11 Best Herbs and Spices For Hamburger Soup

Looking to take your hamburger soup from ordinary to extraordinary?

The secret lies in the seasoning!

This collection brings together my favorite herbs and spices for making a truly standout dish.

I promise, these flavor boosters will have you looking forward to dinner every time.

Read Also: Hamburger Wine Pairing: The Best Wines for Hamburgers

1. Oregano

Oregano has a bold, pungent flavor that is composed of earthy/musty, green, hay, and minty notes.

It can be used to give any dish an extra boost of flavor – whether it’s pizza, soup, or pasta sauce!

When adding oregano to dishes like hamburger soup, start with a small amount and taste it as you go.

A general rule of thumb is about 1 teaspoon for every 4 servings.

Depending on your own personal preference though, you may need more or less oregano in order to achieve the desired flavor.

In terms of what pairs well with oregano – garlic and onion are great ingredients to add alongside oregano as they bring out its bold flavors even more.

Other spices that harmonize nicely with oregano include basil, parsley, and thyme.

2. Thyme

Thyme is a great addition to any recipe as it has such a subtle flavor that adds complexity without overpowering the other ingredients.

When adding thyme to your hamburger soup, you should use 1/2 teaspoon per cup of liquid.

If you find that this amount isn’t enough for your taste, feel free to add more!

Thyme pairs very well with parsley, oregano, rosemary, and garlic in particular.

These flavors will complement the flavor of the beef nicely and bring out notes of sweetness in each ingredient.

You can also pair thyme with onions for an extra layer of flavor in your soup as well!

3. Parsley

Parsley has a clean and peppery taste with a hint of earthiness, making it ideal for adding flavor to any dish.

Its delicate flavor is great for enhancing the other flavors in the recipe without overpowering them.

For most recipes, you should use about one tablespoon of chopped parsley per serving.

This amount gives your dishes a nice balance of flavor without being too overwhelming.

Parsley pairs well with many ingredients, including garlic, onion, tomatoes, potatoes, fish, and poultry.

It can be used in everything from soups to salads and pasta dishes to meats like hamburgers!

Parsley is also commonly used as a garnish or topping on many dishes such as pizza or tacos.

4. Bay Leaves

Bay leaves have a subtle minty flavor, with hints of black pepper and pine.

They are usually added to soups, stews, and sauces for their depth of flavor.

When cooked into water or broth, the bay leaf‘s flavor will become even more pronounced.

When adding bay leaves to your soup, the amount you use depends on how much liquid is in the recipe.

For every two cups of cooking liquid (like water or broth), add one whole bay leaf. If using ground bay leaves, use half as much – that is 1/4 teaspoon for every two cups of cooking liquid.

After about 10 minutes of simmering with the lid off the pot (or after 15-20 minutes with it on), remove the bay leaf before serving!

Bay leaves can pair surprisingly well with other herbs and spices like oregano, thyme, garlic powder, or onion powder – just make sure none overpower each other!

5. Italian Seasoning

Italian seasoning definitely adds a special something to your cooking!

The mix of herbs including oregano, thyme, rosemary, basil, and marjoram has an earthy flavor that’s subtly sweet and peppery with a hint of pine.

Adding Italian seasoning to your soup will really take it from ordinary to extraordinary.

Start by adding 1 teaspoon for every 4 cups of soup.

You can always add more if you want the flavor to be stronger.

Italian seasoning pairs well with many ingredients such as beef, tomatoes, potatoes, mushrooms, or cheese.

Its flavor complements these ingredients perfectly and helps bring out their true taste in any dish!

6. Dried Basil

Dried basil has a savory flavor profile that is more concentrated than fresh basil.

It has a peppery and slightly sweet taste, with hints of anise and mint.

This makes it the perfect ingredient to take your hamburger soup from ordinary to extraordinary!

When using dried basil in cooking, you should use about 1/4 teaspoon for every cup of liquid.

If you want the full flavor of the herb without making your dish too salty, add it near the end of cooking so that its distinctive aroma isn’t lost during simmering or boiling.

Dried basil pairs well with other herbs like oregano, thyme, rosemary, and garlic powder.

You can also mix it with diced onion and bell peppers for added flavor.

Cheese is another great option – think feta or Parmesan – as they both bring out the herby notes in dried basil perfectly!

7. Salt

Salt is one of the most important ingredients in cooking and baking as it adds flavor to dishes.

Its taste can be described as savory, or a slightly bitter and sharp flavor.

When seasoning soup, you should start with 1 teaspoon at a time and gradually add more until you reach the desired taste.

It’s best to go light on the salt when starting out; you can always add more if needed.

Salt pairs well with all sorts of ingredients including garlic, lemons, onions, herbs like thyme and oregano, spices such as cumin and chili powder, tomatoes, carrots, and celery.

8. Black Pepper

Black pepper has a sharp, penetrating aroma and a characteristic woody, piney flavor.

It is hot and biting to taste.

When adding black pepper to your food, it adds an extra layer of complexity that can take the dish from ordinary to extraordinary!

When making soup, I recommend adding 1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper per quart of liquid used in the recipe.

This will provide just enough heat and flavor without overpowering the other ingredients.

Black pepper goes well with many different ingredients such as garlic, onions, tomatoes, avocados, olive oil, and lemon juice which are all common ingredients found in hamburger soup recipes.

You can also add herbs like basil or oregano for a more complex flavor profile.

By seasoning your dishes with fresh black pepper you’ll discover new flavors each time you make them!

9. Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper has a distinct flavor that can be described as hot and fiery on the taste buds.

It has a mild aroma, but is quite potent in terms of heat levels.

A little goes a long way when it comes to cayenne pepper; you should only add small amounts at a time while cooking.

When making hamburger soup, I recommend adding 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne for every 32 oz of soup.

This will create just enough heat without overpowering the other flavors.

Cayenne pairs exceptionally well with garlic, onions, oregano, paprika, and thyme – all great ingredients to include in your hamburger soup!

10. Garlic Powder

Garlic powder is a great way to give your hamburger soup an extra punch of flavor.

It’s best to start with about a teaspoon, taste the soup and adjust from there if needed.

You can also mix garlic powder with other herbs and spices like oregano, parsley, onion powder, cumin, or chili powder for even more flavor.

Garlic powder pairs especially well with ingredients that are high in fat such as butter, cheese, and cream-based soups.

11. Onion Powder

Onion powder adds a depth of flavor to any dish.

It has a strong and pungent taste, similar to that of a fresh onion but with more punch and intensity.

The flavor is sharp yet sweet, bringing out the best in your favorite recipes!

Onion powder pairs well with other ingredients like garlic, paprika, thyme, oregano, rosemary, cumin, chili powder, and salt.

You can mix these together to create your own custom seasoning blend or simply use them separately depending on the recipe you’re making.

When it comes to adding onion powder to soup specifically; start by adding one tablespoon per liter of hamburger soup.

Taste as you go until you reach your desired flavor level.

Remember that too much onion powder can overpower the other flavors in the soup so be sure not to add too much at once!

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