Homemade Ham Bone Soup - Use the leftovers from a whole ham to make a delicious homemade soup of ham stock and lots of veggies!
It's getting to be that time of year when everyone starts to think of soups and stews. The leaves are just on the verge of turning. There's even an occasional morning when the temperature is noticeably cooler and the air less humid.
Days like these make us all start wanting to settle in for cooler weather, don't they? And one of the best things about cool weather is the change in menu. Now, I really, really enjoy all the fresh veggies and wonderful salads that are so great in hot weather, but I always look forward to changing gears a little bit when Fall comes around.
Of course, everyone has had chicken-vegetable soup, right? And, beef with vegetables, too. But have you ever had ham soup? Yes, that's right, soup made with the broth cooked from a meaty leftover ham bone. If you never have, then please let me introduce you!
How to Make Homemade Ham Bone Soup
First and most importantly, this recipe makes a LOT of soup, so go find the largest pot you have in your kitchen. Really. You know the one that's in the very back of the cabinet because you never use it but you know you'll need it one day? Yes, that one. Go ahead, I'll wait.
Now, see the hambone in the picture up there? That was the leftovers from either Easter or Thanksgiving or maybe last Tuesday, I don't remember. Whenever it was, I just threw that whole thing in a sturdy ziplog bag and tossed it in the freezer. Why? Because to me the soup from a leftover ham bone is way better than the ham was the first time around! It's so homey, warm and satisfying. Perfect for any time of year. So, let's get started.
This is by no means an exact recipe where you have to count out or measure every little ingredient. Just play with it! Use whatever you like best, but this is my basic recipe.
Place your ham bone in a large pot with enough water to come ½ to ¾ up the hunk of meat (well, I don't know what else to call it!). Bring it to a boil, lower the heat to a simmer, cover and cook for 1 ½ to 2 hours.
At the end of the cooking time, this is what you're going to have. A pot full of very tasty, very fragrant ham stock. Remove the bone from the stock and let it cool enough so that you can handle it. Then cut all the ham that you can off the bone and return it to the pot with the stock. You can throw away the actual bone now. It has done its duty; given up its essence to the soup pot.
Now, dice the onion and celery and add them to the pot. Add the diced tomatoes, lima beans (actually butter beans are better if you have them), potatoes and corn. Add salt and pepper to taste. I used a good tablespoon of salt because that's a huge pot of soup to season.
Bring the whole thing to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for approximately 1 hour or until the vegetables are tender.
p.s. - I would have put some frozen sliced okra in this for the last 30 minutes, but the pot was too full!
I like to serve this with some good garlic bread or corn muffins.
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Homemade Ham Bone Soup
Ingredients
- 1 meaty bone leftover from a large ham
- 1 large onion
- 2 ribs celery diced
- 29 ounces canned diced tomatoes
- 1 pound frozen baby lima beans
- 2 potatoes peeled and diced
- 2 cups frozen whole kernel corn
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Place ham bone in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Lower heat to a simmer, cover and cook for 1 ½ to 2 hours.
- Remove the bone from the stock. Cut ham off the bone and return the ham to the pot with the stock. Dice the onion and celery and add them to the pot. Add diced tomatoes, lima beans, potatoes and corn. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Bring to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for approximately 1 hour or until vegetables are tender.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your health care provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.
More Ham Soup Recipes ...
- Ham and Cabbage Soup from Gimme Some Oven
- Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Soup from Dinner Then Dessert
- Nana's Epic Navy Bean Ham Bone Soup from A Spicy Perspective
- Leftover Ham Bone Soup with Potatoes and Cabbage from Skinny Taste
Sharon Renaud says
My mother used to make a soup in the summer when tomatoes, corn and okra were all ripe in the garden at the same time. I THINK that was all that was in the soup - no meat or oil at all. It tasted so fresh - like summer in a bowl. Can you tell me anything about this recipe? Did you ever have it? Thanks!
Lana Stuart says
Sounds like a really tasty vegetable soup, Sharon. Soup recipes are so easy to just "wing it." I'd start with a flavorful chicken broth and add any fresh vegetables available. Season well with onion, salt, pepper. Great way to use up your leftovers.
gloria patterson says
I make something like this I use hominy instead of potatoes
Ashley says
One generous pot of ham stock quickly became two heaping dutch ovens of soup once the veggies were added. I followed the recipe but allowed some room for fresh cut carrots and frozen cut green beans. It's a wonderful soup. This is Ham Stew to my family.
Wendy says
I can't wait to try this!!! Well at least until this comment is done...off to raid the vegetable garden...How did you know I grow all that?
Nicole says
This reminds me of my grandmother's lima bean soup! So delicious!