13 Hearty Ham Soup Recipes

Ham Chowder

My five children all agree that this soothing recipe is wonderful. The soup is full of potatoes, carrots and ham. The best part is that I can get it on the table in only a half hour of hands-on time. —Jennifer Trenhaile, Emerson, Nebraska

Navy Bean Soup

My family loves navy bean soup! Beans were a commodity you did not survive without in the ’30s. This excellent navy beans and ham soup is a real family favorite of ours and I make it often. —Mildred Lewis, Temple, Texas

Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup

I knew this ham soup recipe was a keeper when my mother-in-law asked for it! The hearty soup—chock-full of ham, veggies and cheese—is creamy and comforting. And even though the recipe makes enough to feed a crowd, don’t expect it to last more than one meal! —Marty Matthews, Clarksville, Tennessee

French Market Soup

An old friend gave me this recipe and it is so heart-warming in the cold, winter months. I think it is even more flavorful the next day and it's best made the day before serving. Leftovers freeze well.—Terri Lowe, Lumberton, Texas

Ham and Bean Soup

If you like ham and bean soup but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, this tasty, quick version will leave you with a satisfied smile. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen

Slow-Cooker Split Pea Soup

Slow-cooker split pea soup is so easy, all you have to do is dump everything into the cooker. This soul-warming soup comes together in a snap!

Slow-Cooker Ham and Potato Soup

Deliciously comforting and incredibly convenient, this slow-cooker ham and potato soup combines tender potatoes and savory ham in a creamy broth, making it the perfect hassle-free meal for any busy day.

Cajun Corn Soup

I found this recipe years ago and substituted Cajun stewed tomatoes for a bolder taste. Now I prepare this dish for out-of-state guests who want to taste some Cajun food. Everyone who tries it gives it high marks. Plus, it's easy to prepare. —Sue Fontenot, Kinder, Louisiana

Ham, Potato and Pepper Chowder

I have been serving this chowder for years now. When I’m feeding family members who don’t eat dairy products, I substitute oil for the butter and use coconut milk or soy creamer instead of heavy cream. It still turns out wonderful! —Eileen Stefanski, Wales, Wisconsin

Fiesta Ham Soup

Chowders are a scrumptious way to warm the spirits during the holidays. Our festive soup is brimming with ham, green chiles, potatoes and corn. —Cathy Hastie, Auburn, California

Split Pea Soup

Not only is this old-fashioned favorite a snap to make but it’s economical too. Carrots, celery and onion accent the subtle flavor of the split peas, while a ham bone adds a meaty touch to this hearty soup. It’s sure to chase away autumn’s chill. —Laurie Todd, Columbus, Mississippi

Priscilla’s Vegetable Chowder

This is the perfect soup to warm up with on a cold fall or winter day. Serve it in a bread bowl to make it extra special. —Rhodes Bake-N-Serv, Jenna Jackson, Salt Lake City, Utah

Ham & Potato-Rutabaga Chowder

The ingredients in this dish are a nod to my mother's tasty potato and rutabaga side dish, which was always paired with baked country ham; dishes she served during the cold months when I was a child. Whenever I make this chowder it brings me back to a time when life was just a little bit simpler. —Cheryl Perry, Hertford, North Carolina

Ham Soup Recipes FAQ

Can I use leftover ham for soup?

Absolutely, you can use any leftover smoked or glazed ham to make soup. Dice it into bite-sized or smaller pieces and add it to your favorite ham soup recipes. If you have a lot of leftover ham to get through, you can also freeze it. Soups tend to simmer for a while, so you can usually add the frozen ham directly to the soup pot, and it’ll thaw and heat through by the time the soup is finished.

How do I use a ham bone in soup?

Our favorite way to use ham bone in soup is to make broth—similar to chicken broth but with ham instead of chicken. Trim any large pieces of meat from the bone and save them to add to your soup. Then, simmer the ham bone in water with celery, carrots, onions and aromatic herbs to make a rich, smoky stock. If you don’t have a ham bone to work with, you can also use a smoked ham hock. The hocks are meatier than ham bones, so make sure to save the meat after simmering the ham broth.

Also, if you want to stick to chicken soups, you can try these instant pot chicken soup recipes.

How do I make a ham soup that isn’t too salty?

Ham can add a lot of saltiness to soup, so the key is to consider the salt level of the other ingredients to ensure a balanced soup. Because once the salt is in the soup, there’s no way to remove it! It’s a good idea to use low-sodium or unsalted broth, and we also like to rinse canned ingredients, like beans, to remove extra sodium.

If your soup does turn out too salty, consider adding potatoes or pasta to the soup. Starchy ingredients will absorb some of the salt. You can also dilute the soup by adding more water or unsalted broth.

Next, explore these crockpot chicken soup recipes to easily prepare a delicious meal.