Mom's Best Recipes
Recipe

Creamy Ham and Potato Soup

Cozy, creamy, and packed with tender potatoes and savory ham, this is the kind of soup that makes the whole kitchen smell like dinner is handled.

Author By Matt Campbell
4.8
A steaming bowl of creamy ham and potato soup with visible potato chunks, diced ham, and chopped parsley on top, set on a rustic wooden table with a spoon nearby
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Ham and potato soup is my favorite kind of practical comfort food. It is the recipe equivalent of wearing a hoodie fresh out of the dryer. It uses regular ingredients, forgives you if your potato dice is a little chaotic, and somehow tastes even better the next day.

This version is creamy but not heavy, with a quick roux (butter + flour) to thicken the broth without turning it into paste. The trick is building flavor in layers: sauté the veggies, bloom the garlic, simmer the potatoes in broth, then finish with ham and dairy so nothing gets overcooked or grainy.

A kitchen counter with bowls of diced ham, peeled and cubed potatoes, chopped onion, sliced carrots, chopped celery, butter, flour, and a carton of chicken broth laid out for soup prep

Why It Works

  • Comforting texture: tender potatoes plus a silky, spoon-coating broth that stays creamy without needing canned soup.
  • Big flavor, low drama: the base veggies and a little Dijon add depth fast, even if your ham is mild.
  • Great use for leftovers: this is where leftover holiday ham goes to become a main character.
  • Easy to adjust: make it thicker, thinner, smokier, or lighter depending on what you have.

Pairs Well With

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Storage Tips

Refrigerate: Cool the soup quickly, then refrigerate within 2 hours (within 1 hour if it is very hot in your kitchen). Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Reheat: Warm gently on the stove over medium-low, stirring often. If it thickens a lot (it will), loosen with a splash of broth, water, or milk.

Freeze (best practice): You can freeze it, but creamy soups can separate slightly. For the smoothest results, freeze before adding milk and cream. Thaw, reheat to a gentle simmer, then stir in dairy at the end. Stored frozen, it is best within 2 to 3 months.

Two clear meal prep containers filled with ham and potato soup cooling on a kitchen counter with lids nearby

Common Questions

Can I make ham and potato soup without cream?

Yes. Swap the heavy cream for more milk, or use half-and-half. You can also skip cream entirely and finish with just milk. The roux still gives you that cozy, creamy vibe.

How do I thicken ham and potato soup?

This recipe thickens with a butter and flour roux. If you want it even thicker, mash some potatoes against the side of the pot, or blend 1 to 2 cups of soup and stir it back in.

Why did my soup turn gluey?

Usually it is a combo of overcooking, over-blending, and too much agitation once the potatoes start breaking down (especially with very starchy potatoes). Keep the simmer gentle and stir occasionally, not constantly. If you blend, do it briefly and only part of the pot.

What potatoes are best?

Yukon Gold gives a naturally creamy texture and holds together well. Russets break down more and thicken the soup, which is great if you like it extra hearty.

What kind of ham works best?

Leftover baked ham is perfect here. Deli ham works in a pinch, but it can get a little rubbery. If your ham is very sweet (like honey ham), the soup will lean sweeter too, so just keep that in mind.

Can I use a ham bone?

Absolutely. Simmer the ham bone in the broth for 20 to 30 minutes before adding potatoes, then remove it, pick off any meat, and add that back in near the end.

Is this soup gluten-free?

Not as written because of the flour. For gluten-free, skip the roux and thicken by blending some potatoes, or use a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon cold water, stirred in near the end). Let it simmer gently for 1 to 2 minutes to thicken.

I love recipes that feel like teamwork, even if the only other person in the kitchen is you, a cutting board, and a slightly aggressive onion. Ham and potato soup is exactly that vibe. It is practical and cozy, and it rewards you for doing the simple things well, like letting the veggies soften and tasting the broth before you add a bunch of salt. Also, it is one of the few meals where leftovers are not an afterthought. They are the plan.