Thirty minutes is all you need to have this comforting keto cheeseburger soup on your dinner table. This soup tastes just like a cheeseburger and uses cream cheese and cheddar cheese to make it creamy, pickles for a tangy bite, and of course, bacon!

Everyone loves a good cheeseburger, but when you're following a keto eating plan, the bun is a big no no (unless it's keto, of course). My family loves soup and this keto cheeseburger soup with bacon and pickles is perfect for a busy weeknight because it is ready in about 30 minutes. It is super hearty with the hamburger, cheese, and bacon.
We're talking about keto comfort food here and I cannot get enough. More recipes that will give you all the comforting vibes are Creamy Lemon Chicken Thighs, Creamy Garlic Chicken, and my Keto Burger Bowl.
Ingredients needed
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for this keto cheeseburger soup recipe, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For a printable recipe, see the recipe card below.
8 slices bacon (diced) - This is for the topping so you can use your favorite bacon here. I like to use a thick cut bacon just because it's so delicious!
1 pound (500g) ground beef - I like to use a leaner ground beef, such as 93% lean, so there isn't any grease to drain. It is a more expensive cut, but you're left with more meat in your soup and no need to throw out the fat. If you want a soup without red meat, you can use ground turkey. You can also reduce the calories if you use 99% fat free ground turkey of chicken.
½ cup diced onion (about 1 small onion) - This keto cheeseburger soup recipe uses any onion that you have laying around. White or yellow works fine. You can also buy already diced onion in the freezer section of the grocery store. That is my personal favorite!
8 ounces (226g) cream cheese
Kosher salt and pepper
1 tablespoon tomato paste - This really gives that American cheeseburger flavor!
2 cups beef broth - I know soups tend to usually have more broth than this, but I really wanted this keto bacon cheeseburger soup recipe to be nice and thick. You can use low sodium or just plain beef broth. You can also use beef bone broth for more nutrients.
1 ½ cups (150g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese - I always use store bought pre-shredded cheese for this keto cheeseburger soup, but feel free to shred your own!
Chopped pickles for garnish - I like to use sliced cornichons or if I'm in a pinch, any pickle will do! This ingredient is essential in my mind! It really drives home that cheeseburger soup flavor!
How to make keto cheeseburger soup
This section explains how to make this low carb cheeseburger soup recipe step by step. For a full printable recipe, see the recipe card below.
Step 1 - I like to cook my diced bacon in the pot before I make my keto cheeseburger soup to cut down on dishes. Cook it over medium heat on the stove top until it is crisp then remove the bacon grease from the pan. This usually takes about 8-10 minutes. To cut down on cooking time, you can cook the bacon in a separate skillet while the soup is cooking.
Step 2 - You can see in the step by step instruction photos, we start with cooking our base of onion and ground beef over medium heat until the onions are soft and the ground beef is browned and crumbled.
Step 3 - Chop the cream cheese into smaller pieces so it melts into the ground beef easier. Stir the ground beef and cream cheese combo until the cream cheese is completely melted.
Step 4 - Stir in the seasoning and the tomato paste until it is fully incorporated.
Step 5 - Stir in the beef broth. Stir for a few minutes to get all of the ingredients to meld together.
Step 6 - Stir in your shredded cheddar cheese. This will take a few minutes to melt. When it is completely melted into your keto cheeseburger soup, it's done! No need to simmer this keto soup recipe.
Step 7 - Ladle the soup into bowls and top with the crispy bacon and pickles.
Can this keto cheeseburger soup be made in a slow cooker?
Yes. Brown your meat with your onions (season with salt and pepper to taste) and add them to the slow cooker. Now add in your broth, cream cheese, and tomato paste. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-7 hours. Stir in the cheddar cheese before serving.
Storage, reheating, and freezing
- Storage - This keto cheeseburger soup will keep in an air tight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. You can also divide it into 5 equal size air tight containers for meal pre.
- Reheating - This soup reheats really well in the microwave. Place in a microwave safe bowl and heat on high for 1 - 2 minutes or until heated through. Alternatively, you can heat in a small saucepan over medium heat until heated through.
- Freezing - with all of the dairy in this soup, I do not recommend freezing it.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of pots do you use for soups? I like to use a 6 quart dutch oven for soups and stews. a Dutch oven is just a fancy name for a cast iron pot with a lid that has an enamel coating. I prefer the ones that have a black coating on the inside as opposed to an enamel coating on the inside.
Why isn't my cream cheese melting into the beef? It probably just needs more time. This step can take about 10 minutes.
Can I use ground turkey instead of beef? Definitely! Ground turkey or even ground chicken would work perfectly in this recipe.
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Keto Cheeseburger Soup with Bacon Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ Cup diced onion (about 1 small onion)
- 1 Pound Ground Beef
- kosher salt and pepper
- 8 Ounces Cream Cheese
- 1 Tablespoon Tomato Paste
- 2 Cups Beef broth
- 1 ½ Cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 8 Slices Bacon, diced
- Chopped pickles for topping
Instructions
- In a large heavy bottom pot, add in the diced onion and ground beef. Saute until the ground beef is cooked through and crumbled. About 8 minutes. Drain off any remaining grease in the pot and discard or save for later cooking.
