Ham Bone Soup Recipe

This Slow Cooker Ham Bone Soup is the easiest and most delicious way to turn your leftover ham bone it into a hearty soup with zero fuss.

After enjoying a big juicy Baked Bone-In Ham Recipe, don’t let your leftover ham bone go to waste. Turn it into something incredible: Ham Bone Soup.

It starts with a rich broth made from the meaty bone, slowly simmered with herbs and veggies to create a flavor-packed base. Finish with some chunks of leftover ham, and sautéed veggies and you’ve got a hearty, satisfying soup that’s just begging to be slurped down.

Each spoonful is full of comforting, savory goodness that’s both filling and nutritious. You can just feel how good it is for you.

This is one of my slow cooker recipes and super easy soups. The secret is the ham bone—slowly cooking it releases all that rich, smoky flavor into the broth, creating something that’s hard to match in any other soup. And as you taste it, you get that wonderful balance of meaty, earthy flavors from the ham, sweetness from the vegetables, and a little kick from garlic and herbs.

If you’re a fan of rich, homemade broths, you’ll definitely want to check out my post on How to Make Beef Bone Broth (And Why It’s Good for You)—it’s packed with tips for making your own nutritious, flavorful broth from scratch!

Also be sure to try my Roast Lamb Bone Soup, wholesome Chicken Soup made with a whole chicken, and the ultimate Hearty Gluten Free Chicken Noodle Soup—each one for cozying up with a bowl full of goodness.

And the best part? This soup is incredibly versatile. You can swap out the veggies for whatever you’ve got in your kitchen. It’s the kind of recipe that you can make your own every time you make it, which is part of why I love it so much. 

Ready to turn that leftover ham bone into something truly flavorful? Here are the simple steps to make this delicious Ham Bone Soup!

Instructions

*Free printable recipe card is available at the end of the post.

Alright, first thing’s first—grab that ham bone. Toss it into your slow cooker, along with an onion, some carrots, garlic, a couple of sprigs of fresh herbs, a bay leaf, a few peppercorns, and a splash of vinegar.

The vinegar helps draw out all those rich flavors from the bone, so don’t skip it!

Now, fill your slow cooker with filtered water, just enough to cover everything, and set it on low. You’re going to let it simmer for at least 12 hours. Yes, it’s a bit of a wait, but trust me, it’s worth it. The longer it simmers, the richer the broth will be, so go ahead and let it cook overnight or while you’re out running errands.

Once your broth is done, it’s time to strain it. Use a fine mesh strainer to remove the bone and veggies. You’re left with this beautifully rich, smoky ham bone broth that’s just begging to be turned into soup.

For the Finished Soup

Now, once you’ve got that liquid gold (aka the ham bone broth), you’re going to want to skim off any fat that’s floated to the top. It’s pretty easy to do with a spoon—just gently scoop off the layer of fat. Give the broth a taste and add salt to your liking. You’ll probably need a teaspoon, but I always say, taste as you go.

Next, heat a little oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add your onions and carrots and sauté them for about 10 minutes until they’re nice and soft. You want them to get a little golden and tender. Once they’re softened, throw in your garlic and cook for another minute or so, just until that garlic smells amazing.

Then, here comes the best part: add those sautéed onions, carrots, and garlic right into your ham broth, along with diced leftover ham. Stir it all together and let it simmer for about 2 minutes, just long enough for everything to heat through and marry those flavors together.

Taste again, adjust any seasonings if needed, and you’re ready to serve! Ladle it into bowls and dig in! You’re going to love this hearty, comforting bowl of soup.

Storage Tip

If you happen to have leftovers (lucky you!), this soup stores beautifully in jars in the fridge for a few days. Just make sure to let it cool completely before storing, and when you’re ready to reheat, it’ll taste like you just made it fresh!

The fat will solidify on top of the soup as it chills, so just skim it off with a slotted spoon before reheating.

Serving suggestions

Honestly, this soup is delicious on its own. But if you want to make it extra special, serve it with some Quick Crusty Garlic Bread or a warm Grilled Gluten Free Corn Muffin on the side. If you’re low carb like I am, try these Keto Dinner Rolls.

You can even top it with a garnish of fresh herbs or a little shredded cheese. Or red pepper flakes if you like a bit of heat. It’s a great meal to enjoy on a cold day.

