Traditional Ham Bone Soup

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 3 hours
🍽 Serves: 6
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Traditional Ham Bone Soup is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for those chilly days when you want something hearty and satisfying. This recipe transforms humble leftovers into a delicious, soul-warming meal.

Ingredients for Traditional Ham Bone Soup

The ham bone is the star here, providing a rich, smoky flavor base that you just can’t get from store-bought stock. Make sure there's some meat left on it for added texture and taste.
Water acts as our base, turning into a flavorful broth as it simmers with the bone.
Carrots and celery contribute sweetness and depth, key to balancing the savory notes.
Onion and garlic are essential aromatics, adding complexity to the broth.
Potatoes provide heartiness, making the soup feel substantial and filling.
Dried thyme and rosemary add an earthy, herbaceous note.
Bay leaves offer a subtle, peppery aroma that enhances all other flavors.
Salt and pepper are crucial for seasoning; adjust them to your liking.

Tips & Tricks

  • If your soup tastes a bit flat, a splash of vinegar or a squeeze of lemon juice can brighten the flavors.
  • For a thicker soup, mash some of the potatoes against the side of the pot.
  • Leftover soup can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.

Serving Suggestions

This soup pairs wonderfully with a loaf of crusty bread for dipping. A side of sautéed greens or a fresh salad can add a nice contrast to the rich, hearty soup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?
Absolutely! Just put all the ingredients in the slow cooker, set it on low for 6-8 hours, and add the potatoes in the last hour.
What if I don’t have a ham bone?
If you don’t have a ham bone, a ham hock or smoked turkey leg makes a good substitute.
Can I add other vegetables?
Yes, feel free to throw in some parsnips, turnips, or even leftover peas. Just keep in mind cooking times may vary.

Traditional Ham Bone Soup Recipe Walkthrough

Start by placing the ham bone in a large stockpot. Add about 8 cups of water, ensuring the bone is submerged. It’s okay if some meat is poking out—it’ll still do its magic.
Toss in the diced carrots, celery, onion, and minced garlic. These veggies will sweeten and enrich the broth as they cook.
Stir in the dried thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves. Add a pinch of salt and pepper—you’ll adjust these later, so don’t overdo it.
Bring the pot to a boil. Once it’s bubbling, lower the heat and let it simmer gently for about two hours. This slow cooking extracts all the flavors from the ham bone and melds the ingredients beautifully.
After two hours, carefully remove the ham bone and bay leaves. They’ve done their job! Add the cubed potatoes and let the soup simmer for another 20-30 minutes until the potatoes are tender.
While the potatoes cook, pick any remaining meat off the ham bone and shred it into bite-sized pieces. Toss it back into the soup for extra heft.
Give the soup a taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Serve it hot and enjoy!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Great use of leftover ham bone, minimizing waste.
  • Deep, rich flavors from slow simmering.
  • Simple ingredients, big impact.
  • Warm and comforting, perfect for cold weather.
  • Easy to adapt based on what you have in your pantry.

Ingredients

1 ham bone with some meat attached
8 cups water
2 cups diced carrots
2 cups diced celery
1 large onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups cubed potatoes
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
2 bay leaves
Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Place the ham bone in a large stockpot and cover with the water.
2. Add carrots, celery, onion, and garlic to the pot.
3. Stir in thyme, rosemary, bay leaves, salt, and pepper.
4. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 2 hours.
5. Remove the ham bone and bay leaves from the soup.
6. Add potatoes to the soup and cook for another 20-30 minutes until tender.
7. Shred any meat remaining on the bone and return it to the pot.
8. Adjust seasoning to taste and serve hot.

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