The best thing about a joint of ham is all the leftovers and this leftover ham soup is undoubtedly one of the easiest and tastiest recipes to make with it. It's easy to adapt and perfect for a light healthy meal.
We love a joint of roast ham at Christmas. It's so good for easy meals as there are usually loads of leftovers and so much you can make with them. This leftover ham soup makes a great meal and is perfect for using up leftover gammon as well as for using up whatever vegetables you have left. I made this soup with the leftovers from this maple and mustard glazed ham.
Inevitably at Christmas I start to feel like I've overindulged. There comes a point when I look at all the sweets, cakes and chocolate and I don't want any of them. I crave healthy food and vegetables and even though I love sweet Christmas treats, I do sometimes feel the need for a little healthy boost in the middle of all the indulgence.
If that sounds familiar then this leftover gammon soup is perfect. It's hearty, healthy and full of vegetables. And if you can't resist the sweet treats then it'll leave you with plenty of room for dessert too!
What ingredients do you need for this ham soup?
To make this soup with leftover gammon or ham you'll need:
- Onion - A red or a brown onion is fine
- Vegetables: celery, carrot, courgette, red pepper - Feel free to vary these vegetables depening on what you have. These ones go brilliantly in a tomato based soup but you can add leftover roasted vegetables instead.
- Tomato puree - This adds extra flavour and depth to the soup.
- Oregano - I use dried oregano but use fresh if you have it. As an alternative you could use thyme or basil or mixed herbs.
- Black pepper - This goes in almost all soups I make!
- Balsamic vinegar - This adds a touch of sweet and sourness and goes brilliantly with the tomatoes
- Tinned tomatoes - Feel free to use passata instead.
- Leftover ham or gammon - This soup is not the same if you make it with supermarket sliced ham! I like to use thick chunky pieces of ham.
How to make this leftover ham soup
This is a very simple soup to make and is cooked in a saucepan on the hob. Just cook down the vegetables in a little oil and then add everything else and simmer till it's piping hot.
Can you make it in the slow cooker?
Yes, this is a great recipe to make in the slow cooker. Just put everything in and leave it to simmer for a couple of hours on high or four hours on low.
Can you adapt this ham soup?
There are lots of ways you can adapt this easy Christmas leftovers recipe. You can use different vegetables. I used the vegetables I had in the fridge and wanted to use up. Just do the same. Beans, peas and sweetcorn all go well in this soup. I also like to spice it up a little by adding a chopped chilli pepper to give it a bit of a kick!
You can even use a different meat altogether. Leftover turkey or chicken also taste great in this soup.
How long can you keep this leftover gammon soup?
This leftover ham soup keeps well for at least three days in the fridge. If you think you won't eat it all then freeze some of it as soon as it has cooled. It will then keep for three months in the freezer. Defrost and then reheat thoroughly before eating.
If you follow my blog, you'll know I love meals that make enough for two (or more!) meals. If that's the type of cooking you also like then do check out my Cook Once Eat Twice recipe collection. You'll find loads of meal planning inspiration!
More ways to use leftover roast ham
I do believe this leftover ham soup is the ultimate leftovers recipe. It's made with leftover gammon and if you make a big batch, you'll have enough soup for leftovers the next day too! That is what I love about it.
Of course, there are loads of other ways to use up a joint of gammon. It goes brilliantly with eggs and cheese and in rich creamy dishes. I love it in a cheesy quiche or in toasted ham and cheese sandwiches.
Are you looking for more soup recipes?
Why not check out my recipe collection of easy homemade soups? Or how about one of these easy soups?
Recipe
Leftover Ham Soup
Ingredients
- 1 red onion diced
- 1 stick celery diced
- 1 carrot diced
- 1 courgette diced
- 1 red pepper diced
- 1 tablespoon tomato puree
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Pinch black pepper
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 400 g tinned tomatoes
- 200 g leftover thickly sliced ham, cubed
Instructions
- Heat a little oil in a saucepan and fry the onion and celery gently for about 5 minutes.
- Add all the other ingredients except the ham. After emptying in the tomatoes, fill the empty tin with water and add it to the saucepan.
- Simmer for 15 minutes
- Add the chopped ham and continue to simmer for another 5 minutes.
- Serve on it's own or with crusty bread.
