Ham Soup Stock Recipe

Ham soup is a hearty and comforting dish, perfect for cozy nights or for using up leftovers from a holiday feast. It’s rich in flavor, savory, and has that lovely depth of taste that only comes from slow simmering. Whether you’re looking for a way to repurpose that leftover ham or just craving a satisfying bowl of soup, this recipe is a tried-and-true favorite.

This ham soup is more than just a quick fix; it’s a celebration of home-cooked meals, where simple ingredients come together to create something truly delicious. It’s easy to make, packed with flavor, and it’s flexible-adapt it to your own taste preferences with various add-ins or ingredient swaps.

Making your own ham stock is one of the best ways to deepen the flavor profile of your soup. The process is simple but makes all the difference, bringing out the smokiness and richness of the ham that store-bought broths just can’t replicate. The stock forms the base of your ham soup, infusing every bite with savory goodness.

Ingredients For Ham Soup Stock

Ham bone (with meat left on it) – the main flavor base.
Water – to extract the flavors from the bone.
Onions – adds sweetness and depth.
Carrots – brings in an earthy sweetness that balances the richness of the ham.
Celery – for a subtle, fresh undertone.
Garlic cloves – to enhance the overall aroma.
Bay leaves – for that aromatic, herby touch.
Black peppercorns – for a mild spice that complements the ham.
Thyme – a classic herb for a bit of earthy, floral notes.

How To Make The Ham Soup Stock

Place the Ham Bone in a Large Pot: Put your ham bone in a large stockpot. If you’re using leftover ham with lots of meat, that’s even better! It’ll add more richness to the stock.
Add Aromatics: To the pot, add roughly chopped onions, carrots, celery, and garlic. These vegetables will release their flavors into the broth, enriching the overall taste.
Pour in Water: Fill the pot with water-enough to fully submerge the ham bone and vegetables. Typically, 8-10 cups of water should work, but make sure there’s enough liquid to keep things simmering for a few hours.
Add Seasonings: Throw in the bay leaves, peppercorns, and thyme. These will infuse the broth with aromatic flavors, enhancing the ham.
Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Let it cook for 2-3 hours, checking occasionally to ensure the water level remains above the ingredients. The longer you simmer, the richer the flavor.
Strain and Reserve: Once the stock has reduced and is flavorful, strain out the solids and set the stock aside. Discard the bones and vegetables.

Your ham stock is now ready to become the base for the soup! The deep, savory broth is key to a flavorful ham soup.

Ingredients Needed

Now that you have your stock ready, it’s time to gather the ingredients that will go into the soup itself. These ingredients work together to create a dish that’s both comforting and full of flavor.

Ham (chopped into bite-sized pieces) – leftover ham or fresh ham steak works best. Aim for around 2-3 cups of ham.
Potatoes (diced) – these add heartiness to the soup and absorb the savory flavors of the broth. Russet potatoes or Yukon Gold are great choices.
Carrots (sliced) – they add color, texture, and sweetness to balance the saltiness of the ham.
Celery (chopped) – gives a bit of crunch and freshness.
Onions (diced) – for a base of savory sweetness.
Frozen peas – for a pop of color and a little sweetness.
Fresh thyme – if you used dried thyme in the stock, fresh thyme will add a fresh, fragrant note to the soup.
Salt & pepper – to taste. You’ll want to season as you go, because the ham is already salty, and you may need less salt than you think.
Olive oil or butter – for sautéing the vegetables and starting the base.
Heavy cream or milk (optional) – for a creamy, rich texture if you want to take the soup to the next level.
Chopped parsley – for garnish and a touch of freshness.

Cooking Instructions

Let’s dive into the process of making the soup now that all the ingredients are ready. This is where the magic happens, and in just under an hour, you’ll have a bowl of ham soup that’ll warm your heart.

Sauté the Vegetables: Heat a tablespoon of olive oil or butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions, carrots, and celery. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften and the onions turn translucent.
Add the Potatoes: Toss in the diced potatoes and cook for another 3-4 minutes. The potatoes will absorb some of the flavors from the oil and vegetables.
Pour in the Ham Stock: Add the prepared ham stock to the pot, stirring well. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes, until the potatoes are tender and the flavors meld.
Add the Ham and Peas: Stir in the chopped ham and frozen peas, and simmer for an additional 5-7 minutes. The peas will cook quickly, and the ham will heat through, imparting its smoky flavor into the soup.
Season to Taste: Taste your soup and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Be mindful of the salt level since the ham stock can be quite salty.
Finish with Cream (Optional): If you want to add a rich, creamy finish to the soup, stir in a splash of heavy cream or milk. This will give the soup a silky texture and round out the flavors.
Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls, and garnish with fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness.

Ingredient Insights

Each ingredient in this ham soup plays a specific role, contributing to the overall flavor, texture, and comfort of the dish.

Ham: The star of the show, ham is rich in flavor and acts as the backbone of the soup. Its smoky, salty profile infuses the broth, giving the soup its distinct savory character.
Potatoes: These starchy vegetables add bulk to the soup, making it hearty and filling. They soak up the savory broth, adding a satisfying texture that contrasts nicely with the meat.
Carrots and Celery: These vegetables provide the perfect balance of sweetness and crunch, which offsets the richness of the ham. They also contribute to the depth of flavor in the broth.
Peas: Peas add a burst of sweetness and color, lightening the soup and making it feel fresh despite its otherwise rich base.
Herbs and Seasonings: Thyme, bay leaves, garlic, and pepper create layers of aroma and flavor that complement the ham perfectly.

Expert Tips

Use Ham Bone for the Best Flavor: The ham bone is a treasure trove of flavor! Make sure to simmer it for as long as possible to extract every bit of richness.
Add a Splash of Vinegar or Lemon: A touch of acidity, like a splash of vinegar or a squeeze of lemon juice, can balance the richness of the soup and brighten the flavors.
Simmer Slowly: The longer you let the soup simmer, the better the flavors meld together. Take your time and let everything cook low and slow for the best result.
Storage and Leftovers: Ham soup keeps well in the fridge for 3-4 days. It also freezes beautifully. Just let it cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

Recipe Variations

Ham soup is incredibly versatile, and you can easily tweak the recipe to fit your tastes or what you have on hand.

Spicy Ham Soup: Add a little kick by throwing in some red pepper flakes, a dash of hot sauce, or even diced jalapeños to heat things up.
Ham and Bean Soup: Add white beans or kidney beans for a protein boost. Beans pair wonderfully with ham and create a heartier meal.
Vegetarian Ham Soup: For a vegetarian twist, use smoked paprika to mimic the flavor of ham and replace the ham stock with vegetable broth.
Smoky Ham Soup: Enhance the smoky flavor by adding a small amount of smoked paprika or a few dashes of liquid smoke.

Final Words

This ham soup recipe is a time-honored classic that brings people together. It’s the kind of dish you can make in large batches, and it only gets better the next day when the flavors have had time to deepen and meld together. Whether you’re using up leftovers or starting from scratch, this recipe is a surefire way to create a meal that satisfies the whole family.

Ham Soup Stock Recipe