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slow cooker bacon soup

Section: Comforting Soups and Hearty Stews

This slow-cooked bacon cheeseburger soup brings together savory ground beef, crispy bacon, tender potatoes, and creamy pepper-jack cheese for a comforting, flavor-packed bowl. Easy to make in a slow cooker or on the stovetop, it's an ideal dish for cold days or when you want something warm and hearty. Options include using frozen hash browns or cooked rice, and it's adaptable for gluten-free diets. Garnish with green onions for an extra touch.

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Recipe Author Maria
Updated as of Thu, 19 Jun 2025 22:28:58 GMT
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A bowl of soup with bacon and cheese. | foodbymary.com

Slow Cooker Bacon Cheeseburger Soup is loaded with potatoes, ground beef, cheese and of course bacon! This amazing soup is full of flavor and every soup lovers dream!

If you remember my Crock Pot Cheeseburger Soup then you are going to LOVE this Bacon Cheeseburger Soup recipe! Not only did I add crispy bacon to it, but I also replaced the cheddar cheese with pepper-jack cheese and topped it off with green onion. It didn’t make it spicy, but it made it extra delicious!

The temps have dropped where I live so it has been COLD! We may even see some snow here which is rare. When it’s this cold all I want to do is curl up on my couch with a blanket, and have a warm bowl of bacon cheeseburger soup! This soup is so comforting and filling.

I received quite a bit of questions and comments on my Crock Pot Cheeseburger Soup recipe, so I thought I would include the answers to be helpful in case you might need them.

Frozen Hash Browns and Rice options

You can use either! For hash browns use a 1-pound bag of frozen hash browns. I suggest adding the frozen hash browns when you would add the regular potatoes at the beginning.

You can also use 2 to 3 cups cooked rice to replace the potatoes. I add in cooked rice at the time I add in the cooked ground beef. I have tried this recipe once with rice and it was delicious!

Am I able to make this on the stovetop?

Yes, you can definitely make this wonderful Bacon Cheeseburger Soup on the stovetop. Using a large pot, add potatoes, onion, carrots, basil, parsley and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then simmer together until potatoes are tender. Then you can resume the recipe as written.

Gluten Free Adjustments

This bacon cheeseburger soup recipe can be made gluten-free with a few adjustments. Replace the all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour. You can even use almond milk to replace the cow’s milk as one reader did. She said it was delicious! *Always be sure to read labels on all ingredients when needing to watch gluten in your diet.*

Ingredients

  • Ground beef: 1 pound
  • Bacon: 6 slices, chopped
  • Potatoes: 4 cups, diced
  • Pepper-jack cheese: 1 cup, shredded
  • Onion: 1/2 cup, chopped
  • Carrots: 1/2 cup, chopped
  • Dried basil: 1 teaspoon
  • Dried parsley: 1 teaspoon
  • Chicken broth: 4 cups
  • Milk: 1/2 cup
  • All-purpose flour: 1/4 cup
  • Butter: 1/4 cup, unsalted
  • Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
  • Black pepper: 1/4 teaspoon
  • Green onion: 1/4 cup, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

Grease slow cooker:
Grease the insert of your slow cooker.
Add vegetables and broth:
Add potatoes, onion, carrots, basil, and parsley to slow cooker. Pour chicken broth over the top. Cover with lid.
Cook base:
Cook on low heat for 6 to 7 hours or on high heat for 3 to 4 hours.
Prepare meats:
When about an hour is left, cook ground beef and bacon in separate pans until browned and crisp.
Make cheese mixture:
In a saucepan, melt butter and whisk in flour. Slowly add milk, stirring until thickened. Mix in shredded cheese until melted.
Combine and finish:
Add cooked meat and cheese sauce to the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low heat or warm setting for 30 minutes until heated through and cheese is melted.
Serve:
Serve in individual bowls topped with chopped green onion.
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A spoon is in a bowl of soup. | foodbymary.com

Consigli da Professionista

Test different cheeses or toppings like pickles or mustard drizzle to customize flavor to your liking.

A close up of a bowl of soup with a spoon in it. Bookmark
A close up of a bowl of soup with a spoon in it. | foodbymary.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use frozen hash browns instead of potatoes?

Yes, a 1-pound bag of frozen hash browns can be added at the same time as you would add regular potatoes. They cook well in the slow cooker.

→ How can I make this soup gluten-free?

Use gluten-free flour in place of all-purpose flour, and substitute almond milk if desired. Always check ingredient labels for gluten content.

→ Is there a stovetop option?

Yes, you can make it on the stovetop by simmering potatoes, vegetables, and broth in a large pot until tender, then adding the cooked meat and cheese.

→ Can I substitute rice for potatoes?

Yes, use 2 to 3 cups of cooked rice added when you incorporate the ground beef. It changes the texture slightly but still tastes delicious.

→ What toppings go well with this soup?

Chopped green onions, shredded cheese, or even a drizzle of sour cream are great finishing touches for added flavor and texture.

slow cooker bacon soup

Warm and hearty soup with bacon, beef, potatoes, and cheese for ultimate cold weather comfort.

Prep Time
20 minutes
Cooking Time
420 minutes
Overall Time
440 minutes
Recipe Author: Maria

Dish Category: Soups & Stews

Recipe Difficulty: Beginner-Friendly

Cuisine: American

Serves: 6 Serving Size (1 large slow cooker batch)

Dietary Options: ~

What You’ll Need to Cook

→ Main Ingredients

Ingredient 01 1 pound ground beef
Ingredient 02 6 slices bacon, chopped
Ingredient 03 4 cups diced potatoes
Ingredient 04 1 cup shredded pepper-jack cheese
Ingredient 05 1/2 cup chopped onion
Ingredient 06 1/2 cup chopped carrots
Ingredient 07 1 teaspoon dried basil
Ingredient 08 1 teaspoon dried parsley
Ingredient 09 4 cups chicken broth
Ingredient 10 1/2 cup milk
Ingredient 11 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Ingredient 12 1/4 cup unsalted butter
Ingredient 13 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Ingredient 14 1/2 teaspoon salt
Ingredient 15 1/4 cup chopped green onion, for garnish

→ Optional Substitutes

Ingredient 16 1 pound frozen hash browns (instead of potatoes)
Ingredient 17 2 to 3 cups cooked rice (instead of potatoes)
Ingredient 18 1/2 cup almond milk (instead of cow's milk)
Ingredient 19 1/4 cup gluten-free flour (instead of all-purpose flour)

Steps to Prepare

Step 01

Grease the insert of a 7-quart slow cooker. Add diced potatoes, onion, carrots, basil, and parsley. Pour chicken broth over vegetables and cover.

Step 02

Cook on low heat for 6 to 7 hours or on high heat for 3 to 4 hours, until vegetables are tender.

Step 03

In the last hour of cooking, brown ground beef in a skillet until fully cooked. In a separate pan, cook chopped bacon until crisp.

Step 04

In a saucepan, melt butter and whisk in flour. Slowly stir in milk and cook until thickened. Add shredded pepper-jack cheese and stir until melted.

Step 05

Add cooked beef, bacon, cheese sauce, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker. Stir well to combine. Cook on low for an additional 30 minutes.

Step 06

Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with chopped green onions before serving.

Extra Cooking Tips

  1. Frozen hash browns can replace fresh potatoes; add at the beginning of cooking.
  2. Cooked rice is a great alternative to potatoes and should be added with the beef.
  3. Cheddar cheese can be used instead of pepper-jack for a milder flavor.
  4. Always check labels for gluten when making dietary adjustments.

Must-Have Tools

  • Slow cooker (7-quart capacity)
  • Large skillet
  • Saucepan
  • Wooden spoon
  • Ladle

Allergen Information

Always check ingredient labels for allergens and seek expert advice if uncertain.
  • Contains dairy (milk, cheese, butter)
  • Contains gluten (flour, unless using gluten-free alternative)

Nutrition Info (Per Serving)

These details are for guidance and aren’t a replacement for professional advice.
  • Calories Count: 450
  • Fats: 28 grams
  • Carbs: 28 grams
  • Proteins: 22 grams