Keto Cheeseburger Soup
There are some meals that just feel like a warm hug in a bowl, and this Keto Cheeseburger Soup is definitely one of them.
It has all the comforting flavors of a classic cheeseburger—savory ground beef, sharp cheddar, garlic, onion, and a rich, creamy broth—but without the bun or extra carbs. It’s thick, hearty, cheesy, and incredibly satisfying.
I first made this on a chilly weekend when everyone was craving cheeseburgers, but I wanted something warm and cozy instead. I had ground beef in the refrigerator and a block of cheddar in the fridge, so I decided to turn those familiar flavors into soup.
Honestly, I wasn’t sure how it would go.
But after the first spoonful, I knew I had a winner.
The broth was creamy, the beef was perfectly seasoned, and the melted cheddar gave the whole pot that unmistakable cheeseburger flavor. I topped each bowl with a little extra cheese and crispy bacon, and everyone loved it.
Now it’s one of those recipes I make whenever I want an easy comfort-food dinner without the heavy carbs.
Recipe at a Glance
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: About 40 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course / Soup
Cuisine: American
Diet: Keto / Low-Carb
Ingredients
For the Soup
1½ pounds ground beef
2 tablespoons butter
½ medium yellow onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups beef broth
1 cup heavy cream
8 ounces cream cheese, softened and cubed
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon yellow mustard
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon dried parsley
1 cup chopped cauliflower, optional
Optional Toppings
Extra shredded cheddar
Crispy cooked bacon
Chopped green onions
Fresh parsley
Diced pickles
Jalapeños
Sour cream
Cracked black pepper
How to Make Keto Cheeseburger Soup
1. Brown the Ground Beef
Heat a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat.
Add the ground beef and cook for approximately 6–8 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
Continue until the beef is browned and no longer pink.
If there’s a lot of excess grease, carefully drain some of it.
Leave a little behind for flavor.
2. Sauté the Onion and Garlic
Add the butter to the pot.
Stir in the diced onion and cook for about 3–4 minutes, until softened.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30–60 seconds, just until fragrant.
Be careful not to burn the garlic.
3. Add the Broth and Seasonings
Pour in the beef broth.
Add:
Worcestershire sauce
Mustard
Smoked paprika
Salt
Black pepper
Dried parsley
Stir everything together.
If you’re adding cauliflower, stir it in now.
Bring the soup to a gentle simmer.
4. Simmer
Reduce the heat to low.
Cover partially and simmer for approximately 10–15 minutes, or until the cauliflower is tender if using it.
If you’re skipping cauliflower, you can simply simmer for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to come together.
5. Make It Creamy
Reduce the heat to low.
Add the softened cream cheese a little at a time.
Stir continuously until it melts into the broth and creates a smooth, creamy soup.
Pour in the heavy cream and stir.
Don’t let the soup come to a rapid boil after adding the dairy.
Gentle heat helps keep the soup smooth.
6. Add the Cheddar
Gradually add the shredded cheddar, stirring after each addition.
Continue stirring until the cheese is completely melted and the soup is creamy.
Taste and adjust the seasonings.
If you want a stronger cheeseburger flavor, add a little more mustard or Worcestershire sauce.
7. Serve
Ladle the hot soup into bowls.
Top with extra shredded cheddar, crispy bacon, green onions, or diced pickles.
For me, the cheddar + bacon + pickle combination is what really makes this taste like a cheeseburger in soup form.
Serve immediately.
Why You’ll Love This Soup
Rich and creamy
Packed with ground beef
Loaded with cheddar
Keto-friendly
Low-carb
One-pot meal
Ready in about 40 minutes
Great for cold evenings
Easy to customize
Family-friendly
Perfect for leftovers
My Best Tips
Use Sharp Cheddar
Sharp cheddar gives the soup a much stronger cheese flavor.
Mild cheddar works too, but you’ll need more of it for the same intensity.
Shred Your Own Cheese
Freshly shredded cheddar generally melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese.
Many packaged shredded cheeses contain anti-caking ingredients that can affect how smoothly they melt.
Keep the Heat Low
Once you’ve added cream cheese, heavy cream, and cheddar, avoid boiling the soup.
