Hearty Keto Cheeseburger Soup: A Low-Carb Comfort Food Favorite
If you’re craving all the comforting, indulgent flavors of a juicy cheeseburger—without the bun or carb overload—this hearty Keto Cheeseburger Soup is about to become your new favorite! It’s rich, cheesy, and full of satisfying protein and fat to keep you full and fueled. We love low-carb soups and chilis in our home, and this one is at the top of the list. In fact, it’s my husband’s absolute favorite!
Whether you’re deep into your keto journey or simply looking for a cozy, family-friendly meal that won’t derail your low-carb goals, this thick and creamy soup delivers. With melty cheese, crispy bacon, and classic cheeseburger toppings stirred right into the pot, it’s a crave-worthy, one-pot meal you’ll want to make again and again.
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Why You’ll Love This Keto Cheeseburger Soup
- Low-carb comfort food: All the flavor of a cheeseburger in a bowl—without the bun!
- Family-friendly: Even the picky eaters will love this rich and creamy dish.
- One-pot meal: Minimal cleanup and maximum flavor.
- Customizable toppings: Add your favorite cheeseburger fixings like pickles, green onions, or even chopped lettuce on top.
- Meal prep friendly: This soup stores well and tastes just as good reheated the next day.
Equipment You’ll Need
This soup comes together easily with just a few basic kitchen tools:
- Saucepan (for cooking the bacon)
- Paper towel-lined plate (to put the cooked bacon on after cooking)
- Kitchen scissors (optional: to cut the bacon into bite-sized pieces)
- Large soup pot or Dutch oven
- Spatula or wooden spoon
- Ladle or soup spoon
- Cutting board and knife (for chopping onion and bacon)
- Measuring spoons and cups
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make a big, hearty batch of keto cheeseburger soup:
- 12 oz pack of bacon (about 10–15 slices): Cooked and chopped. You can use more or less depending on how bacony you like it.
- 2 lbs ground beef (I like 80/20 for flavor)
- ½ medium onion, diced
- 2 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp hamburger deluxe seasoning (or your favorite burger seasoning blend)
- 2 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes, drained
- 2 tbsp ketchup – I recommend Primal Kitchen ketchup to avoid added sugars and preservatives.
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened, for easier melting)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions (Step-by-Step)
Here’s how to make this rich, creamy, low-carb cheeseburger soup from scratch:
1. Cook the Bacon
Start by cooking the bacon in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally for even cooking. You want it nice and crispy—this adds texture and tons of flavor to the finished soup. Once cooked, remove the bacon and place it on a paper towel-lined plate. Once cooled slightly, chop it into bite-sized pieces and set it aside.
Tips: You can make the bacon in advance and store it in the fridge to save time. Use kitchen scissors to quickly cut the bacon right into the pan. You can also bake the bacon on a foil-lined sheet at 400°F (200°C) for 15–20 minutes if you prefer a hands-off method.
2. Brown the Ground Beef
In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Break it up with a spatula as it cooks, allowing it to brown evenly. Once fully cooked, drain excess grease if needed, then return the beef to the pot.
3. Add Onion & Garlic
To the cooked beef, add the diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté for about 3–4 minutes until the onion is soft and fragrant. This is where the burger aroma starts to come through!
4. Season the Meat
Sprinkle in your hamburger seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine. This helps layer the flavor right into the meat base of your soup.
5. Add Tomatoes, Ketchup & Mustard
Next, add the drained diced tomatoes, ketchup, and Dijon mustard to the pot. Stir to combine all the ingredients and let them simmer together for about 5 minutes. This step gives the soup its classic cheeseburger tanginess.
6. Melt in the Cream Cheese
Cut the cream cheese into chunks and stir it into the hot soup. This might take a few minutes to melt completely, so stir often and be patient. Once it melts, it’ll create a rich, creamy base.
7. Add Cheddar Cheese
Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, allowing it to melt smoothly into the soup. You should now have a thick, cheesy, slightly chunky soup that smells amazing!
8. Simmer to Thicken
Reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer gently for 5–10 minutes, stirring occasionally. This gives the flavors time to meld and the soup to thicken up.
9. Stir in Bacon (Optional)
Stir in most of the chopped bacon, saving a little for topping if desired. You can also keep the bacon on the side and let everyone sprinkle their own on top for added crunch.
10. Taste & Adjust
Taste your soup and adjust seasoning as needed. Depending on your ingredients, you may want to add more salt, a dash of pepper, or an extra spoonful of mustard for a tangy kick.
11. Serve Hot with Toppings
Ladle into bowls and serve hot. Top with your favorite cheeseburger-style fixings like chopped pickles, extra bacon, shredded lettuce, or green onions for that full burger-in-a-bowl experience.
Tips for the Best Cheeseburger Soup
- Brown the beef well: Let it develop that flavorful crust—it adds great depth to the soup.
- Soften the cream cheese first: This makes it melt faster and more evenly into the soup.
- Adjust thickness: If you prefer a thicker soup, simmer a little longer uncovered. Want it thinner? Add a splash of beef broth or heavy cream.
- Go wild with toppings: Chopped dill pickles, green onions, shredded lettuce, or even a drizzle of sugar-free burger sauce can take this soup to the next level!
Topping Ideas
Get creative and make your soup taste like your dream cheeseburger with any of these low-carb toppings:
- Chopped pickles
- Halved cherry tomatoes
- Extra crispy bacon
- Green onions
- Shredded lettuce
- Sugar-free burger sauce
- Jalapeños
- Avocado slices
- Extra shredded cheddar (or and other kind of cheese)
Hearty Keto Cheeseburger Soup
Ingredients
- 12 oz bacon (10-15 slices) cooked and chopped
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1/2 medium onion diced
- 2 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp Hamburger Deluxe seasoning linked below in the recipe notes
- 2 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes drained
- 2 tbsp ketchup such as Primal Kitchen, no sugar or artificial sweeteners added
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cut the bacon strips into thirds for easier cooking, then cook in a skillet or saucepan over medium heat until crispy. Transfer the cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Once cooled, chop into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
- Brown the ground beef in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Drain excess grease.
- Add diced onion and garlic to the beef and cook for 3-4 minutes, until softened and fragrant.
- Stir in hamburger seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Add drained diced tomatoes, ketchup, and Dijon mustard. Stir and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add softened cream cheese, stirring frequently until fully melted into a soup.
- Add shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until smooth and fully melted.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer 5-10 minutes, until thick and creamy.
- Stir in chopped bacon (optional, save some for topping).
- Serve hot, topped with optional favorites like chopped pickles, green onions, or extra shredded cheese.
Notes
- Bacon amount is flexible – use more or less to your liking.
- I use Hamburger Deluxe seasoning and Primal Kitchen ketchup in this recipe. Feel free to use your favorites, but if you’d like to use exactly what I use, you can click here for the seasoning and click here for the ketchup. Both of these products can usually be found at Walmart as well.
- For a thinner soup, add a splash of beef broth or heavy cream.
- To reduce prep time, cook bacon ahead of time and store in the fridge.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop.
- This soup also freezes well—cool completely and store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
Final Thoughts
This keto cheeseburger soup is pure comfort in a bowl. It’s rich, flavorful, and endlessly customizable—perfect for cozy nights or weekly meal prep. Whether you’re a seasoned keto pro or just dipping your toes into low-carb eating, this soup is a must-try.
Have you made this soup yet? Let me know what toppings you added or any creative twists you tried in the comments below! And don’t forget to pin this recipe to your Low-Carb Comfort Food board so you can come back to it anytime.
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