Crockpot Leftover Ham Bone Soup Recipe

Use up leftover ham bones to make this delicious, effortless soup. The marrow from the bone gives the broth a rich flavor that is so smooth. Filled with potatoes and vegetables, this Ham Bone Soup is so filling. Keep this one on your radar around Easter and Christmas time!

Happy 2016! I always feel like this time of year should be smooth sailing, with fresh starts and resolutions and the end of the Christmas craziness. But it never is. At least not for me. The absolute, total CRAZINESS of the holiday season takes its toll.

Parties to attend, clothes to fit into, food to make, treats to prepare, houses to clean, presents to buy and wrap, decorations to put up and take down….repeat repeat repeat. It’s nuts! And it’s no wonder a lot of us feel a bit down and numb after it’s all done.

While we were with family last week, we made a ham. A delicious, glazed ham that I forgot to photograph. So I photographed its carcass while it made us a delicious soup. 🙂

HOW TO MAKE CROCK POT HAM BONE SOUP

STEP 1

Place the following ingredients into a 6-quart crock pot:

• 1 leftover cooked ham bone (preferably with a bit of meat still attached)
• Russet potatoes, peeled and cut into small cubes
• Carrots, peeled and sliced
• Corn
• Kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• Diced tomatoes
• Water + chicken Bouillon cubes

STEP 2

Cook on Low heat for 8-9 hours or High heat for 5-6 hours. One hour before soup is done, remove the ham bone and let cool on a cutting board for 15 minutes.

STEP 3

Remove the meat from the ham bone and add it to the crockpot. Discard bone. Serve when soup is warmed through.

RECIPE NOTES

• Replace the water and Bouillon cubes with two 32-oz. containers of chicken broth or stock, if desired.
• Russet potatoes can be replaced with any other variety of potatoes.
• Replace kidney beans with any variety you have on hand.
• Canned corn can be replaced with equal amounts of frozen corn.
• Ham hocks are not the same thing as ham bones, although ham hocks will still work with this recipe. You won’t get as much meat from the bone, but you’ll still get plenty of flavor from it. If you are unable to find a ham bone at the store, you’ll likely be able to find a ham hock or even a smoked ham hock (even better!).
• Add a bay leaf or two to the pot for an added touch of flavor. Just remember to pull it out before serving!

HOW TO FREEZE A HAM BONE

If you are the lucky recipient of a Christmas or Easter dinner ham bone, but you will not be able to use it in the following 3-4 days, freeze it! Place it in a resealable freezer bag and squeeze out as much air as you can before sealing it. Make sure the bag is completely sealed. You can double bag for an added measure of freshness.

HOW TO THAW A HAM BONE

I recommend thawing a ham bone before using it in a recipe, although it is possible to use a frozen ham bone when time is limited. Allow extra time for cooking if you use a frozen bone. When defrosting the bone first, place the entire plastic bag containing the bone in a bowl or sink filled with cold water until it has thawed. It can also defrost at room temperature or in the refrigerator, but will take more time.

OTHER WAYS TO USE UP A HAM BONE AND LEFTOVER HAM

• Use your leftover ham bone to make this comforting, hearty Ham Bone Soup in your Instant Pot! Pressure cooking this meal allows you to get dinner on the table in less than an hour and it tastes like it has been simmering in a slow cooker all day long. Packed with beans, potatoes and delicious flavor!
• Ham, split peas and an assortment of delicious carrots, peas and celery are the perfect combo in this hearty, comforting and traditional ham split pea soup. A truly savory soup will satisfy and fill you up. This is a great dinner option for leftover ham or a ham bone to give it a full flavorful broth, or both!
• These delicious, baked Hot Ham and Cheese Sandwiches are also known as Tailgate Sandwiches because they are the perfect game-day party fare. They are bursting with flavor and gooey cheese!
• These delicious ham and cheese pretzel bites are the PERFECT party or game day food! A ham and cheese combo are wrapped up perfectly in a salty and buttery crust to make the perfect finger food. Don’t be intimidated by the cooking process. It’s way easier than it looks! You will not be disappointed.