Pro tips and recipe notes

Can I add other vegetables to the soup? Definitely! This recipe is super flexible, and you can add whatever veggies you like. Potatoes, celery, or parsnips would all be great additions. Just sauté any extra veggies along with the carrots and onions to make sure they’re nice and soft before adding them to the broth. Some folks like to add beans.

Can I use a store-bought ham bone if I don’t have leftovers? Yes, absolutely! If you don’t have a leftover ham bone from a big meal, you can buy one from the store. Some butchers sell them, or you can find them in the meat section at most grocery stores. 

Can I freeze the soup? Yes, absolutely! This soup freezes really well. Just let it cool completely, and be careful to use freezer safe jars as jars can sometimes break due to the expansion that happens when food is frozen. It’ll stay fresh for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, just thaw it in the fridge overnight and reheat it on the stove. 

There’s just something about a warm bowl of Ham Bone Soup! The slow-cooked broth, savory ham, and fresh vegetables come together in a way that makes every spoonful feel like a little celebration. And if you’re anything like me, you’ll find that it only gets better after a day or two in the fridge. So go ahead—make a big pot and savor the flavors for days to come. Enjoy!

More leftover ham recipes

Gluten Free Ham Tetrazzini Casserole– Transform your leftover ham into a gourmet meal. With hints of sherry, nutmeg, and savory mushrooms, it’s a dish that’s sure to be a winner.

Cheesy Cauliflower With Ham Casserole – This nutritious cheesy cauliflower with ham casserole comes together in a snap!

Frittata With Ham – Indulge in a flavorful frittata showcasing the richness of bite-sized ham, the sweetness of sautéed onions, and the subtle aroma of garlic, harmoniously blended with creamy eggs, and Parmesan cheese.

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Ham Bone Soup Recipe

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This Slow Cooker Ham Bone Soup is the easiest and most delicious way to turn your leftover ham bone it into a hearty soup with zero fuss.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 12 hours hours

Servings 12

Calories 22kcal

Author Barbara Bianchi

Ingredients

For bone broth

• 1 leftover ham bone
• 1 onion
• 2 carrots
• 2 cloves garlic
• handful parsley
• 1 bay leaf
• 8 peppercorns
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

For finished soup

• 1 1/2 cups leftover ham diced
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 onion diced
• 2 carrots peeled and diced
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

For bone broth

• Add ham bone, onion, carrots, garlic, rosemary, bay leaf, peppercorns, and vinegar to your slow cooker. Cover with water and set on low for 12 hours.
  1 leftover ham bone, 1 onion, 2 carrots, 2 cloves garlic, handful parsley, 1 bay leaf, 8 peppercorns, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• After your broth is cooked, Strain out and discard the bone and vegetables.

For finished soup

• Skim fat off the top of your broth. Season with salt.
  1 teaspoon salt
• Add oil to a large skillet. Caramelize onions and carrots (about 10 minutes). Add garlic and cook for one more minute.
  1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, 1 onion, 2 carrots, 3 cloves garlic
• Add diced leftover ham along with sautéed onions, carrots, and garlic to your ham broth. Adjust seasonings and simmer for 2 minutes until heated through. Serve and enjoy.
  1 1/2 cups leftover ham

Notes

Can I add other vegetables to the soup? Definitely! This recipe is super flexible, and you can add whatever veggies you like. Potatoes, celery, parsnips, or even a handful of kale or spinach at the end would all be great additions. Just sauté any extra veggies along with the carrots and onions to make sure they’re nice and soft before adding them to the broth. Some folks like to add beans.

Can I use a store-bought ham bone if I don’t have leftovers? Yes, absolutely! If you don’t have a leftover ham bone from a big meal, you can buy one from the store. Some butchers sell them, or you can find them in the meat section at most grocery stores. 

Can I freeze the soup? Yes, absolutely! This soup freezes really well. Just let it cool completely, and be careful to use freezer safe jars as jars can sometimes break due to the expansion that happens when food is frozen. It’ll stay fresh for up to 3 months. When you're ready to eat, just thaw it in the fridge overnight and reheat it on the stove. You might want to skim off any fat that solidifies during freezing, but it’s still going to be delicious.

Nutrition

Calories: 22kcal | Carbohydrates: 0.5g | Protein: 2.3g

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