Transform Leftover Ham Bones into Delicious Soups

When the ham has been carved and the holiday table cleared, you’re often left wondering – now what to do with the leftover ham bone? Luckily, ham bones can be easily transformed into rich and savory soups, extracting every bit of flavor. The possibilities are endless, but these soup ideas are sure to become favorite ham bone recipes

Slow Cooker Ham Bone Soup

The slow cooker makes ham bone soup a completely fuss-free process. Simply toss the bone into a slow cooker with aromatics, beans, vegetables, and broth. After a long simmer, the meat will easily fall off the bone into the soup. Some tasty slow cooker ham bone soup options include:

• Split Pea Soup – Classic, hearty, and perfectly balanced The peas break down and thicken the broth

• Bean Soup – Try white beans, lentils, or chickpeas simmered with the bone.

• Vegetable Soup – Build a soup around the bone with potatoes, carrots celery onions, etc.

• Potato Soup – For a creamy texture, use bone broth as the base.

Nourishing Broths and Stocks from Ham Bones

Another simple way to capture flavor from a ham bone is by simmering it to make a mineral-rich broth or stock. This transforms the bone into a versatile kitchen staple with many uses:

• Sip the bone broth as a nourishing hot drink

• Use as the base for bean, vegetable, or grain soups

• Cook rice, quinoa, or oatmeal in ham bone broth

• Deglaze pans with ham bone stock when making sauces or gravy

• Add richness and savoriness to braised meat dishes

Classic Ham and Potato Soup

This classic recipe puts ham bone to perfect use. Simmer the bone with aromatics to create a savory broth. Cook potatoes until tender, then shred and add ham meat back in. The result is a comforting, hearty soup.

Other soup options in this homestyle vein include ham and bean soup, ham and lentil soup, and ham and veggie soup.

International Ham Bone Soup Inspiration

Looking to branch out? Ham bones can be used to create soups with diverse cultural influences:

• Ham and Corn Chowder – Thick and comforting like the American classic.

• Portuguese Caldo Verde – Shredded collard greens and chunky potatoes in ham broth.

• Vietnamese Pho – Rice noodles in mildly spiced, aromatic ham bone broth.

• Ham Bone Ramen – Japanese wheat noodles with ham flavor as the base.

• Ham Bone Tortilla Soup – Bold Southwestern flavors.

Tips for Maximizing Flavor From Ham Bones

Follow these tips to make the most of your ham bones for soup making:

• Use fresh bones within 3-5 days for optimal flavor. Freeze if needing to store longer.

• Add bones to cold water and slowly bring to a simmer to coax out flavors.

• Simmer bones for 8-10 hours in a slow cooker or 1-2 hours on the stovetop.

• Keep some meat attached to the bones for added flavor and texture.

• Roast bones at 400°F for 30 minutes before simmering to enhance depth.

• Flavor broth with aromatics like onions, carrots, celery, garlic, and herbs.

Answers to Common Ham Bone Soup Questions

If you’re new to cooking with ham bones, here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

How long can I store ham bones for making soup?
Refrigerate fresh bones for 3-5 days or freeze for 4-6 months.

Is it necessary to add other meat to ham bone soup?
No, but you can add chopped ham, bacon, sausage, etc. for extra protein.

What vegetables work well in ham bone soup?
Onions, carrots, celery, potato, sweet potato, spinach, kale, beans, peas, corn.

Should I remove the ham bone before serving the soup?
Yes, remove and discard bones once the meat has fallen off in the soup.

Can I use a smoked or unsmoked bone for soup?
You can use either! Smoke adds nice depth.

Savor Every Last Bit of Your Holiday Ham

Simmering ham bones transforms leftover holiday hams into nutritious, delicious soups your whole family will love. Make good use of these bones before the flavor goes to waste!