When the cold weather hits, nothing warms you up quite like a hearty bowl of soup. This Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Soup is the ideal comfort meal, combining tender pieces of ham, creamy potatoes, and a variety of vegetables into a rich, flavorful dish. Simple and satisfying, it’s perfect for feeding the whole family.
Why Make This Recipe
This recipe is great because it requires minimal effort while delivering maximum flavor. With just a few ingredients and a slow cooker, you can come home to a delicious, home-cooked meal that’s ready to enjoy. It’s also a fantastic way to use leftover ham, making it both budget-friendly and practical. Plus, it’s creamy, cheesy, and oh-so-comforting—perfect for those chilly days!
How to Make Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Soup
Ingredients:
- 3 cups cooked ham, diced
- 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (optional)
- 2 tbsp butter
- Optional Garnish: Chopped Fresh Parsley or Chives
Directions:
- Begin by dicing the ham, potatoes, carrots, celery, and onion. Mince the garlic.
- In your slow cooker, add the potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, diced ham, chicken broth, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Stir gently to combine everything.
- Cover and set your slow cooker to low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours until the potatoes and carrots are tender.
- In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to make a roux.
- Gradually add in the heavy cream while whisking until it’s smooth.
- Pour the cream mixture into the slow cooker, stirring to blend it in. Add the shredded cheddar cheese and mix until melted and creamy. Adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve hot by ladling the soup into bowls and garnishing with fresh parsley or chives. Pair with some crusty bread or dinner rolls for a complete meal.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Soup
Serve this soup hot, scooping it into bowls and garnishing with fresh herbs like parsley or chives. It pairs beautifully with crusty bread, dinner rolls, or a light salad on the side. For an even more filling meal, consider adding a simple side of green beans or a mixed vegetable platter.
How to Store Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Soup
To store leftover soup, let it cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. It can be refrigerated for up to 4-5 days. For longer storage, consider freezing it in individual portions for up to 3 months. To reheat, just thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm it up on the stove or in the microwave.
Tips to Make Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Soup
- Prep Ahead: You can chop all the vegetables the night before and store them in an airtight container in the fridge to save time in the morning.
- Adjust Ingredients: Feel free to adjust the vegetables based on what you have on hand. Corn, green beans, or even peas can make great additions.
- Thicker Soup: If you prefer a thicker texture, you can add 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour at the beginning or blend part of the soup before adding the cream and cheese.
Variation
You can make this soup even more interesting by adding spices like paprika or cayenne for a little heat. For a lighter version, use milk instead of heavy cream or half-and-half. Vegetarian versions can be made by substituting ham with smoked paprika for that savory taste and using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
FAQs
1. Can I use fresh ham instead of cooked ham?
Yes, but you will need to cook the ham before adding it to the soup to ensure it’s safe to eat.
2. Can I make this soup vegetarian?
Absolutely! Just replace the ham with vegetables like mushrooms and use vegetable broth.
3. Can I slow cook this soup on high instead of low?
Yes, you can cook on high for about 3-4 hours instead of 6-7 hours on low, but check for tenderness on your vegetables.
Enjoy your delicious Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Soup!
Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Soup
Ingredients
Method
- Begin by dicing the ham, potatoes, carrots, celery, and onion. Mince the garlic.
- In your slow cooker, add the potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, diced ham, chicken broth, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Stir gently to combine everything.
- Cover and set your slow cooker to low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours until the potatoes and carrots are tender.
- In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to make a roux.
- Gradually add in the heavy cream while whisking until it’s smooth.
- Pour the cream mixture into the slow cooker, stirring to blend it in. Add the shredded cheddar cheese and mix until melted and creamy.
- Adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve hot by ladling the soup into bowls and garnishing with fresh parsley or chives.
- Pair with some crusty bread or dinner rolls for a complete meal.
