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Ham Bone Soup is a warm and comforting dish made with onions, garlic, white beans, mixed vegetables, potatoes, and a ham bone. It serves six people and is slowly simmered for 45 minutes while all the flavors meld together. This rich and savory soup is the best way to use your leftover ham bone.

Ham Bone Soup

This ham and vegetable soup is perfect for cold spring days. The vegetables are bright while the soup is hot and savory. You know April and May are right around the corner, and with them, the budding trees and bright cherry blossoms. This is the best time to eat warm soup and crusty white bread.

How to make ham bone soup 

Heat the butter in a large stock pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.

When the butter is melted, add the onion and sauté until translucent.

Add the garlic and cook for one more minute.

Pour in the chicken broth and water.

Add the beans, mixed vegetables, red potatoes, and ham bone. Stir to mix all the ingredients around the bone.

Cook over medium heat, uncovered, until the mixture begins to boil. Then, reduce the heat and cook for 45 minutes to one hour, until the potatoes are tender.

When ready to serve, remove the ham bone from the pot. Allow the meat to cool slightly, then cut the ham off the bone. Chop into bite-sized pieces and return the ham to the pot. Discard the bone.

Stir to mix the ham into the soup, then serve.

Tips for Success/Variations: 

Here are some tips and tricks to make the best homemade ham bone soup you’ve ever tasted. 

• After you eat a gorgeous bone-in ham, freeze the ham bone to use in this soup later. 
• Some other ingredients that are tasty in this soup are split peas, lentils, black beans, cabbage, and navy beans.  
• This soup contains beans but can be keto-friendly if you reduce the amount or leave them out altogether.  It’s the perfect option to serve the whole family without having to make something separate to feed just one person.   

How to Serve: 

Ham bone soup can be eaten as a meal by itself and also goes well with other side dishes. If you want to keep it easy, try these Slow Cooker Loaded Mashed Potatoes. They go into the slow cooker in the morning and are ready with the chicken in the evening. 

These Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes with bacon are a perfect complement to ham bone soup. 

Roasted Green Beans are easy to throw together and are baked in the oven. These crunchy green beans are a great side with the soup. 

How to Store: 

Place the ham soup in an air-tight container and place it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat it in the microwave or in a pot on the stove. 

You can also freeze the soup in freezer bags or a plastic container and then thaw it in the fridge. 

FAQs: 

How can I make ham bone soup creamy? 

If you want to make this soup creamy, a simple solution is to add a half cup of heavy cream to the pot right before serving.  

Can I make this soup in the slow cooker? 

This is a great recipe to make in the crockpot. If you are using dried beans rather than canned beans, this is the best option. All the ingredients have time to combine their flavors and create one harmonious soup.  

How can I make this soup recipe in an instant pot? 

Using the pressure cooker is a great alternative to cooking this dish on the stovetop. It also makes it a one-pot meal which means less clean-up and more time to enjoy your night.