Ham and Potato Soup Recipe

Ham: Diced ham adds a savory and slightly smoky flavor to the soup.

Potatoes: Diced potatoes provide a hearty and filling base for the soup.

Onions: Diced onions add a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor.

Chicken broth: Chicken broth serves as the flavorful liquid base for the soup.

Milk: Milk adds creaminess to the soup, making it rich and smooth.

Butter: Butter is used to sauté the onions and create a roux for thickening the soup.

Flour: Flour is combined with butter to make a roux, which thickens the soup.

Salt: Salt enhances the overall flavor of the soup.

Pepper: Pepper adds a bit of heat and depth to the soup's flavor.

When making this ham and potato soup, ensure that the butter is fully melted and hot before adding the onions. This will help the onions cook evenly and become translucent without burning. Additionally, when you stir in the flour, make sure to cook it for the full 1-2 minutes to eliminate any raw flour taste and to create a smooth roux. This will help thicken the soup and give it a rich, creamy texture.

• diced ham - Substitute with diced turkey: Turkey provides a similar texture and flavor profile, making it a suitable alternative for those avoiding pork.

• diced ham - Substitute with smoked tofu: For a vegetarian option, smoked tofu offers a similar smoky flavor and protein content.

• diced potatoes - Substitute with cauliflower florets: Cauliflower can mimic the texture of potatoes while reducing the carbohydrate content.

• diced potatoes - Substitute with sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes add a different flavor and a boost of vitamins and fiber.

• diced onions - Substitute with leeks: Leeks provide a milder onion flavor and can add a subtle sweetness to the soup.

• diced onions - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a more delicate and slightly sweeter flavor compared to regular onions.

• chicken broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth is a great option for vegetarians and provides a similar depth of flavor.

• chicken broth - Substitute with beef broth: Beef broth can add a richer, more robust flavor to the soup.

• milk - Substitute with coconut milk: Coconut milk adds a creamy texture and a hint of sweetness, suitable for those who are lactose intolerant.

• milk - Substitute with almond milk: Almond milk is a lower-calorie, dairy-free alternative that still provides creaminess.

• butter - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil is a healthier fat option and can provide a slightly different but pleasant flavor.

• butter - Substitute with margarine: Margarine is a non-dairy alternative that can mimic the texture and function of butter.

• flour - Substitute with cornstarch: Cornstarch can be used as a thickening agent and is gluten-free.

• flour - Substitute with arrowroot powder: Arrowroot powder is another gluten-free thickening agent that works well in soups.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty and umami flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the soup.

• pepper - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper adds a bit of heat and a different flavor profile to the soup.

• Allow the ham and potato soup to cool to room temperature before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can lead to a watery soup.

• Transfer the soup into airtight containers. For easy portioning, consider using individual serving-sized containers.

• If you plan to consume the soup within a few days, store it in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to 3-4 days.

• For longer storage, freeze the soup. Pour it into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Leave some space at the top of the container or bag to allow for expansion as the soup freezes.

• Label the containers or bags with the date and contents. This will help you keep track of how long the soup has been stored and ensure you use it within a safe timeframe.

• When ready to reheat, thaw the soup in the refrigerator overnight if frozen. This gradual thawing helps maintain the texture and flavor of the potatoes and ham.

• Reheat the soup on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally. You can also reheat it in the microwave, but be sure to stir it halfway through to ensure even heating.

• If the soup appears too thick after reheating, add a splash of milk or chicken broth to reach your desired consistency.

• Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed before serving.

• For stovetop reheating:

  1. Pour the leftover ham and potato soup into a medium-sized pot.
  2. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  3. Once the soup is heated through, adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
  4. Serve hot and enjoy the comforting flavors.

• For microwave reheating:

  1. Transfer the soup to a microwave-safe bowl.
  2. Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe lid or a microwave-safe plate to prevent splatters.
  3. Heat on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.
  4. Check the temperature and heat for an additional 1-2 minutes if necessary.
  5. Let it sit for a minute before serving to allow the heat to distribute evenly.

• For oven reheating:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Pour the leftover soup into an oven-safe dish.
  3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to retain moisture.
  4. Heat in the oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until the soup is thoroughly heated.
  5. Stir the soup halfway through the heating process to ensure even warming.
  6. Serve hot, savoring each spoonful of the hearty ham and potato goodness.

• For slow cooker reheating:

  1. Transfer the leftover ham and potato soup to your slow cooker.
  2. Set the slow cooker to the low setting.
  3. Heat for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating.
  4. Once the soup is hot, adjust the seasoning if necessary.
  5. Serve directly from the slow cooker, keeping it on the warm setting to enjoy throughout the meal.

• Large pot: A large pot is essential for cooking the soup, allowing enough space for all the ingredients to simmer together.

• Wooden spoon: A wooden spoon is ideal for stirring the ingredients without scratching the pot.

• Knife: A sharp knife is necessary for dicing the ham, potatoes, and onions.

• Cutting board: A cutting board provides a safe and clean surface for chopping the ingredients.

• Measuring cups: Measuring cups ensure you use the correct amount of ham, potatoes, onions, chicken broth, and milk.

• Measuring spoons: Measuring spoons help you accurately measure the butter and flour.

• Ladle: A ladle is useful for serving the soup into bowls.

• Peeler: A peeler can be used to peel the potatoes if desired.

• Whisk: A whisk helps in smoothly incorporating the flour into the butter and chicken broth.

Prep ingredients ahead: Dice the ham, potatoes, and onions the night before to save time.

Use pre-cooked ham: Opt for pre-cooked ham to cut down on cooking time.

Instant pot option: Use an Instant Pot to speed up the cooking process.

Microwave potatoes: Partially cook the potatoes in the microwave to reduce simmering time.

Pre-measure ingredients: Have all ingredients measured and ready to go before you start cooking.