Description

Ham Bone Soup is a comforting and economical dish that uses leftover ham bones to create a rich, savory broth. This versatile recipe is simple to prepare, hearty, and adaptable with various vegetables, beans, and seasonings, making it perfect for cold days or as a flavorful base for other meals.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

1 leftover ham bone
1 medium onion, chopped
2–3 carrots, chopped
2–3 celery stalks, chopped
2–3 garlic cloves, minced
3–4 cups potatoes, diced (or beans of your choice, about 1–2 cups cooked or dried)
6–8 cups water or broth (as needed)
2 bay leaves
1 tsp dried thyme (or 1 tbsp fresh)
Salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Optional Variations

Kale, spinach, or zucchini (1-2 cups, chopped)
Red pepper flakes or hot sauce, to taste
Low-sodium broth (if preferred)

Instructions

Prepare the Ham Bone and Vegetables: Rinse the ham bone under cold water to remove excess salt or debris. Chop onions, carrots, and celery into bite-sized pieces for layering flavor.
Sauté Aromatics: Heat a bit of oil or butter in a large pot. Add onions, carrots, celery, and garlic and sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened and fragrant to unlock sweetness and depth.
Add Ham Bone and Liquids: Place the ham bone into the pot, then pour in 6-8 cups of water or broth depending on desired soup volume. Bring to a simmer to extract rich flavors from the bone and vegetables.
Season and Simmer: Add bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper. Let the soup simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours, skimming off any foam or excess fat from the surface.
Add Potatoes or Beans and Finish Cooking: Once the broth is full-bodied, add diced potatoes or beans. Continue simmering for another 30 minutes to 1 hour until tender.
Remove the Bone and Serve: Remove the ham bone carefully, shred any remaining meat from it, and add the meat back into the soup. Discard bay leaves and adjust seasoning before serving.

Notes

Use cold water to start for best flavor extraction.
Cook soup slowly over low heat for tender meat and deep flavor.
Skim excess fat during cooking to keep broth light and clear.
Save all ham meat from the bone to add texture and richness.
Adjust salt and pepper gradually at the end for perfect seasoning.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 2.5 to 3 hours
Category: Soups
Method: Simmering
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 180
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 500mg
Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 1.5g
Unsaturated Fat: 3g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 18g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 12g
Cholesterol: 35mg

Keywords: ham bone soup, leftover ham recipe, comforting soup, hearty soup, easy soup recipe, budget-friendly soup, gluten free soup