Craving a cheeseburger but trying to stick to a low-carb or keto diet? This creamy and hearty keto cheeseburger soup is the perfect solution. It combines all the classic flavors of a juicy cheeseburger into a warm, comforting soup that can be easily made in a slow cooker or on the stovetop. This recipe is family-friendly, customizable, and packed with flavor.
Why This Recipe Works
This cheeseburger soup recipe is a winner for several reasons:
- Keto-Friendly: By using cauliflower instead of potatoes and relying on cheese and heavy cream for thickening, this soup is low in carbs and high in fat, making it perfect for a keto diet.
- Easy to Make: Whether you choose the slow cooker or stovetop method, this recipe is simple to prepare with minimal effort. It's a great "dump and go" option for busy weeknights.
- Customizable: Easily adapt this recipe to your liking by adding different cheeses, vegetables, or spices. You can even make it vegetarian by swapping the ground beef for a plant-based alternative.
- Family-Friendly: This soup is a great way to sneak in extra veggies and use up leftovers from the fridge. Its familiar cheeseburger flavor is sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
Here's what you'll need to make this delicious keto cheeseburger soup:
- Ground Beef: Lean ground beef is recommended, but you can also use ground turkey, venison, or pork.
- Bacon: Adds a smoky flavor and crispy texture to the soup. Pre-cooked bacon can be used for convenience.
- Vegetables: Onion, celery, carrots, and cauliflower provide flavor, nutrients, and texture.
- Beef Broth: Enhances the ground beef flavor. Chicken or vegetable broth can be used as a substitute.
- Cheese: Shredded cheddar cheese is a classic choice, but you can use any cheese you like. Cream cheese adds richness and creaminess.
- Heavy Cream: Thickens the soup and adds a luxurious texture.
- Seasonings: Garlic, salt, pepper, dried basil, parsley, hamburger seasoning, Ranch dressing mix, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies add depth of flavor.
- Optional Toppings: Pickles, sour cream, green onions, fresh herbs, and extra cheese for added flavor and garnish.
Instructions
Slow Cooker Method
- Cook bacon and ground beef as normal. Drain off excess grease.
- Add cauliflower, celery, carrots, beef, bacon, and broth to the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
- 30 minutes prior to serving: Turn off the slow cooker, and take inner pot of soup out of cooking device.
- In a small saucepan, add heavy cream and whisk in xanthan gum (optional, for thickening). Bring to a low boil and immediately reduce heat. When the mixture has thickened slightly, add it to the pot of soup and stir.
- Slowly add in shredded cheese 1/4 cup at a time and whisk to ensure it melts evenly.
Stovetop Method
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, fry bacon. Drain off extra grease and set bacon aside on a paper towel.
- Place ground beef, garlic, seasoning, onion, and green pepper in the pot and cook until the ground beef is no longer pink. Again drain off excess fat and grease.
- Add in cauliflower, carrots, celery, and chicken broth. Bring the pot to a boil, then reduce to simmer, and cover the pot with a lid. Simmer until the vegetables are tender.
- In a small sauce pan, add heavy cream and whisk in xanthan gum (optional, for thickening). Bring mixture to a low boil and immediately reduce heat. When the mixture has thickened slightly, add it to the pot of soup and stir.
- Slowly add in shredded cheese 1/4 cup at a time and whisk to ensure it melts evenly.
Tips and Variations
- Make it Vegetarian: Swap the ground beef for a plant-based option like Beyond Beef and the beef broth for veggie broth.
- Add Some Spice: Spice it up with a generous pinch of cayenne pepper or a couple splashes of hot sauce.
- Thicken the Soup: If you like a thicker soup, you can add a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) to the soup during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Add-Ins: Consider adding sliced mushrooms, cauliflower rice, or konjac noodles to the soup for added texture and flavor.
- Cheese Variations: Experiment with different cheeses like Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or a blend of cheddar and mozzarella.
- Topping Ideas: Top the soup with sliced dill pickles, fine diced red onion, shredded cheese, crispy bacon, parsley, diced cherry tomatoes, croutons, green onions, or a dollop of sour cream.
Nutritional Information
This keto cheeseburger soup recipe typically has around 6 net carbs per serving and a high ratio of fat, making it suitable for a keto diet. The exact nutritional information will vary depending on the specific ingredients used.
Storage and Reheating
- Storage: Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: Reheat the soup in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through.
- Freezing: While freezing is possible, it's not recommended due to the dairy content, which may separate upon thawing and alter the texture of the soup. If you do freeze it, consider leaving out the dairy products until reheating.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto