Quick & Easy Leftover Ham Soup: A Cozy and Delicious Recipe
Got leftover ham from the holidays or a family meal? Don’t let it go to waste! This Quick & Easy Leftover Ham Soupis a flavorful and hearty dish that’s perfect for using up leftover ham while filling your home with comforting aromas. Packed with wholesome veggies, tender ham, and aromatic herbs, this soup will warm you up on chilly days. Plus, it’s simple to make and ideal for meal prepping!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Perfect for Leftovers: A great way to transform leftover ham into a nourishing meal.
Nutritious and Delicious: Loaded with fresh vegetables, protein-packed ham, and beans for added fiber.
Quick and Easy: Ready in about 40 minutes, this recipe is ideal for busy weeknights.
Versatile: Swap out veggies or seasonings to suit your preferences!
Ingredients
2 Tbsp olive oil
3 carrots, chopped
3 celery stalks, chopped
1 yellow onion, chopped
1.25 lbs ham, cubed
Ham bone (optional)
2 Tbsp minced garlic (4 large cloves)
64 oz (two 32oz quarts) low-sodium vegetable broth
3 bay leaves
2 tsp thyme
1 tsp dried parsley
1/2 tsp pepper
1 can northern beans, rinsed and drained
Method
Prepare the Base: Heat olive oil in a large soup pot or 6–7 qt. Dutch oven over medium heat. Add carrots, celery, and onion. Sauté for about 5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
Add Ham and Broth: Stir in minced garlic, cubed ham, vegetable broth, bay leaves, thyme, parsley, and pepper. If you have a ham bone, add it for extra flavor!
Simmer: Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce to medium heat. Let it simmer for about 15 minutes.
Add Beans: Stir in the northern beans and continue simmering for another 15 minutes.
Remove Bay Leaves and Ham Bone: Discard bay leaves and ham bone before serving.
Tips for the Best Ham Soup
For Extra Flavor: If you use a ham bone, simmer the soup a bit longer to extract all the flavor.
Make It Your Own: Add potatoes, spinach, or your favorite herbs for a twist.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this soup with warm crusty bread, a side salad, or some homemade cornbread for a complete and satisfying meal.
Why This Recipe Works
This Quick & Easy Leftover Ham Soup is not only a great way to minimize food waste, but it also turns simple, everyday ingredients into a hearty, comforting dish. Whether you’re meal-prepping or looking for a quick dinner solution, this recipe will leave everyone at the table asking for seconds!
Try it today and make the most of your leftovers!
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Danielle Rancourt, MS, RD
I'm Dani, founder & CEO of Pivot Nutrition Coaching. I'm also a Registered Dietitian and Certified Sports Dietitian based out of Grand Forks, North Dakota.
I'm a busy toddler mom and former college athlete who gets it! Life is busy, and nutrition can be so confusing & overwhelming!
I'm here to SIMPLIFY nutrition and help you look & feel your best without giving up your favorite foods!