Ham and Potato Soup
Cozy and comforting Ham and Potato Soup made with tender ham, creamy potatoes, and a rich broth. This easy recipe uses simple ingredients, minimal prep, and delivers warm, hearty flavors perfect for chilly days or whenever you need a satisfying comfort meal.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Meat
- Diced leftover cooked ham or store-bought ham steak – about 2 cups
Vegetables
- Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes – 4 medium, peeled and cubed
- Onion – 1 medium, chopped
- Carrots – 2 medium, chopped
- Celery stalks – 2, chopped
- Garlic cloves – 2, minced
Liquids
- Chicken or vegetable broth – 4 cups
- Milk or cream – 1 to 1 ½ cups
Fats and Thickeners
- Butter – 2 tablespoons
- All-purpose flour – 2 tablespoons
Seasonings
- Salt – to taste
- Black pepper – to taste
- Dried thyme – 1 teaspoon
- Bay leaf – 1
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Dice the ham into bite-sized pieces. Peel and cube the potatoes. Chop the onion, carrots, celery, and mince the garlic to ensure smooth cooking without interruptions.
- Sauté Your Vegetables: Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery and cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until softened and fragrant.
- Add Garlic and Flour: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes. Sprinkle the flour over the veggies and stir constantly for another 2 minutes to create a light roux that will gently thicken the soup.
- Pour in Broth and Add Potatoes: Gradually whisk in the chicken or vegetable broth to avoid lumps. Add the cubed potatoes and bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for around 15 minutes until potatoes are tender.
- Incorporate Ham and Seasonings: Add the diced ham, thyme, salt, and pepper to taste. Simmer for an additional 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Add Milk or Cream: Slowly stir in the milk or cream and heat gently without boiling to prevent curdling. Adjust seasoning as needed and remove the bay leaf before serving.
Notes
- Use starchy potatoes like Yukon Gold or Russets for creamy texture.
- Keep heat low after adding dairy to avoid curdling the milk or cream.
- Simmer ham bones in broth when possible for extra smoky flavor.
- Mash some potatoes in the soup for added thickness without extra flour.
- Season gradually, tasting frequently to avoid over-salting from ham and broth.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: ham soup, potato soup, comfort food, easy soup recipe, hearty soup, creamy soup