Dakota Potato Soup with Smoked Ham
A creamy, slow-cooked potato soup featuring locally grown potatoes and smoky ham, honoring North Dakota's agricultural roots and farmhouse traditions. This american-inspired soups ready in about 55 minutes pairs pound, peeled and diced russet potatoes, diced smoked ham, finely chopped yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 340 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 pound, peeled and diced russet potatoes
- 1 cup, diced smoked ham
- 1/2 cup, finely chopped yellow onion
- 1/2 cup, diced celery
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, cook 1 cup diced smoked ham over medium heat for 3 minutes until slightly crisp, then add 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion and 1/2 cup diced celery. Cook for 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Step 2: Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Step 3: Stir in 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, then gradually whisk in 4 cups chicken broth until smooth. Add 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
- Step 4: Bring to a simmer, then add 1 pound diced russet potatoes. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes until potatoes are fork-tender.
- Step 5: Remove from heat, blend half the soup with an immersion blender until smooth (or transfer to a blender in batches), then return to pot. Stir in 1 cup heavy cream and simmer for 5 minutes until heated through and slightly thickened, without boiling.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Dakota Potato Soup with Smoked Ham take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Dakota Potato Soup with Smoked Ham?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep diced smoked ham from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Dakota Potato Soup with Smoked Ham?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Dakota Potato Soup with Smoked Ham for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Dakota Potato Soup with Smoked Ham?
American soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Kids gobbled it up without complaints — that's a 5-star in my book.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 35-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