- While the ground beef is cooking, in a seperate skillet cook the diced bacon until it is crispy. Drain on paper towels and set aside.
- Add in the cream cheese to the ground beef and stir until melted and incorporated. Stir in the tomato paste.
- Stir in the beef broth and the cheddar cheese. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve the soup in bowls topped with crispy bacon and chopped pickles.
Jennifer's tips
- Nutrition - This recipe makes 5 cups and a serving is 1 cup. Â The nutrition was calculated assuming each slice of bacon was 80 calories each.
- Slow cooker instructions - Brown your meat with your onions (season with salt and pepper to taste) and add them to the slow cooker.  Now add in your broth, cream cheese, and tomato paste.  Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-7 hours.  Stir in the cheddar cheese before serving.
- Pickles - The pickles I used were sliced Cornichons. Â You can see what I am talking about by checking them out on Amazon here. You can use any dill pickles you like, though.
- Storage - This soup will keep in an air tight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Â You can also divide it into 5 equal size air tight containers for meal prep. Â
- Reheating - This soup reheats really well in the microwave. Â Place in a microwave safe bowl and heat on high for 1 - 2 minutes or until heated through. Â Alternatively, you can heat in a small saucepan over medium heat until heated through.
- Freezing - with all of the dairy in this soup, I do not recommend freezing it.
Nutrition per serving
Nutrition is provided as a courtesy only. Please re-calculate on your own with the ingredients and amounts you used for the most accurate data.
Cindy says
Made this last night. It’s a keeper, very good!
Sue says
This was so quick and easy and tastes AMAZING!! Definitely a must try!
Brandy says
Not a big fan of ground beef. How do you think it would be with ground Turkey or chicken? Would I need to do anything special to do that?
jenniferbanz says
Should work just fine with just substituting the turkey or chicken
Stephanie W says
BEST soup ever! The slow cooker method works great during our sports season and can't eat dinner until almost 8 on game days. Plus, it is so hard to find something that both my kids like at the same time but this was a win-win! Going into my regular rotation.
Stephanie W says
To add on...my kids are now complaining that I don't make this soup enough. I am trying to try the other soups on this site, like leftover steak soup, and they are sad that it is not the cheeseburger soup. They would eat this every week if they were given a choice.
Jill Nern says
The whole family loved this soup. The pickles and bacon made it over the top!
Erica says
Can you freeze this soup? Have you? Just wondering if it would taste as good.....I have made this before it’s great!
Thanks!
Erica
jenniferbanz says
I wouldn't recommend freezing this soup because of the dairy content
SUSIE YORK says
I made this for a second time and my husband and I really enjoyed it again. The dill pickle is a nice crunch and adds a little zip to the taste.
SUSIE YORK says
My husband and I really enjoyed this soup. I plan to make it again.
Bron says
Omg ? I loved it ! Definitely on my list to do more often !
Aunt JoJo says
Didn’t change a thing. This is crazy good and perfect for a cold winter night. Ready in 30 minutes as advertised!
Jo says
Wait....cheeseburger soup!!! Woah! That is brilliant. I haven't tried cheeseburger soup at all, and I'm so excited to give it a try. It looks yummy!
Kathryn says
This sounds like such a fun recipe!! Love the cheeseburger flavors without the extra carbs from a bun.
Jenni LeBaron says
This keto bacon cheeseburger soup looks so delicious and creamy! Perfect way to enjoy cheeseburger flavors without the carb-filled bun and wonderful for this cold winter weather!
Misssy says
Can you use chicken broth instead?
jenniferbanz says
Sure!
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says
I am crushing HARD on this soup! Seriously, this sounds absolutely incredible! And I LOVE the pickles addition!
Denise says
What a delicious sounding soup! This is one that I have to try, I can only imagine how good it is.
Veronika says
This soup looks so delicious and comforting! It's perfect for a cold day like today! Saving the recipe!
Aleta says
What a great idea! I love hamburger soup but this sounds so creamy and crunchy with the cream cheese and bacon. Can't wait to try this version!
Danielle says
I always decide between my favorite soup and my favorite cheeseburger when it comes to the flavors I enjoy. This recipe is the perfect solution to it all - fantastic idea!
Bernice Hill says
What a great idea! I'm always looking for satisfying soups that don't take forever to cook. Pinning for later.
Ben says
That sounds delicious. I love recipes like this that are easy and won't derail what I'm trying to do with my more healthy eating.
Amber says
You had me at bacon cheeseburger... I was super excited to click on this recipe and check it out! My family is going to adore this soup and I love that it only requires a few, easy to find ingredients.
Alisha Rodrigues says
I love the texture of this soup. Looks creamy and delicious. Need to make some for dinner this week, I'm sure the family would love it
Jennifer Wehrman says
I made this for supper tonight and it was a hit. Very easy, very filling and taste just like a bacon cheeseburger. Delicious.