Savory Garden Ham Bone Soup

Name: Savory Garden Ham Bone Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h 50 min
Total time: 2 h 5 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 1 ham bone with some meat; 8 cups water; 2 cups diced carrots; 2 cups diced potatoes; 1 cup chopped celery; 1 diced onion; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes; 2 tbsp olive oil; 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar; 1 tsp salt; 1 tsp black pepper; 1 tsp thyme; 1 tsp rosemary; 1 bay leaf; 1 cup frozen peas; 1 tbsp chopped parsley

🕒 Prep: 15 min

🔥 Cook: 1 hour 50 min

🍽 Serves: 6

★★★★★

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This Savory Garden Ham Bone Soup is a gift for the soul and the senses. With its rich broth and garden-fresh vegetables, it’s the perfect way to make the most of a leftover ham bone and warm up on a chilly day.

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Ingredients for Savory Garden Ham Bone Soup

Ham bone adds a deep, smoky flavor that’s hard to replicate with anything else. Plus, it gives the soup a hearty, meaty essence. Water serves as the base, transforming into a savory broth as it simmers with the ham bone. Carrots bring a touch of sweetness and color. Potatoes add body and help thicken the soup slightly. Celery provides a subtle crunch and aromatic depth. Onion and garlic are the unsung heroes, providing a flavor foundation that sings through the whole dish. Diced tomatoes add acidity and balance to the richness of the ham. Olive oil helps sauté the aromatics, enhancing their flavors. Apple cider vinegar brightens the soup, making flavors pop. Salt and black pepper season the soup, while thyme and rosemary give it an herbaceous finish. A bay leaf rounds out the flavor profile, adding depth. Frozen peas are a sweet, quick-cooking addition that adds color and texture. Finally, parsley offers a fresh, vibrant finish.

Tips & Tricks

If your soup is too salty, add a peeled raw potato to absorb some of the salt.
For a thicker soup, mash some of the potatoes against the side of the pot.
Freeze leftover soup in individual portions for easy meals later.
Don’t rush the simmering step; it’s crucial for developing flavor.

Serving Suggestions

This soup pairs beautifully with a slice of crusty bread or a simple side salad. For a heartier meal, serve it alongside a grilled cheese sandwich. It’s also lovely topped with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan or a dollop of sour cream.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different kind of bone if I don’t have a ham bone?: Yes, a smoked turkey leg or a meaty beef bone could work, though the flavor will be different.
How long will this soup keep in the fridge?: Stored in an airtight container, it should last about 3–4 days.
Can I add other vegetables to the soup?: Absolutely! Feel free to add greens like spinach or kale in the last few minutes of cooking.

Savory Garden Ham Bone Soup Recipe Walkthrough

Start by heating olive oil in a large stockpot over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic to the pot, sautéing them until they become translucent. This should take just a few minutes and will lay the flavor foundation for your soup.

Next, place the ham bone into the pot along with water, diced tomatoes, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, thyme, rosemary, and the bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for about an hour. This allows the flavors to develop and the broth to become richly infused with the ham’s essence.

After simmering, remove the ham bone and let it cool just enough to handle. Strip any remaining meat from the bone and return the meat to the pot. This ensures you get every bit of flavor and texture out of the ham.

Add the carrots, potatoes, and celery to the pot. Let them cook for about 30 minutes, or until they are tender. You’ll know they’re done when you can easily pierce them with a fork.

Finally, stir in the frozen peas and parsley. Cook for an additional 5 minutes to heat the peas through and let the parsley release its flavor. Take a moment to taste the soup and adjust the seasoning if needed before serving.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Perfect for using up leftovers — nothing goes to waste.
Hearty and filling, making it a complete meal on its own.
Loaded with veggies, bringing both flavor and nutrients.
Simple yet deeply satisfying, ideal for family dinners.
Easy to customize based on what you have on hand.

Ingredients

1 ham bone with some meat

8 cups water

2 cups diced carrots

2 cups diced potatoes

1 cup chopped celery

1 diced onion

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes

2 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

1 tsp salt

1 tsp black pepper

1 tsp thyme

1 tsp rosemary

1 bay leaf

1 cup frozen peas

1 tbsp chopped parsley

Step-by-step Instructions

1. In a large stockpot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and garlic, sauté until translucent.

2. Add the ham bone, water, diced tomatoes, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour.

3. Remove the ham bone, let it cool slightly, then remove any remaining meat from the bone and return meat to the pot.

4. Add carrots, potatoes, celery, and cook for another 30 minutes until vegetables are tender.