When you’re on a keto diet, finding meals that hit the spot without kicking you out of ketosis can be tricky. But this Keto Loaded Cheeseburger & Bacon Soup? It’s a game-changer. Think about the best part of a cheeseburger—juicy beef, crispy bacon, melted cheese—now imagine all of that in a rich, creamy soup. That’s what we’re making today. It’s hearty, satisfying, and perfect for those cold nights when you just want a warm bowl of something amazing.
This soup is ridiculously easy to make, uses simple ingredients, and is packed with flavor. Plus, it’s super filling while keeping your carbs low, so you won’t find yourself reaching for snacks an hour later.
Let’s get cooking.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Most of these are probably already in your kitchen, and if not, a quick grocery run will have you set in no time.
For the Soup:
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 for best flavor)
- 6 slices bacon (crispy and chopped)
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 oz cream cheese (cubed, room temp)
- 1 tsp mustard (yellow or Dijon)
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
For Toppings (Optional but Highly Recommended):
- Extra shredded cheddar
- Chopped green onions
- Sour cream
- Diced pickles
- Crumbled bacon
Step-By-Step Cooking Instructions
1. Cook the Bacon
Start by cooking your bacon in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. You want it crispy, so don’t rush this part. Once done, remove it and let it drain on a paper towel. Leave a little bacon grease in the pot—this is going to add so much flavor to the soup.
2. Brown the Ground Beef
In the same pot, add the ground beef. Cook until it’s browned and no longer pink, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks. Drain excess grease if there’s too much, but leave a little for flavor.
3. Sauté the Onion and Garlic
Toss in the diced onion and cook for about 2 minutes until it softens. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. You don’t want the garlic to burn, so keep stirring.
4. Add the Spices and Flavor Boosters
Now comes the fun part—seasoning! Stir in the mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if you’re using them. Let these cook for about a minute to wake up the flavors.
5. Pour in the Beef Broth
Slowly pour in the beef broth while stirring, making sure everything is mixed well. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes to blend all the flavors together.
6. Add the Cream Cheese
Drop in the cubed cream cheese and let it melt, stirring occasionally. It might look a little lumpy at first, but just keep stirring—it will smooth out.
7. Pour in the Heavy Cream
Once the cream cheese is fully melted, slowly add the heavy cream while stirring. This is where the soup starts getting rich and creamy.
8. Melt the Cheddar Cheese
Turn the heat down to low and gradually stir in the shredded cheddar. Keep stirring until it’s completely melted and smooth. If the heat is too high, the cheese can get clumpy, so go slow.
9. Add the Bacon
Crumble the crispy bacon and stir it into the soup, saving a little for garnish.
10. Simmer and Serve
Let the soup simmer for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. If it’s too thick, add a little more broth. If it’s too thin, let it simmer longer.
Ladle it into bowls and top with extra cheese, green onions, sour cream, diced pickles, or whatever else you love on a cheeseburger.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s Keto-Friendly – Every spoonful is loaded with fat and protein while keeping carbs in check.
- Super Filling – A bowl of this will keep you satisfied for hours.
- Easy to Make – No fancy techniques, just simple cooking.
- Customizable – Add jalapeños for spice, swap cheddar for pepper jack, or throw in some mushrooms.
What to Serve With It
Even though this soup is a meal on its own, sometimes you want a little something on the side. Here are some keto-friendly ideas:
- Chaffle (Cheese Waffle) – A crispy, cheesy low-carb waffle that makes the perfect dunker.
- Keto Garlic Bread – Made with almond flour and mozzarella, it’s the next best thing to regular bread.
- Zucchini Fries – Crunchy, cheesy, and perfect for dipping.
- Side Salad – A fresh salad with ranch dressing balances out the richness.
Storage and Reheating Tips
This soup stores well, so don’t worry about leftovers.
Fridge:
Keep it in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stove over low heat, stirring often.
Freezer:
It freezes well for up to 3 months. Just let it cool completely before storing in freezer-safe containers. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Reheating Tips:
Since it’s a cheese-based soup, it can get thick when stored. Add a little beef broth or cream while reheating to bring it back to the right consistency.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even easy recipes can go sideways if you’re not careful. Here are a few things to watch out for:
- High Heat and Cheese Don’t Mix – Always melt cheese on low heat to avoid a grainy texture.
- Too Much Bacon Grease – A little is good for flavor, but too much can make the soup overly greasy. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Skipping the Spices – Don’t leave out the mustard and Worcestershire sauce. They add that classic cheeseburger taste.
- Not Stirring Enough – Cream cheese takes time to melt smoothly. Be patient and stir well.
Conclusion
This Keto Loaded Cheeseburger & Bacon Soup is one of those recipes you’ll make again and again. It’s rich, cheesy, smoky from the bacon, and has all the flavors of a great cheeseburger without the bun. Whether you’re doing keto or just want a comforting meal, this soup delivers every time.
Try it out, and let me know how you customize it to make it your own!
PrintKeto Loaded Cheeseburger & Bacon Soup
This Keto Loaded Cheeseburger & Bacon Soup is rich, creamy, and packed with all the flavors of a classic cheeseburger without the carbs! Juicy ground beef, crispy bacon, melted cheddar, and a savory broth come together in this easy low-carb comfort food. Perfect for meal prep and family dinners, this keto soup will keep you full and satisfied!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course, Dinner. lunch
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Keto, Low-Carb
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
- 6 slices bacon (crispy, chopped)
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 oz cream cheese (cubed, room temp)
- 1 tsp mustard (yellow or Dijon)
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
For Toppings (Optional):
- Extra shredded cheddar
- Chopped green onions
- Sour cream
- Diced pickles
- Crumbled bacon
Instructions
- Cook the Bacon – In a large pot over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove and set aside, leaving some grease in the pot.
- Brown the Beef – In the same pot, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Sauté Onion & Garlic – Add the diced onion and cook for 2 minutes until soft. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Add Seasonings & Broth – Stir in mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Pour in the beef broth and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Melt the Cream Cheese – Drop in the cubed cream cheese and stir until fully melted and smooth.
- Add Heavy Cream & Cheddar – Slowly pour in the heavy cream while stirring. Turn the heat to low and gradually mix in the shredded cheddar until melted.
- Add the Bacon & Simmer – Stir in the crispy bacon, saving some for garnish. Let the soup simmer for 5 more minutes.
- Serve & Top – Ladle into bowls and add your favorite toppings like extra cheese, green onions, sour cream, and diced pickles.
Notes
- For a thicker soup, let it simmer longer or add a little xanthan gum.
- If it gets too thick when reheating, add a splash of broth or cream.
- Customize the spice level by adding jalapeños or extra red pepper flakes.
- Use freshly shredded cheese for the best texture—it melts better than pre-shredded cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 Sugar: 2g Sodium: 900mg Fat: 38g Saturated Fat: 20g Unsaturated Fat: 14g Trans Fat: 0g Carbohydrates: 6g Fiber: 1g Protein: 22g Cholesterol: 95mg