High heat can cause dairy-based soups to separate or become grainy.
Soften the Cream Cheese
Let the cream cheese sit at room temperature for a little while before cooking.
Softened cream cheese melts much more easily.
What Makes Cheeseburger Soup Keto?
Traditional cheeseburger soup can contain potatoes, flour, milk, or other higher-carb ingredients.
This version skips those ingredients and gets its richness from:
Heavy cream
Cream cheese
Cheddar
Ground beef
Butter
The result is a hearty soup that’s naturally low in carbohydrates.
Is Keto Cheeseburger Soup Really Low-Carb?
Yes, when made with low-carb ingredients.
However, always check the labels on your beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, cream cheese, and other packaged ingredients because carbohydrate counts can vary between brands.
For an even lower-carb version, leave out the optional cauliflower.
Can I Use Ground Turkey?
Absolutely.
Ground turkey makes a lighter version of the soup.
Because turkey is leaner than beef, you may want to add an extra tablespoon of butter for richness.
Can I Use Ground Chicken?
Yes.
Ground chicken works well with the same seasonings.
The flavor will be milder, so you may want to add extra garlic, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, or smoked paprika.
Can I Use Bacon?
Absolutely.
Cook bacon separately until crispy, crumble it, and sprinkle it over each bowl.
You can also cook the bacon in the soup pot first, remove it, then brown the beef in some of the rendered bacon fat.
Save the crispy bacon for the topping.
Can I Add Pickles?
Yes—and I highly recommend it.
Diced dill pickles give the soup that unmistakable cheeseburger flavor.
Add them as a topping rather than cooking them into the entire pot so everyone can choose how much they want.
Can I Add Jalapeños?
Definitely.
Fresh or pickled jalapeños add a wonderful spicy kick.
They’re especially good with sharp cheddar and bacon.
Can I Add Cauliflower?
Yes.
Cauliflower is an excellent keto-friendly way to add extra bulk and texture.
Cut it into very small florets so it cooks quickly.
Can I Add Mushrooms?
Absolutely.
Sauté sliced mushrooms with the onions before adding the broth.
Mushrooms add an earthy flavor that works surprisingly well with cheeseburger soup.
Can I Add Spinach?
Yes.
Stir a few handfuls of baby spinach into the soup during the final few minutes.
It will wilt quickly.
Can I Add Tomatoes?
You can, although tomatoes add more carbohydrates than many traditional keto vegetables.
If you’re following a strict keto plan, use a small amount and account for the carbohydrates.
Can I Make It Spicy?
Definitely.
Try adding:
Cayenne pepper
Crushed red pepper flakes
Jalapeños
Pepper Jack cheese
Hot sauce
Chipotle powder
A little hot sauce on top is an easy way to add heat without changing the whole pot.
Can I Use Different Cheese?
Absolutely.
Try:
Colby Jack
Monterey Jack
Pepper Jack
Gouda
Swiss
Provolone
American cheese
For the most classic cheeseburger flavor, cheddar is hard to beat.
Can I Use American Cheese?
Yes.
A small amount of American cheese can actually make the soup exceptionally smooth because it melts easily.
You can combine it with cheddar for a richer cheese flavor.
Can I Make This Without Cream Cheese?
Yes.
You can increase the heavy cream and cheddar, although cream cheese gives the soup a thicker and silkier consistency.
Another option is mascarpone.
Can I Make It Dairy-Free?
It’s possible with dairy-free substitutes, although the flavor will be different.
Use dairy-free butter, cream cheese, heavy-cream alternative, and cheddar-style cheese.
Can I Make It in a Slow Cooker?
Yes.
Brown the ground beef and onions first.
Transfer them to the slow cooker with the broth and seasonings.
Cook on LOW for approximately 4–6 hours.
Add the cream cheese, heavy cream, and shredded cheddar during the final 20–30 minutes, stirring until smooth.
Don’t boil the soup after adding the dairy.
Can I Make It in an Instant Pot?
Yes.
Use the sauté function to brown the beef and onions.
Add the broth and seasonings.
Cook under pressure for a short period, then carefully release the pressure according to your appliance instructions.
Stir in the cream cheese, cream, and cheddar after pressure cooking.
