This hearty Ham Bone Soup turns yesterday’s leftover ham into today’s comforting masterpiece. Simmered for 10 hours, this soul-warming soup extracts every bit of flavor from the ham bone while staying surprisingly light at just 203 calories per serving.
The slow cooking process creates a rich broth that’s packed with nutrients, including a generous dose of Vitamin A and Vitamin C. Perfect for chilly days, this budget-friendly soup proves that patience truly pays off in the kitchen.
Ingredients For Ham Bone Soup
- For the Broth Base: 1 ham bone, 7 cups water, 20 whole peppercorns, 2 bay leaves, 4 minced garlic cloves – creates a rich, flavorful foundation
- Protein Elements: 5-6 bacon slices, 1½ cups diced leftover ham – adds smoky depth
- Fresh Vegetables: 1 small diced onion, 2 chopped celery ribs, 1 chopped zucchini, 2 diced carrots, 1 diced russet potato – brings color and nutrition
- Pantry Items: 2 cans great northern beans (rinsed), 1-2 minced garlic cloves – adds heartiness
- Seasonings: Dried oregano, thyme, parsley flakes, salt and pepper to taste – enhances overall flavor profile
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Broth Preparation: Combine ham bone, water, peppercorns, bay leaves, and garlic in slow cooker. Let it simmer on LOW for 7 hours or HIGH for 3.5 hours to extract maximum flavor
- Bacon Magic: Cook bacon until crispy, reserve a small amount of grease for vegetable sautéing
- Vegetable Preparation: Sauté onion, celery, zucchini, carrots, and potato in reserved bacon grease until slightly softened
- Final Assembly: Remove ham bone, shred any remaining meat. Add vegetables, beans, seasonings, and extra ham to the broth
- Final Simmer: Cook additional 2 hours on LOW until vegetables are tender. Adjust seasonings to taste
Cooking Techniques
Making ham bone soup is all about layering flavors! Start by creating a rich broth – the slow cooker method works magic here by drawing out all the wonderful flavors from your ham bone.
When you’re cooking the vegetables, don’t rush the sautéing step. Those few minutes in the bacon fat add an amazing depth to your soup. Just keep an eye on your onions – you want them soft and translucent, not browned.
Make-Ahead & Storage
This soup gets even better the next day! Once cooled, pop it in an airtight container and store it in your fridge for up to 4 days. The flavors will keep developing, making each bowl tastier than the last.
You can also freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months – perfect for those busy weeknight dinners. Just thaw overnight in the fridge when you’re ready to enjoy it again.
Variations & Substitutions
No ham bone? No problem! You can use smoked ham hocks instead. For the beans, any white beans work great – try cannellini or navy beans if you can’t find great northern. Not a fan of zucchini? Switch it out for kale or spinach (add these near the end of cooking).
Feel free to toss in different vegetables you have on hand – green beans, corn, or even sweet potatoes would be wonderful additions to this hearty soup.
Serving Suggestions
This cozy soup shines when served with warm, crusty bread for dipping into that flavorful broth. Add a sprinkle of fresh parsley on top for a pop of color and fresh flavor.
For a complete meal, pair it with a simple green salad dressed with light vinaigrette. On chilly days, nothing beats a bowl of this soup with some warm cornbread on the side!
Ham Bone Soup
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
- Large skillet
Ingredients
Broth
- 1 leftover ham bone
- 7 cups water
- 20 whole peppercorns
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 cloves garlic minced
Soup
- 5-6 slices bacon
Instructions
- Place the ham bone, water, peppercorns, bay leaves and garlic in slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 7 hours (or overnight) or HIGH for 3.5 hours.
- Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat. Remove to plate. Remove some of the grease from the pad, reserving just a little in the pan.
