese shreds more easily) and sprinkle it in.
3. Add shredded melting cheese. Toss in 2 ounces of your favorite melting cheese blend (Monterey Jack, mild cheddar, or a Mexican cheese mix works beautifully).

Why American cheese?

While you might not use it in everyday cooking, American cheese is unbeatable for melting into a smooth, creamy base. It also has that nostalgic “classic cheeseburger” flavor.

Stir slowly, letting the cheese melt completely. This step transforms the stock into a thick, velvety, cheese-infused broth that’s going to coat every bite of beef and onion.

Step 5: Add Pickles

You can’t have an actual cheeseburger experience without pickles. They add brightness and acidity to cut through the richness.

• Dice two dill pickles into small pieces.
• Stir them into the soup.

Pro Tip: Save the third pickle for garnish, slice it thin, and add it to the top of each bowl before serving.

What about other pickle varieties? Bread-and-butter pickles bring a sweeter note, while spicy dill pickles add a kick. Just keep in mind, dill pickles best replicate the taste of a classic burger.

If you’re unsure about pickles in soup, start with one. You might be surprised at how much you enjoy the tangy punch.

Step 6: Add the Cream

This is the step that makes your soup luxuriously smooth.

• Pour in 1 cup of heavy whipping cream and stir gently.
• Lower the heat; you want the soup hot but not boiling.

Why avoid boiling? High heat can cause cream to separate, creating a grainy texture instead of a silky one. Keeping the temperature low preserves the smoothness.

At this point, your cheeseburger soup should have a thick, creamy base with chunks of seasoned beef, softened onions, melted cheese, and little pops of dill pickle.

Step 7: Serve and Garnish

Here’s where you can have a little fun and make your cheeseburger soup visually irresistible.

Serving

Ladle the soup into bowls, making sure to get a good mix of beef, cheese, and broth in each serving.

Garnish Ideas

• Classic cheeseburger finish: Drizzle a little ketchup and mustard right on top.
• Pickle slices: Arrange a few thin slices in the center.
• Extra cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheddar or American cheese over the top.
• Crunch factor: Add croutons or crushed toasted buns.
• Bacon bits: For a smoky twist.

If you’re hosting a casual dinner, consider setting up a garnish bar so everyone can customize their bowl.

Customization Ideas for Cheeseburger Soup

One of the best things about this cheeseburger soup recipe is its adaptability. Here’s a table to help you mix, match, and swap ingredients while keeping the soup delicious.

How to Thicken Cheeseburger Soup

The beauty of cheeseburger soup is that you can control the texture to suit your taste. Some like it brothy for easy sipping; others prefer a hearty, stick-to-your-spoon consistency.

Here are several ways to make your soup thicker, all of which work well depending on your time and ingredients:

1. Add more shredded cheese
   • Easiest method: sprinkle in extra cheddar, Monterey Jack, or American cheese toward the end of cooking.
   • The cheese melts into the broth, making it creamier and more decadent.
2. Make a roux
   • In a separate small pan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter, stir in 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, and cook for 2–3 minutes until golden.
   • Whisk into the soup and simmer until thickened.
   • Creates a silky, chowder-like base.
3. Use a cornstarch slurry.
   • Mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water until smooth.
   • Stir into simmering soup and cook for 2–3 minutes.
   • Quick, gluten-free way to thicken without altering flavor.
4. Let it rest
   • Cheeseburger soup naturally thickens as it cools and even more after refrigeration overnight.
   • Great option if making ahead.
5. Add cooked potatoes
   • Dice and cook potatoes separately, then mash a portion and stir it into the soup.
   • Adds body and heartiness, almost like a cheeseburger-potato chowder hybrid.

Pro Tip: If you thicken the soup too much, thin it back out with a splash of beef stock or cream until it’s at your perfect consistency.

Tips for Making the Best Cheeseburger Soup

To make your creamy cheeseburger soup taste like it came straight out of a cozy diner kitchen, keep these tips in mind:

• Season early and often. Adding salt, pepper, and garlic powder to the raw beef ensures every bite is flavorful. Taste the soup before serving and adjust if needed.
• Keep the beef chunks. Resist the urge to break the meat down too fine, hearty chunks give you that actual burger feel in every spoonful.
• Use cold cheese for shredding. Cold blocks shred more easily and melt evenly into the soup. If using sliced American cheese, tear it into smaller pieces before adding.
• Don’t boil the cream. High heat can make cream split. Lower the heat before adding it and keep it just under a simmer.
• Pickles are flavor powerhouses. Even if you’re on the fence, try adding at least a little dill pickle. The tang cuts through the richness and balances the flavors.

Final Thoughts

This cheeseburger soup recipe is the definition of cozy comfort food. It’s quick to make, incredibly flavorful, and brings all the best parts of a juicy burger into a warm, creamy bowl.

Whether you’re making it for a weeknight family dinner, a fall get-together, or meal prep for the week ahead, it’s a recipe you’ll find yourself coming back to again and again.

The beauty of this soup is its flexibility; you can go classic, make it spicy, lighten it up, or load it with extra cheese. However you choose to customize it, you’re guaranteed a dish that’s hearty, satisfying, and just plain fun to eat.

If you loved this recipe, you might also enjoy these other easy, hearty soup recipes:

• 🥬 Classic Comfort Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe — A tomato-based, one-pot wonder packed with cabbage, ground beef, and warm spices.
• 🌮 Hearty 30-Min Taco Soup Recipe for Busy Families — Bold Mexican flavors meet quick weeknight convenience.
• 🥕 Easy 5-Step Vegetable Soup Recipe for Busy Families — A wholesome, fresh veggie-packed soup perfect for any season.

Give them a try and build your collection of go-to soups that make dinner a breeze.

Ella Foster

Ella Foster, co-founder of FoodBears.com, is a skilled writer whose love for cooking fuels her creative work. Her passion for experimenting in the kitchen brings authentic flavor and culinary inspiration to every piece she crafts for the platform.