There’s something undeniably comforting about simmering a pot of soup using a leftover ham bone. It’s like reclaiming the warmth and joy of your holiday meal and bottling it into a bowl of pure goodness. This leftover ham bone soup with potatoes and corn is hearty, rich, and soul-warming—perfect for those chilly evenings when you want dinner to feel like a hug. It’s one of those leftover ham recipes that turns what’s left in the fridge into something magical. And if you're the type who loves the creamy coziness of ham and cheese soup or the rustic goodness of ham and cabbage soup, this recipe will land right in your comfort zone.
Ham Bone Soup with Potatoes and Corn
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 1 hour hr
Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Large soup pot or Dutch oven Ideal for simmering your ham soup with ham bone over a longer time for deeper flavor.
Ladle For serving generous helpings of your homemade masterpiece.
Chef’s knife and cutting board Essential for chopping your vegetables and diced ham.
Tongs Useful for removing the ham bone after it’s infused its flavor.
Blender (optional) If you like a partially pureed texture, blend a portion of the soup to give it a creamy body.
For the Soup Base
- 1 leftover ham bone with a bit of meat on it
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 3 carrots peeled and chopped
- 2 celery stalks chopped
- 4 cups peeled and diced russet potatoes
- 1 ½ cups frozen sweet corn
- 1 cup chopped cooked ham leftover ham is perfect
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth or ham stock, if available
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional Creamy Finish
- ½ cup heavy cream or whole milk for a creamier texture
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese to turn it into a ham and cheese soup variation
Optional Add-ins
- 1 cup frozen peas for a twist on ham and pea soup
- 1 cup shredded cabbage for fans of ham and cabbage soup
- 1 can white beans drained and rinsed (to create a fusion of ham and beans soup)
Sauté the Aromatics
In a large soup pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables soften and the onions are translucent.
Build the Base
Place the leftover ham bone into the pot and pour in the chicken broth. Add the bay leaf, thyme, smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir well.
Add Potatoes and Corn
Toss in the diced potatoes and sweet corn. Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for 30-40 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the broth has absorbed all the smoky ham flavor.
Remove the Bone
Carefully remove the ham bone with tongs. Strip any remaining meat off the bone, chop it, and return it to the pot along with the extra cup of chopped ham. Discard the bone and bay leaf.
Optional: Creamy and Cheesy
For a creamier texture, stir in the cream or milk and allow it to heat through. Want something more indulgent? Add in shredded cheddar for a ham chowder soup finish.
Taste and Adjust
Give your soup a final taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
Serve and Enjoy
Ladle into bowls and serve warm with crusty bread or cornbread on the side. This is comfort food at its finest.
Pairings
This cozy bowl of homemade ham soup is rich and savory, so it pairs well with something light and crisp or something rustic and hearty:
- Crusty Bread or Garlic Knots: Perfect for soaking up the flavorful broth.
- Simple Green Salad: A zesty lemon vinaigrette salad cuts through the richness of the soup beautifully.
- Cornbread Muffins: A touch of sweetness complements the salty, smoky ham.
- White Wine (like Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay): For a grown-up dinner twist.
If you're turning this into a ham potato soup crockpot meal for guests, you can also serve it alongside charcuterie-style snacks or deviled eggs to keep the Southern comfort theme going.
FAQs
1. Can I use any kind of ham for this soup?
Absolutely. The best flavor comes from a leftover ham bone with a little meat still on it, but you can use diced ham from the deli, spiral-cut holiday ham, or even smoked ham. If you're craving ham soup recipes, using leftovers gives the soup an unmatched depth.
2. Can I make this in a crockpot?
Yes! To make a crockpot potato and ham soup, simply layer all the ingredients (except cream and cheese) in the slow cooker and cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 4 hours. Stir in cream and cheese in the last 30 minutes.
3. How do I make this thicker?
You can mash some of the potatoes with a fork or use an immersion blender to puree a portion of the soup. Adding cream or cheese also thickens it naturally—just like a hearty cheesy ham and potato soup.
4. Can I freeze this soup?
Definitely. This soup freezes well for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely, portion into airtight containers, and label. Reheat on the stove with a splash of broth or water to loosen it up.
5. What if I want to add beans or peas?
Great idea! Adding white beans gives you a satisfying ham and beans vibe, while frozen peas turn this into more of a ham and pea soup variant. Add them toward the end of the cooking time to keep them tender and bright.
