Slow-Simmered Vegetable Soup with Smoked Ham
A comforting, deeply flavored soup simmered with smoked ham hock and seasonal vegetables, ideal for a chilly North Woods evening. This american-inspired soups ready in about 65 minutes pairs (about 8 oz) Smoked ham hock, medium, diced Onion, minced Garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 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 (about 8 oz) Smoked ham hock
- 2 medium, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes Carrots
- 2 stalks, diced into 1/2-inch cubes Celery
- 1 medium, diced Onion
- 2 cloves, minced Garlic
- 4 cups Vegetable broth
- 2 medium, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes Potatoes
- 1 cup, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces Green beans
- 1 tsp Dried thyme
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 1 smoked ham hock in a large pot and add 4 cups vegetable broth, bringing to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
- Step 2: Add 2 diced carrots, 2 diced celery stalks, 1 diced onion, and 2 minced garlic cloves, then cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 diced potatoes, 1 cup trimmed green beans, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper, then cover and simmer for 20 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Step 4: Remove the ham hock, shred the meat from the bone, and return it to the pot. Discard the bone.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Simmered Vegetable Soup with Smoked Ham take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (15 min prep + 50 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 Slow-Simmered Vegetable 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 (about 8 oz) smoked ham hock from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Vegetable 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 Slow-Simmered Vegetable 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 Slow-Simmered Vegetable 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
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
