How to Make No-Recipe Hamburger Soup

This soup is not only tasty and filling, it's great for using up bits of vegetables in the fridge!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1/2-1 pound hamburger
• Chopped onion, garlic
• Canned tomato: chopped, sauce, paste (or a combination)
• Beer or red wine (optional)
• Chopped veggies
• Dried or fresh herbs

1. Start with ½ to 1 pound of ground beef. It's best to use low fat (4-5%) beef. If you don't have that, then just pour off the fat after you cook it. Brown the beef with a chopped onion and maybe some celery. You can start with frozen beef, just scrape off the browned part as it cooks to reveal the frozen part underneath.

2. Add a big can of chopped tomatoes. If you don't have that, you can use tomato sauce or even tomato paste. (If you use tomato paste, you will have to add more water, of course.)

3. Add a bottle or can or beer or some red wine, if you like. The alcohol will burn off as it cooks but it leaves a very nice flavor.

4. Add more liquid, either beef or veggie broth or some bouillon and water. You want enough to cover the meat by at least several inches.

5. Add chopped veggies: fresh, frozen or canned. You can go exotic (chopped fennel bulb is amazing) or simple (just potatoes and carrots make wonderful soup).

6. Add dried or fresh herbs. Basil goes especially well with anything tomato.

7. Cook for about 20-25 minutes and serve in big bowls.

Tips & Warnings

• Cornbread or biscuits go really well with this.