Notes
Nutrition
Pin for Later
Jessica
I almost never review recipes, well everyone silently does it, but I loved this soup so much I wanted to let you know. I’ve never liked a soup that had ham in it before because usually they have white beans or taste/smell like metal to me for some reason. I found this because I have been making loads of soups but none with ham and I had loads of it from thanksgiving with only my husband this year as my family couldn’t gather. Anyway, this was the best recipe I found all last year! Going to tell everyone I know about it! I honestly sub the water for the ham broth. It’s soooooo good! A bit salty, but dipping the toasted bread into it is simply delicious! I just wanted not to waste it. I haven’t tired it with any other types of ham besides the bone in one I cooked in my instant pot but I know I will soon! I loved this recipe and I’m so glad you shared this! I’ll definitely look at the others on your site soon. Once again, thanks for sharing!
Jessica
Ooops about that typo! Also I forgot to say that besides the ham broth I also add more water. I find I like more broth and it doesn’t taste watered down. Makes for more meals and more juice for the toast to absorb! So delicious!
Corina Blum
Thank you so much for leaving such a long comment Jessica - I really appreciate it! I'm so happy you liked this soup and especially as you haven't liked ham soups in the past.
nancy holter
The instructions say "After emptying in the tomatoes, fill the empty tin with water and add it to the saucepan.", but the only tomato in the ingredients is 1 Tbl of tomato puree. Is there a can of diced tomatoes that should be added? I think that is what I did the last time I made it, but I didn't write any notes on the recipe itself.
Corina Blum
Hi Nancy, I'm sorry there was a mistake in the recipe but yes you are right. I add a 400g tin of chopped tomatoes and then fill the empty tin with water and add that. I've just updated the recipe too.
Carla Patterson
Oww, this ham soup looks really tasty <3 I never had a ham soup before, so I'm very interested in checking it out - thanks a lot for sharing it with us! Cheers
Corina
Aw thanks! I hope you enjoy it!
Sues
Definitely in need of some healthy recipes at this time of year! This looks yummy!
Corina
Thanks! I'm trying to have a bit of a healthy lull now before Christmas starts in earnest!
Vicky | The Flourishing Pantry
Absolutely love using up leftovers and this is such a vibrant dish. My trouble with leftover ham is constantly picking at it if it's left on the side, until there's none left for another dish!!
Thanks for sharing. Found you on #RecipeOfTheWeek.
Corina
It's so hard not to pick at it, isn't it? I try to hide it away after we've eaten so we're not tempted!
Michelle - Hold the Moo
Yes! I so agree. I have this major craving for healthy if I have been a bit naughty. Good thing, right?
Corina
Of course! I'm glad I'm not the only one.
Ashley @ Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen
The color of this soup is absolutely gorgeous! And what a great way to use up leftovers. YUM!
Corina
Thanks Ashley! I'm so pleased you like it.
Sarah Newman
What a stunning color! I'm all aboard the #CookOnceEatTwice train!
Corina
Thanks Sarah! I love trying to #cookonceeattwice as it makes life so much easier.
Katerina
This is a great way to use leftovers! Hearty and delicious!
Corina
Thanks Katerina! Soup is just so good for making with leftovers and this or a slight variation is something I'm always happy to make and eat.
Eb Gargano | Easy Peasy Foodie
What a great way to use up leftover ham!! And yes, much healthier than many of the alternatives. I know exactly what you mean about suddenly craving healthy food and vegetables...it happens to me after periods of indulgence...like Christmas!! Thanks for linking your lovely soup up to #CookBlogShare 🙂 Eb x
Corina
I'm so pleased I'm not the only one Eb! I know I'll actually be glad to eat healthy food when it gets to January - at least for a while! x
Jen
Great recipe to use left overs. Especially now with the holidays coming up there are gonna be a ton of left overs waiting to be used wisely! By the way I loveeee the hashtag cookonceeattwice haha right up my alley.
Corina
Thanks Jen! If you love the #CookOnceEatTwice concept then do come and join in with my monthly linky. It would be lovely to have you there. You can share any recipe that's just as good to eat later as when it's freshly made so any recipe that could be a make-ahead meal would fit the bill.
Cat
'Leftover ham' isn't a concept I am familiar with as we always manage to eat it, no matter how much we have because we absolutely love it. However I might need to steal some next time to make this soup. What a great way of using up leftover veggies too x
Corina
Thanks Cat! I'm sure you would have had leftovers with this joint of ham - It was enormous!