Description
Comforting ham and potato soup whisks warm memories of grandma’s kitchen into a single bowl. Rich potato chunks and savory ham create a hearty meal that welcomes hungry diners with classic midwest charm.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 2 cups diced ham
Vegetables:
- 4 medium russet potatoes
- 1 medium onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 medium carrots
- 2 celery stalks
Liquid and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley (for garnish)
- Fresh chives (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a spacious Dutch oven, gently melt butter over medium heat until it becomes fragrant and slightly golden.
- Incorporate finely diced onions and minced garlic, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until translucent and aromatic.
- Sprinkle flour over the vegetable mixture, stirring continuously for 2 minutes to create a smooth, golden roux that eliminates raw flour taste.
- Slowly pour chicken broth into the pot, whisking constantly to prevent lumps and create a silky base.
- Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer, allowing flavors to meld and broth to slightly thicken.
- Add cubed potatoes and reduce heat to medium-low, covering the pot and allowing potatoes to become tender for approximately 15 minutes.
- Introduce diced ham into the soup, stirring to distribute evenly throughout the mixture.
- Pour in milk or cream, stirring gently to integrate and create a rich, velvety texture.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, adjusting to personal taste preference.
- Simmer for an additional 5 minutes until soup reaches a creamy consistency and ham is thoroughly heated.
- Ladle into warm bowls and garnish with optional toppings like sharp cheddar cheese or thinly sliced green onions.
Notes
- Roux technique matters for rich, velvety soup texture without lumps, so whisk flour carefully and consistently during cooking.
- starchy potatoes like Russets break down more, creating creamier consistency compared to waxy varieties.
- Swap dairy for healthier alternatives like unsweetened almond milk or coconut cream to make recipe dairy-free and lighter.
- Reduce sodium by using low-sodium chicken broth and monitoring added salt, especially if ham is already salty.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 245 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg