Published: October 8, 2025 | Updated: October 18, 2025
This Ham and Potato Soup is my go-to recipe when I want something creamy, flavorful, and filling with minimal effort. Using simple ingredients like potatoes, along with chunks of savory ham, this dish delivers the ultimate comfort food that the whole family will love.
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Growing up in the South, it was customary in my family to use ham bones or smoked pork meat to build flavor from the very beginning. Unlike other recipes on the internet that rely on plain chicken broth, this version has a true Southern pork flare that calls for neckbones simmered low and slow to create a rich, smoky broth with incredible depth of flavor. With the creamy smoky broth in this soup, tender potatoes, and chunks of ham, this delicious soup feels like a warm hug in a bowl, the kind of meal that instantly takes you home.
WATCH: Ham and Potato Soup Video Tutorial
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Perfect for busy weeknights or a cold winter day.
- Creamy, cozy, and filling: The blend of milk, butter, and flour creates a smooth base that makes this a creamy soup without being heavy.
- A great way to use leftovers: This recipe is a delicious way to make use of leftover ham or even a meaty ham bone.
- Simple ingredients, big flavor: With everyday items from the grocery store, you’ll get the best results and a rich depth of flavor.
- Flexible: Works with different potato varieties—Yukon golds, russet potatoes, or red potatoes.
What Does Ham and Potato Soup Taste Like?
This creamy ham soup is rich yet balanced, with the perfect blend of savory and slightly smoky ham paired with buttery, fork-tender potatoes. The onions, celery, and garlic give it a warm depth of flavor and texture, while the smooth, creamy broth ties everything together. It’s a delicious soup that tastes like it simmered all day, but without all the effort.
Ingredients for Creamy Ham and Potato Soup Recipe
Here’s what you’ll need to make this cozy soup recipe:
- 4 cups diced Yukon gold potatoes (1.5 lbs)
- 3 1/4 cups water
- 3 smoked pork neck bones (or substitute with a ham hock or ham bone for depth of flavor)
- 1 1/2 cups ham, diced (about 8 oz)
- 1/2 cup diced celery (1 stalk celery)
- 3/4 cup diced yellow onions, finely diced (1/2 medium onion)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 8 tbsp salted butter, divided
- 5 tbsp all-purpose flour (to create a quick roux)
- 2 cups warm milk (2% or whole milk for a creamier soup)
- 3/4 tsp black pepper
- 3/4 tsp salt (adjust as needed)
Optional Garnishes:
- Chopped bacon
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Chopped green onions
- Sour cream
How to Cook Ham and Potato Soup
After chopping all vegetables and ham for this recipe, you can make this flavorful soup in just four easy steps:
STEP 1: Make the Broth – In a large dutch oven or stockpot, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add onions and celery, stirring until the onions begin to sweat. Add garlic until fragrant, then pour in 3 1/4 cups of water along with the pork neck bones and diced ham. Bring to a boil and simmer for 30 minutes to create a rich, flavorful broth.
STEP 2: Cook the Potatoes – Add the diced potatoes to the pot and continue cooking until the potatoes are fork tender.
STEP 3: Create the Cream Base – In a separate saucepan, melt 5 tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in 5 tablespoons of flour to form a roux, then slowly stir in 2 cups of milk. Cook until thickened, then season with salt and pepper.
STEP 4: Combine and Serve – Remove the neck bones from the broth and slowly stir in the creamy roux mixture. Let the soup simmer for about 5 minutes until it reaches your desired consistency. Ladle into bowls and garnish with chopped bacon, shredded cheese, green onions, or a dollop of sour cream.
What to Serve with Ham and Potato Soup
This ham soup pairs perfectly with:
- Warm crusty bread or biscuits (great for soaking up the creamy broth).
- A fresh side salad
- Roasted Vegetables like carrots or broccoli for balance.
How to Store Ham and Potato Soup
Leftovers are a great option for easy meals throughout the week.
- Allow the soup to cool to room temperature before storing.
- Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a splash of milk or broth to loosen the texture if needed.
- For longer storage, freeze in freezer-safe bags or containers for up to 2 months.
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FAQ
What kind of potatoes are best for potato soup?
I love Yukon golds for their buttery texture, but russet potatoes and red potatoes are also great choices. You can even mix all three for the best flavor.
Can I make this soup gluten-free?
Absolutely! Swap the flour for cornstarch to make a cornstarch slurry and stir it in at the end.
Do I need heavy cream for this soup?
You don’t have to, but if you want an even creamier soup, substitute part of the milk with heavy cream for richness.
What if I don’t have pork neck bones?
No problem! You can use a ham hock, ham bone, or chicken stock instead to create a flavorful base.
Ham and Potato Soup
Ingredients
- 4 cups Yukon Gold Potatoes, diced (1.5 lbs)
- 3 1/4 cups Water
- 3 Smoked Pork Neck Bones
- 1 1/2 cups Ham, diced (8 oz)
- 1/2 cup Celery, diced (1 Celery Rib)
- 3/4 cup Onions, diced (1/2 medium onion)
- 2 Garlic Cloves, minced
- 8 tbsp Salted Butter
- 5 tbsp All-Purpose Flour
- 2 cups Milk warmed
- Salt & Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep vegetables by cleaning and dicing celery and onions. Peel and dice potatoes. Set aside. Mince garlic and set aside. Dice leftover cooked ham, set aside.
- In a large dutch oven or stockpot, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add onions and celery, stirring until the onions begin to sweat. Add garlic until fragrant, then pour in 3 1/4 cups of water along with the pork neck bones and diced ham. Bring to a boil and simmer for 30 minutes to create a rich, flavorful pork broth.
- Add diced potatoes to the pot and continue cooking until the potatoes are fork tender. In a separate saucepan, melt 5 tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in 5 tablespoons of flour to form a roux, then slowly stir in 2 cups of milk. Cook until thickened, then season with salt and pepper.
- Remove the neck bones from the broth and slowly stir in the creamy roux mixture. Let the soup simmer for about 5 minutes until it reaches your desired consistency. Ladle into bowls and garnish with your favorite toppings such as chopped bacon, shredded cheese, green onions, or a dollop of sour cream. Enjoy!
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If you make this Ham and Potato Soup, I’d love to see your cozy creations! Tag me on Instagram @ElicitFolio or leave a comment below to share how it turned out. Don’t forget to follow Elicit Folio on Pinterest for more comforting soups, easy weeknight dinners, and seasonal recipes to warm your table.
It’s raining a lot lately. Savory Ham and Potato Soup look so good. It’s perfect for the rainy season.
Oh my goodness, this used to be one of my favorite soups to make back when I still ate pork and beef! The kids always loved it, and it’s so hearty, perfect for the fall season. I might just have to make a pot of this over the weekend for them. It looks absolutely delicious!
I’m so in love with this! I make ham all year long, and this is such a great way to use up the leftovers!
This is the perfect winter soup. I make ham all fall and winter long. I can’t wait to use my leftovers for this.
This hearty Ham and Potato Soup is a comforting Southern classic, simmered to perfection with smoky pork neckbones and tender potatoes, offering a rich, flavorful broth that’s both creamy and satisfying.
This sounds like such a yummy hearty and comforting soup. I would love to try making it myself!
This soup was creamy and delicious perfection. This was my first time trying ham in a potato soup, and I really liked it!
I love potato soup. My mom used to make it for us when we were younger, especially when we didn’t feel well. Some families had chicken noodle, but she always made homemade potato soup with big chunks of onions and plenty of cheese.
I made this on a chilly night and it was pure comfort in a bowl. Creamy, hearty, and full of flavor!
such a soulful food. perfect for gloomy weather.. shared with family and close friends..
We tried this yesterday and the kids loved it! I love how simple the ingredients are. Thank you for sharing the recipe. Added this to our regular menu at home.