Dementia-Friendly Hamburger Soup with Cream of Mushroom

Jump to Recipe

Hamburger soup is a meal that definitely says ‘caregiver friendly’. It is delicious, soft, filling, and good for the whole family, including people with dementia.

What is Hamburger Soup?

Hamburger soup is a simple, hearty soup made with ground meat, vegetables, and broth. We call it “hamburger” soup because it traditionally uses ground beef. It is classic comfort food.

Why does this work for a person with dementia?

This soup has many advantages for people with dementia.

• It is naturally soft, which helps if chewing is hard.
• If swallowing is difficult, you can puree it smoothly without losing flavour or nutrition.
• Many older adults grew up with soups and stews, so this would feel more familiar.
• It is filling and includes protein and vegetables, which makes it a great choice the whole family can share.

Can hamburger soup be healthy?

Yes, hamburger soup can be very healthy. This recipe is balanced and nutritious, and as with many soups, this soup is an easy way to include extra vegetables. Here’s how I’ve adapted the recipe to be both comforting and good for you:

Replaced the beef with turkey

This makes it a healthier choice for the whole family. In the chart below you can compare the nutrition of lean ground beef and ground turkey:

Ground Beef vs Ground turkey (1)

Nutrient	Lean Ground Beef (3 oz or 90 g)	Ground Turkey (3 oz or 90 g)
Calories	186	131
Protein (g)	18	17
Total Fat (g)	12	6.5
Saturated fat (g)	5	2

• Total and saturated fat: Ground turkey contains half the fat and less than half the saturated fat of lean ground beef. Reducing saturated fat and replacing it with healthier fats can lower LDL cholesterol and reduce cardiovascular disease risk (2). This means this is a better choice for the whole family.
• Less red meat: Health authorities often recommend choosing lean meats and preferring poultry or lean white meat over red meat (or limiting red meat) for heart health (3)

• Protein: Ground turkey has almost as much protein as lean ground beef, which supports muscle. This matters for older adults who need more protein to help maintain muscle, and those with dementia who may eat less overall (4). If your loved one with dementia isn’t eating much, look at the recipe to see how to add even more calories and protein!

This recipe is low sodium

Many soups are high in sodium. Too much sodium raises blood pressure and the risk of stroke and heart disease. Almost everyone eats more salt than they need. Lowering sodium in home cooking is one of the simplest ways to reduce overall sodium and support heart health (5). If a lower-sodium meal is not something that is important to you, you can add  salt in the recipe or at the table for extra flavour.

It is full of vegetables

Soup makes it easy to include vegetables for more fibre, vitamins, and minerals.

• This soup is a balanced meal that is full of vegetables.
• If you want to add more vegetables, you can!
  • Frozen vegetables are an economical way to add vegetables
  • Softer vegetable options include:
    • Zucchini
    • Parsnips, as a different flavour to carrots
    • Squash, as an added root vegetable

How to Make Hamburger Soup with Turkey

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 pounds ground turkey
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup (10.5 oz)
• 1/2 cup milk
• 6 cups low sodium beef broth (to make this soup low sodium)
• 3 large potatoes, cut into large cubes
• 2 cups frozen vegetables
• 2 teaspoons dried basil leaves
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried parsley leaves
• Salt to taste (if the soup does not need to be low sodium)

Instructions

• Add vegetable oil to a large pot over medium heat.
• Cook the turkey.
  • Add lean ground turkey to pot, and break it up with a spoon as it cooks. Cook until no pink remains. Remove the pot from the heat.
• Soften the aromatics.
  • Place a frying pan on the burner and add the rest of the oil to the pan. Add the onion and cook until transparent, or if you like a deeper flavour, let it turn lightly brown and caramelized. Add minced garlic and cook about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
• Combine.
  • Return the pot with the cooked turkey to the burner. Add the cooked onion and garlic. Stir well.
• Add liquids.
  • Stir in the cream of mushroom soup, milk, and beef broth, until liquids are well mixed.
• Add vegetables and potatoes.
  • Stir in your vegetables and diced potatoes, then add the spices.
• Simmer.
  • Bring pot to a boil over high heat. Cover, reduce to low, and simmer 15–20 minutes, until the potatoes are soft.
• Adjust as needed.
  • If you do not want a low sodium dish, you can add salt to taste.
  • If you need a smoother texture for someone with chewing or swallowing difficulties, you can scoop out one bowl and use a blender or an immersion blender.
  • If your loved one with dementia does not eat much, you can increase the calories in their soup by adding 1/4 cup of whole milk Greek yogurt to the soup to add 50 calories and 5 g protein.

Recipe

Cost estimate

Each portion would cost:

• $2.52 USD (Using pricing from Wallmart)

• $2.97 CAD (using pricing from Superstore)

These are estimates and may differ from pricing in your area.

Nutrition

This recipe provides lean protein, plenty of vegetables, and lower sodium compared to typical hamburger soups. It’s hearty, family-friendly, and adaptable for people with dementia.

Nutrition per serving (440 g): 260 calories, 21 g protein, 10 g fat, 23 g carb, 2.5 g fiber, 2.5 g sat fat, Sodium 320 mg.

References

1. Nutrient profile – https://food-nutrition.canada.ca/cnf-fce/

2. Heart UK. (2023). Saturated fats. Heart UK. https://www.heartuk.org.uk/news-and-blogs/saturated-fats

3. Food-Based Dietary Guidelines recommendations for meat | Knowledge for policy

4. Volkert, D et al. (2019). ESPEN guideline on clinical nutrition and hydration in geriatrics. Clinical Nutrition, 38(1), 10–47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2018.05.024

5. World Health Organization. (2025). Sodium reduction. WHO. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/sodium-reduction