Keto Spoonful

Introduction: Cozy Bowls & Carb-Conscious Joy

Hey friend! Madison here, your keto kitchen hype-woman. 🥄 Picture this: It’s pouring rain outside, your fuzzy socks are on, and you’re craving something hearty that won’t derail your low-carb mojo. Enter my Hearty Hamburger Soup—the ultimate hug in a bowl! This isn’t just “another soup recipe.” It’s a flavor-packed, veggie-loaded miracle that’ll make you forget it’s only 3 NET CARBS per serving. Seriously, even my carb-loving kids beg for seconds.

Remember when keto felt like endless bunless burgers and sad salads? *shudders* I created this soup during my early keto days when I was drowning in egg fatigue. I needed warmth, texture, and that nostalgic “mom’s cooking” vibe—without the potato chunks or beans. The result? A bubbling pot of savory ground beef, tender cabbage, and vibrant greens swimming in a rich tomato-herb broth. It’s meal prep magic, freezer-friendly, and ready in 45 minutes flat. No fancy skills required—just one pot and a hungry heart. Let’s make comfort food that loves you back!

My Snowed-In Soup Revelation

Let’s rewind to the “Great Blizzard of 2019.” My pantry was emptier than my motivation to shovel snow. All I had was half a cabbage, frozen spinach, and lonely pound of ground beef. Desperation mode: activated. I threw it all in a pot with broth and spices, muttering, “This’ll be edible… maybe.”

But OH. MY. KETO. The kitchen filled with this insane savory aroma that dragged my carb-cranky husband away from his video games. He took one bite, eyes wide, and said: “Is this… legal?!” We spent that snow day curled up with bowls of this soup, watching old movies, and I had a lightbulb moment: Keto comfort isn’t about restriction—it’s about reinvention. This humble soup became my winter staple, evolving with every batch (like the time I added cayenne and did a happy spice dance 💃). Now, it’s my most-requested recipe from friends doing keto “for real this time.”

Ingredients: Simple Stars, Big Flavor

PSA: Swap freely! Your kitchen, your rules.

• 1 tbsp olive oil – Our flavor-launcher! Avocado oil works too if you’re searing hot.
• ½ medium onion, chopped – Sweet or yellow! Chef hack: Use 1 tsp onion powder if you’re out.
• 4 celery stalks, chopped – Crunchy flavor base. No celery? Try diced fennel or bell peppers.
• 1 lb ground beef – 80/20 is perfect for richness. Ground turkey? Sure! Just add extra olive oil.
• 4 cups cabbage, shredded – The low-carb potato impersonator! Thinly slice for quick cooking.
• 1 garlic clove, minced – Double it if you’re a garlic fiend (no judgment).
• 2 oz fresh spinach, thinly sliced – Pro move: Frozen works! Thaw and squeeze dry.
• 4 cups beef broth – Bone broth = next-level richness. Low-sodium if you’re salt-sensitive.
• 4 cups water – Sounds basic, but it lets the veggie flavors shine!
• 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce – Secret umami booster! No cans? Use sugar-free marinara.
• 1 tsp sea salt – Start here, add more later. Pink Himalayan salt = my fave.
• ½ tsp ground black pepper – Freshly cracked = game-changer.
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper – Optional but *chef’s kiss* for a gentle kick.Print

  Hamburger Soup

  

  Print Recipe

  This low-carb hamburger soup is everything you want in a bowl—rich, satisfying, and full of vibrant vegetables. With tender cabbage, spinach, and savory ground beef in a seasoned broth, it’s a one-pot wonder that keeps you full and fueled without the carbs.

  • Author: MadisonReynolds
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 35 mins
  • Total Time: 45 mins
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Category: Dinner

  Ingredients

  Scale 1x2x3x

  1 tbsp olive oil

  ½ medium onion, chopped

  4 celery stalks, chopped

  1 lb ground beef

  4 cups cabbage, shredded

  1 garlic clove, minced

  2 oz fresh spinach, thinly sliced

  4 cups beef broth

  4 cups water

  1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce

  1 tsp sea salt

  ½ tsp ground black pepper

  ¼ tsp cayenne pepper

  Instructions

  Sauté Base: In a large pot over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add onion and celery. Cook for 3 minutes until softened.

  Brown Beef: Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.

  Add Cabbage: Stir in cabbage and cook for 5–7 minutes, until softened.

  Add Garlic & Spinach: Mix in minced garlic and sliced spinach. Stir until wilted.

  Simmer: Add beef broth, water, tomato sauce, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Stir well.

  Cook: Simmer on low heat for 20–25 minutes to develop flavors.

  Serve: Ladle into bowls and enjoy warm.

