Instant Pot Cheeseburger Soup

This hearty instant pot cheeseburger soup is a cheesy and satisfying comfort food the whole family will love. Made in under 30 minutes it's the perfect lunch or dinner recipe for the cold weather.

Everyone needs a go-to soup recipe during the winter time. With this easy cheeseburger soup I always find myself doubling the recipe! Everyone, including my kiddos, always ask for seconds.

Made with ground beef, fresh veggies, and other simple ingredients this is a great dinner for busy weeknights. Like my instant pot chicken noodle soup, this recipe is quick, healthy, and tasty.

Why is this recipe special?

• It's easily made gluten-free so everyone can enjoy it
• Leftovers taste just as good as fresh
• This is the perfect belly warming meal a cold night
• It's made with basic ingredients you probably already have

What is cheeseburger soup made of?

• Beef - I prefer to use lean ground beef to avoid excess grease but you can use whatever you have on hand.
• Veggies - Yellow onion, celery, and carrots are my go-to's but feel free to throw in some green onions or other veggies.
• Chicken broth - To keep this soup gluten-free, double check that the chicken broth is gf as well. Swap for beef broth.
• Potatoes - Red potatoes or russet potatoes work great.
• Gluten-free flour - I always use brown rice flour for this recipe but you can use your favorite flour.
• Cheese - Sharp cheddar cheese is a must!
• Milk - Use whole milk or add a splash of heavy cream for a creamier texture
• Pantry staples - Grab the butter, spices, and sour cream from your kitchen

The simple steps

Step 1: Brown the beef and veggies

Using the saute function, brown meat and veggies on the stove top or the bottom of the instant pot with butter until veggies are soft and meat is cooked

Step 2: Apply pressure

Add the chicken broth then cook on high pressure for 10 minutes

Step 3: Whisk milk and flour together

Simply whisk them until no longer clumpy, cornstarch works also

Step 4: Release and thicken

Pressure release then add the thickened flour and milk mixture

Step 5: Top and serve

Mix in cheese and sour cream. Serve hot!

Pro tip: Freshly grated cheese will taste better and melt much better than pre shredded cheese.

Variations

I like to switch up this instant pot hamburger soup by adding different toppings. Like a cheeseburger, you can get as creative as you want with your favorite toppings. Here are a few of my favorites...

• Bacon - Crispy bacon or bacon bits work great!
• Pickles - If you like pickles, add some dill pickle chunks on top of your soup.
• Bell peppers - Red, yellow, or green bell peppers add a nice crunch.
• Croutons - Kind of like a burger bun!
• Meat - You can also use ground turkey or ground chicken.

Can you boil ground beef for soup?

Yes you can boil ground beef in soup recipes. It's a quick, easy, and mess free way to cook the meat. Boiling also helps remove any of the excess grease that might accumulate while frying.

Storage

Storing - Refrigerate this soup in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Make sure the soup has cooled to room temperature before storing. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove for easy leftovers.

Freezing - Make sure the soup is room temperature or cold before freezing. Place into freezer bags or a freezer safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat when ready.

What to serve with soup

Although you can serve this cheesy soup on it's own, it's always nice to have a side dish. Here are some yummy side dishes that pair well with this soup...

• You can't go wrong with the soup and salad bar combo
• My gluten free sourdough bread tastes great dunked in hamburger soup
• Mashed potatoes are a delicious side dish to nearly any main course
• To combat all of the savory flavors, serve chocolate chip cookies as a dessert

This post was originally published August 23, 2009 but has since been updated with new photos and helpful information. It's also been adjusted for the instant pot.