Delicious Ham and Potato Soup

Delicious Ham and Potato Soup is the kind of cozy, creamy soup that feels like a warm hug in a bowl. Made with tender potatoes, diced cooked ham, celery, onion, chicken bouillon, butter, flour, and milk, this simple soup is hearty, comforting, and easy to make in about 40 minutes.

What makes this recipe special? It is a great way to use up cooked ham, and it is flexible enough to handle simple add-ins like carrots or extra ham. The potatoes make it filling, the ham adds savory flavor, and the creamy milk mixture gives the soup a smooth, rich finish.

This recipe is perfect for chilly nights, leftover ham, easy family dinners, cozy lunches, or anytime you want a simple homemade soup that tastes comforting and familiar.

Why You’ll Love This Delicious Ham and Potato Soup

Why are creamy potato soups always such a comfort food favorite? Because they are warm, hearty, and satisfying without needing complicated ingredients.

This Delicious Ham and Potato Soup is packed with diced potatoes, cooked ham, celery, onion, and a creamy broth. It is simple enough for a weeknight but cozy enough to feel special.

I love how easy it is to customize. Add carrots, use extra ham, season it to taste, or make it thicker depending on how you like your soup.

The secret weapon? The butter, flour, and milk mixture. It thickens the soup and gives it that creamy, comforting texture without making the recipe difficult.

Delicious Ham and Potato Soup Time and Servings

Prep Time

20 minutes

Cook Time

20 minutes

Total Time

40 minutes

Servings

8

Yield

8 cups

What Ingredients Are in Delicious Ham and Potato Soup?

This recipe uses simple, classic soup ingredients to create a creamy ham and potato soup with lots of comforting flavor.

You’ll need:

3 ½ cups peeled and diced potatoes
3 ¼ cups water
¾ cup diced cooked ham
⅓ cup diced celery
⅓ cup finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons chicken bouillon granules
1 teaspoon ground white or black pepper, or to taste
½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
5 tablespoons butter
5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk

Ingredient Notes

Peeled and diced potatoes create the hearty base of the soup and become tender as they simmer.

Water helps cook the potatoes, ham, celery, and onion.

Diced cooked ham adds savory flavor and makes the soup more filling.

Celery adds mild crunch and classic soup flavor.

Finely chopped onion gives the soup a savory base and a little sweetness.

Chicken bouillon granules add depth and help flavor the broth.

White or black pepper adds warmth and seasoning.

Salt balances the flavor, but you can adjust it depending on how salty your ham and bouillon are.

Butter creates the base for the creamy thickener.

All-purpose flour thickens the milk mixture and helps give the soup body.

Milk makes the soup creamy and smooth.

How to Make Delicious Ham and Potato Soup

This soup comes together in two simple parts: simmering the potatoes and ham, then stirring in a creamy milk mixture.

Combine the Soup Ingredients

In a stockpot, combine the peeled and diced potatoes, water, diced cooked ham, diced celery, and finely chopped onion.

Stir everything together.

Simmer Until Tender

Bring the mixture to a boil.

Reduce the heat and simmer over medium heat until the potatoes are tender, about 10 to 15 minutes.

Season the Soup

Stir in the chicken bouillon granules, pepper, and salt.

Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Make the Creamy Milk Mixture

In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low heat.

Add the flour and cook, stirring, until thick, about 1 minute.

Add the Milk

Whisk the milk into the butter and flour mixture.

Cook and stir until thickened, about 4 to 5 minutes.

Combine the Soup and Cream Mixture

Pour the thickened milk mixture into the stockpot with the potatoes, ham, celery, and onion.

Stir until everything is combined.

Warm Through

Cook and stir until the soup is warmed through and creamy.

Serve and Enjoy

Ladle the soup into bowls.

Serve warm and enjoy.

Why This Ham and Potato Soup Works

This soup works because it keeps the ingredients simple and lets each one do its job.

The potatoes make the soup hearty. The ham adds smoky, savory flavor. The celery and onion bring classic soup flavor, while the creamy milk mixture makes everything smooth and comforting.

It is easy, filling, and flexible enough to adjust with whatever you have on hand.

How to Make Ham and Potato Soup Creamy

The creamy texture comes from the butter, flour, and milk mixture.

Cooking the flour in melted butter first helps remove any raw flour taste. Whisking in the milk creates a smooth, thick mixture that blends into the soup and gives it body.

For the smoothest soup, whisk well and stir often.

How Do You Know When the Potatoes Are Done?

The potatoes are done when they are tender enough to pierce easily with a fork.

Try not to overcook them, or they may begin to break apart too much.

A few soft edges are fine, though, because they help thicken the soup naturally.

Can You Add More Ham?

Yes, you can add extra ham if you want a heartier soup.

This recipe is a great way to use leftover cooked ham, and adding more can make the soup even more satisfying.

Just keep in mind that ham can be salty, so taste before adding extra salt.

Can You Make Delicious Ham and Potato Soup Ahead of Time?

Yes, this soup can be made ahead.

Cook the soup, let it cool, and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, stirring well before serving.

How to Store Ham and Potato Soup

Store ham and potato soup in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator.

It will keep well for up to 4 days.

Let the soup cool before storing, and reheat only the amount you plan to serve.

Can You Freeze Ham and Potato Soup?

Freezing this ham and potato soup is not recommended.

Potatoes can become grainy after thawing, and dairy-based soups may separate during freezing, thawing, and reheating.

For the best texture, enjoy this soup fresh or refrigerated within a few days.

How to Reheat Ham and Potato Soup

Reheat the soup in the microwave or on the stove.

If reheating on the stove, warm it over low to medium-low heat and stir often.

If the soup has thickened in the refrigerator, add a splash of milk or water to loosen it.

What to Serve With Delicious Ham and Potato Soup

Ham and Potato Soup is hearty enough to serve on its own, but it also pairs well with simple sides.

Serve it with crusty bread, dinner rolls, biscuits, cornbread, a green salad, roasted vegetables, garlic bread, crackers, or a grilled cheese sandwich.

For toppings, try shredded cheese, chopped green onions, black pepper, parsley, or crispy bacon.

Delicious Ham and Potato Soup Substitutions and Variations

One of the best things about this soup is how easy it is to customize.

Add Carrots

Diced carrots add color, sweetness, and extra vegetables.

Add Extra Ham

Use more cooked ham if you want a meatier soup.

Add Cheese

Stir in shredded cheddar cheese near the end for a cheesy ham and potato soup.

Use Black Pepper

Black pepper gives the soup a stronger peppery bite.

Use White Pepper

White pepper gives a milder flavor and blends smoothly into creamy soups.

Add Corn

Corn adds sweetness and texture.

Add Garlic

A little minced garlic adds extra savory flavor.

Make It Thicker

Use slightly less milk or simmer the soup a little longer after adding the creamy mixture.

Make It Thinner

Add more milk, water, or broth until the soup reaches your desired consistency.

Nutrition Facts Per Serving

Calories: 236
Fat: 10g
Carbs: 30g
Protein: 8g

Final Thoughts

Delicious Ham and Potato Soup is creamy, hearty, easy, and full of comforting flavor. With diced potatoes, cooked ham, celery, onion, chicken bouillon, butter, flour, and milk, this recipe turns simple ingredients into a warm bowl of homemade soup.

Serve it with bread, rolls, salad, or your favorite toppings. This is the kind of cozy soup recipe that is perfect for using leftover ham and warming up any day of the week.