  Nutrition

  • Calories: ~160
  • Fat: 9g
  • Carbohydrates: 3g
  • Protein: 12g

Step-by-Step: Let’s Build Flavor Town!

Grab your favorite soup pot—we’re making magic.

1. Sauté Base: Heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and celery. Cook 3 minutes until they sweat and soften (no browning!). Why? This builds our flavor foundation! Stir often—no multitasking here.
2. Brown Beef: Add ground beef. Break it up with a wooden spoon! Cook until no pink remains (5-7 mins). Chef secret: Don’t drain the fat! That’s FREE FLAVOR for keto. (But drain if using higher fat meat.)
3. Add Cabbage: Pile in that shredded cabbage! Stir well. Cook 5-7 mins until it wilts like a shy kitten. Hack: Cover the pot briefly to steam it faster.
4. Garlic & Spinach Party: Add minced garlic and spinach. Stir 1-2 minutes until spinach collapses. Timing tip: Garlic burns fast—keep it moving!
5. Simmer It All: Pour in broth, water, tomato sauce, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Stir like you mean it! Scrape any tasty bits off the pot bottom.
6. Cook Low & Slow: Reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered 20-25 mins. DO NOT BOIL—gentle bubbles only! Why? Boiling makes beef tough. Taste test at 20 mins—need more salt? More cayenne? Adjust to your soul.

Serving Suggestions: Bowl Bliss

Ladle this beauty into deep bowls while steaming hot! Top with a sprinkle of sharp cheddar, fresh parsley, or a dollop of tangy sour cream. For *next-level cozy*: Serve with keto garlic bread (cheesy cloud bread, anyone?) for dunking. Pack leftovers in mason jars—they freeze like a dream for emergency keto meals!

Recipe Variations: Switch It Up!

Boredom? Not in my keto kitchen!

• Taco Twist: Swap cayenne for 1 tbsp taco seasoning. Top with avocado & jalapeños!
• Italian Vibes: Add 1 tsp oregano + ½ tsp basil. Stir in Parmesan rind while simmering.
• Creamy Dream: Stir in ½ cup heavy cream at the end. Instant velvet texture!
• Paleo/Whole30: Use compliant tomato sauce & broth. Skip dairy toppings.
• Veggie Load: Add zucchini or cauliflower rice with the cabbage!

Chef’s Notes: Soup Confessions

True story: I once added a whole tablespoon of cayenne (don’t ask, I was sleep-deprived). We dubbed it “Dragon Soup” and ate it with sour cream shields 🛡️🔥. Lesson learned! Over the years, I’ve tweaked this recipe based on YOUR feedback. One reader suggested layering spices with the beef—GENIUS move for depth. Another added mushrooms (yes please!). The soup’s flexibility is why I adore it. It’s survived 3 kitchen renovations and one misguided attempt with kale (stick to spinach, friends).

FAQs: Your Soup SOS

Q: Can I make this in a slow cooker?
A: Absolutely! Sauté beef/veggies first (crucial for flavor!), then dump everything in the crockpot. Cook 4-6 hrs on low. Add spinach last 30 mins!

Q: Why is my soup kinda bland?
A: Two fixes: 1) Salt responsibly! Broths vary. Add ½ tsp more salt and simmer 10 mins. 2) Acid magic: A splash of apple cider vinegar or squeeze of lemon brightens everything!

Q: Help—it’s too thin / too thick!
A: Thin: Simmer uncovered longer to reduce. Thick: Add ½ cup broth or water. Remember—it thickens as it cools!

Q: Can I use ground turkey/chicken?
A: Yes! But add 1 tbsp olive oil when browning—it’s leaner. Boost flavor with ½ tsp smoked paprika.

Nutritional Info (Per Serving, 8 Servings)

Calories: ~160 | Protein: 12g | Fat: 9g | Net Carbs: 3g | Fiber: 2g

Prep: 10 mins | Cook: 35 mins | Total: 45 mins

This Hearty Hamburger Soup is the keto comfort food you didn’t know you needed. It’s savory, filling, and packed with fresh, low-carb ingredients like cabbage, spinach, and ground beef, all simmered in a rich tomato-herb broth. Whether you’re snowed in, fighting off a craving for something hearty, or just in the mood for a cozy, soul-warming meal, this soup delivers big flavor with just 3 net carbs per serving. Best of all, it’s incredibly customizable—swap ingredients as needed and let your creativity shine. From the simplicity of its ingredients to its depth of flavor, this soup proves that keto comfort food isn’t about what you can’t have—it’s about what you can create. So grab a spoon, dive in, and enjoy a bowl of pure keto joy!