Ham and Potato Soup – Rich, Creamy, and Flavorful
Know about ham and potato soup
Ham and potato soup is one of the most comforting bowls you can serve at the table. The combination of tender potatoes, savory ham, and a creamy broth creates a dish that is both hearty and satisfying. Unlike light soups that serve as appetizers, ham and potato soup is filling enough to stand as a full meal, especially when paired with bread or a fresh salad.
This dish has become a favorite because it transforms simple pantry ingredients into something warm and deeply flavorful. The salty, smoky taste of ham blends beautifully with the natural creaminess of potatoes, while herbs and aromatics add depth to every spoonful. Whether you prepare it as a weeknight meal or as one of your go-to crockpot dishes for gatherings, it’s a recipe worth keeping. Families especially enjoy it because it uses leftovers creatively and offers flexibility with variations like Cheesy Potato Kielbasa Soup Crockpot style or Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Soup Easy Recipes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Preparation and Cooking Time, also serving
Ingredients
Substitution Notes:
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the base
In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Sauté until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Transfer this mixture to the slow cooker.
Step 2: Add potatoes and ham
Place cubed potatoes and diced ham into the slow cooker. The potatoes should be cut evenly so they cook at the same rate. Pour in the chicken broth.
Step 3: Season and start cooking
Add thyme, parsley, bay leaf, and a light pinch of salt and pepper. Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours, until the potatoes are fork-tender.
Step 4: Adjust texture
Remove the bay leaf. For a creamy consistency, use a potato masher to mash some of the potatoes directly in the slow cooker. For a smoother version, use an immersion blender to puree part of the soup, leaving some chunks for texture.
Step 5: Enrich the soup
Stir in milk and heavy cream. If you want the soup thicker, whisk in the flour-water slurry and let the soup cook for an additional 20 minutes on high until it thickens.
Step 6: Add cheese (optional)
For a Cheesy Potato Kielbasa Soup Crockpot variation, stir in shredded cheddar just before serving. Allow it to melt fully into the broth.
Step 7: Taste and serve
Check seasoning, adjusting with more salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot with garnishes like fresh parsley, shredded cheese, or green onions.
How to Serve
Ham and potato soup is best served in deep bowls with a sprinkle of fresh herbs or shredded cheese on top. Pair it with crusty bread, garlic toast, or a side salad for a balanced meal. If serving as part of a bigger spread, it complements roasted vegetables or lighter crockpot dishes beautifully. For presentation, ladle it into white bowls to highlight the golden color of the broth and the contrast of the ham and vegetables.
Additional Tips
Recipe Variations
Freezing and Storage
Nutritional Information (per serving, approx.)
Final Words
Ham and potato soup is the kind of dish that makes everyone feel cared for at the table. It uses simple ingredients yet delivers big comfort, whether served as a weeknight family dinner or featured as one of your favorite crockpot dishes during colder months. With this recipe, you can master a classic that never goes out of style, while also learning how to adapt it into Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Soup Easy Recipes or even creative twists like Cheesy Potato Kielbasa Soup Crockpot style. Once you try it, it will likely earn a permanent place in your recipe rotation.
FAQ’s
Ham and Potato Soup – Rich, Creamy, and Flavorful
Course: Soup Recipes6
servings20
minutes45
minutes340
kcalIngredients
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 medium carrots, diced
3 celery stalks, diced
4 cups Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cubed into 1-inch pieces
3 cups cooked ham, diced (or substitute smoked kielbasa for variation)
4 cups chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
2 cups whole milk
½ cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 bay leaf
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for cheesy version)
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour mixed with 2 tablespoons water (optional thickener)
Directions
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Sauté until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Transfer this mixture to the slow cooker.
- Place cubed potatoes and diced ham into the slow cooker. The potatoes should be cut evenly so they cook at the same rate. Pour in the chicken broth.
- Add thyme, parsley, bay leaf, and a light pinch of salt and pepper. Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours, until the potatoes are fork-tender.
- Remove the bay leaf. For a creamy consistency, use a potato masher to mash some of the potatoes directly in the slow cooker. For a smoother version, use an immersion blender to puree part of the soup, leaving some chunks for texture.
- Stir in milk and heavy cream. If you want the soup thicker, whisk in the flour-water slurry and let the soup cook for an additional 20 minutes on high until it thickens.
- For a Cheesy Potato Kielbasa Soup Crockpot variation, stir in shredded cheddar just before serving. Allow it to melt fully into the broth.
- Check seasoning, adjusting with more salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot with garnishes like fresh parsley, shredded cheese, or green onions.
Notes
- Always dice ham into bite-sized cubes for consistency in every spoonful.
- For smoky depth, add a ham bone or ham hock to the soup while cooking, then remove before serving.
- If reheating, add a splash of broth or milk to restore creaminess.
- Garnish just before serving to keep herbs vibrant and cheese fresh.
