Creamy Holiday Ham & Potato Soup (Best Leftover Ham Recipe)
A warm, creamy soup that transforms leftover ham and potatoes into a hearty, comforting meal perfect for chilly days or holiday leftovers.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 1 Onion, chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 700 g (approximately 1.5 lb) Potatoes, peeled and diced
- 2 cups Cooked ham, diced
- 4 cups Chicken broth
- 1 cup Milk or cream
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Optional Toppings
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Chopped green onions
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: In a soup pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until soft and translucent. Then add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, allowing the flavors to deepen.
- Cook Potatoes and Ham: Add the diced potatoes, cooked ham, and chicken broth to the pot. Bring everything to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Thicken the Soup: To thicken, mash some of the potatoes directly in the pot using a spoon or potato masher, or alternatively transfer 1 to 2 cups of the soup to a blender, puree until smooth, and stir back into the pot. Then stir in the milk or cream and warm the soup gently over low heat, ensuring it does not boil hard to prevent curdling.
- Season and Serve: Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. For a richer finish, stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted. Serve hot, garnished with optional green onions and accompanied by bread or crackers for a complete meal.
Notes
- Using cream instead of milk will make the soup richer and more indulgent.
- Be careful not to boil the soup hard after adding milk or cream to avoid curdling.
- Leftover ham can be replaced with cooked bacon or sausage for variation.
- For a smoother texture, blend the soup fully before adding milk or cream.