Can I Make It Ahead?
Absolutely.
This soup is actually excellent for meal prep.
Make the soup, let it cool, and refrigerate it in airtight containers.
The flavors often become even better the next day.
How Long Does It Last in the Refrigerator?
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for approximately 3–4 days.
Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Can I Freeze Keto Cheeseburger Soup?
You can, but dairy-based soups can sometimes change texture after freezing and thawing.
If you plan to freeze it, consider preparing the beef and broth portion first and adding the cream cheese, cream, and cheddar after thawing and reheating.
For the best texture, fresh is always preferable.
How Do I Reheat It?
Reheat the soup gently over low to medium-low heat.
Stir frequently.
If it becomes too thick, add a splash of beef broth or heavy cream.
Avoid boiling.
What Should I Serve With Cheeseburger Soup?
Because this soup is already hearty, you don’t need much on the side.
Keto-Friendly Sides
Simple green salad
Roasted broccoli
Cauliflower bites
Keto garlic bread
Zucchini fries
Crispy cheese chips
Avocado salad
Classic Cheeseburger-Inspired Toppings
Set out bowls of:
Shredded cheddar
Bacon
Pickles
Green onions
Jalapeños
Sour cream
Let everyone build their own bowl.
Can I Turn This Into a Bacon Cheeseburger Soup?
Absolutely.
Add crispy bacon to the finished soup and use bacon grease to brown the beef.
Then top each bowl with even more bacon.
It’s indulgent, but incredibly delicious.
Can I Make a Mushroom Swiss Version?
Yes!
Replace some of the cheddar with Swiss cheese and sauté mushrooms with the onions.
The result tastes like a mushroom Swiss burger in soup form.
Can I Make a Jalapeño Popper Version?
Definitely.
Use Pepper Jack cheese, add diced jalapeños, and finish the soup with crispy bacon and a little cream cheese.
It’s rich, spicy, and wonderfully comforting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my cheeseburger soup grainy?
The heat may have been too high when the cheese was added.
Keep the temperature low and add the cheese gradually.
Freshly shredded cheese can also help.
Why isn’t my soup thick enough?
Allow it to simmer gently for a few extra minutes, or add a little more cream cheese.
Remember that the soup will also thicken slightly as it cools.
Can I thicken it without flour?
Yes.
Cream cheese is an excellent thickener for this soup.
You can also use a small amount of xanthan gum if you’re comfortable using it, but add it very carefully because a little goes a long way.
Why did my cheese separate?
The soup was probably too hot.
Once dairy and cheese are added, keep the heat low and avoid boiling.
Can I make it without cauliflower?
Absolutely.
The cauliflower is completely optional.
The soup is delicious without it.
Can I use pre-cooked ground beef?
Yes.
If you have leftover cooked ground beef, simply skip the browning step and continue with the onions, broth, and seasonings.
Approximate Nutrition
Per serving, assuming 6 servings and excluding optional toppings:
Calories: approximately 520
Protein: approximately 30g
Fat: approximately 41g
Carbohydrates: approximately 7g
Fiber: approximately 1g
Net Carbohydrates: approximately 6g
Nutrition is an estimate and will vary depending on the ground beef, cheese, cream cheese, broth, and other ingredients used.
Final Thoughts
This Keto Cheeseburger Soup is one of those recipes that makes a regular weeknight feel a little more special.
I love that it takes something as familiar as a cheeseburger and turns it into a warm bowl of comfort food.
The ground beef gives the soup a hearty base, the cream cheese makes it silky and rich, and the cheddar brings that classic cheeseburger flavor. Then you can have fun with the toppings.
A little crispy bacon.
Some diced dill pickles.
Extra cheddar.
Maybe a few jalapeños if you’re feeling adventurous.
I especially love putting all the toppings on the table and letting everyone customize their own bowl.
It’s also one of those dinners that tastes even better the next day. The flavors have time to mingle, and all you need to do is gently reheat it for an easy lunch or dinner.
Whether you’re following keto or simply looking for a cozy low-carb meal, this soup is hearty enough to stand on its own.
And if you’re making it for a family, I highly recommend having extra cheddar and bacon ready.
Because nobody ever complains about too many cheeseburger toppings.