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Creamy Leftover Ham and Potato Soup

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A cozy, creamy soup made from leftover ham and potatoes, perfect for a comforting meal that uses simple pantry staples and delivers rich, smoky flavor without heavy cream.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups diced leftover ham (preferably smoky ham)
  • 1 ham bone or ham hock (optional)
  • 4 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 2 medium carrots, diced (optional)
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 6 cups chicken broth or stock
  • 1 cup whole milk or half-and-half
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped or ½ teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion, celery, and carrots. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until vegetables soften and onion is translucent.
  2. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Sprinkle flour over vegetables and stir well to coat. Cook for about 2 minutes to remove raw flour taste.
  3. Slowly pour in 6 cups of chicken broth while stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Add ham bone or ham hock if using. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 30 minutes.
  4. Remove ham bone and pick off any remaining meat, discarding fat and gristle. Return meat to pot along with diced potatoes and diced ham. Add thyme if using. Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes until potatoes are tender but not falling apart.
  5. Using an immersion blender, puree about half the soup directly in the pot until smooth. Alternatively, blend half the soup in batches in a regular blender and return to pot.
  6. Stir in 1 cup of milk or half-and-half. Warm through for 5 minutes without boiling. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with chopped parsley. Serve hot.

Notes

If soup thickens too much when cooled, stir in extra milk or broth before reheating. Slow simmering the ham bone adds depth of flavor. Partial blending creates creamy texture without heaviness. Adjust salt at the end to avoid oversalting due to ham’s saltiness. Yukon Gold potatoes can be used for a creamier texture. Dairy-free and gluten-free substitutions are possible.

Nutrition

Keywords: ham soup, potato soup, leftover ham recipe, creamy soup, comfort food, easy soup recipe, cozy meal

Find it online: https://evabakery.com/creamy-leftover-ham-and-potato-soup-recipe-easy-cozy-comfort-meal/