Ingredients You’ll Need
For the soup
3 cups cooked ham, diced
4 medium potatoes, about 600g, peeled and diced
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 carrots, peeled and diced
2 celery stalks, diced
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream, or half-and-half for a lighter option
1 teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon salt, adjusted to taste
1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, optional, for a thicker soup
2 tablespoons butter
Optional garnish
Chopped fresh parsley
Chopped fresh chives
What Kind of Ham Should You Use?
Because the recipe calls for cooked ham, this is a great opportunity to use leftovers.
Diced cooked ham works beautifully, whether it came from a previous dinner or you simply have some on hand.
Cut it into bite-sized pieces so the ham distributes nicely throughout the soup.
Heavy Cream vs. Half-and-Half
The recipe gives you two options.
Heavy cream creates the richest, creamiest soup.
Half-and-half provides a lighter result while still giving the soup a creamy texture.
Choose whichever fits your preference. Either works beautifully in this recipe.
Do You Need the Flour?
No.
The 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour are optional and are included if you'd like a thicker soup.
The flour is cooked with melted butter to create a roux, which is then combined with the cream before being added to the slow cooker.
If you prefer a thinner, more broth-like soup, you can leave the flour out.
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
You don't need anything fancy for this recipe.
Slow cooker
Cutting board
Sharp knife
Measuring cups and spoons
Small saucepan
Whisk
Wooden spoon or spatula
Ladle
Serving bowls
That's it!
How to Make Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Soup
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
Start by preparing all of your vegetables.
Dice the ham, potatoes, carrots, celery, and onion.
Then mince the garlic.
I like to have everything chopped and ready before turning on the slow cooker. It makes the entire process feel quick and organized.
Step 2: Layer Everything in the Slow Cooker
Add the following to your slow cooker:
Potatoes
Carrots
Celery
Onion
Garlic
Ham
Chicken broth
Dried thyme
Salt
Black pepper
Stir gently to combine everything.
Look at those colors already! The orange carrots, creamy potatoes, green celery, and little pieces of ham make this soup look hearty before it even starts cooking.
Step 3: Let the Slow Cooker Work
Cover the slow cooker and cook:
Low: 6–7 hours
High: 3–4 hours
The soup is ready for the next step when the potatoes and carrots are tender.
This is where the magic happens.
As everything cooks slowly, the vegetables soften and the ham adds savory flavor to the broth.
And the smell when this is cooking? Incredible!!
Step 4: Make the Creamy Base
When the vegetables are tender, grab a small saucepan.
Melt the 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
If you're using the optional flour, stir it into the melted butter.
Cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring, to form a roux.
Then gradually whisk in the heavy cream until the mixture is smooth.
Take your time with this step and whisk as you add the cream. You want a smooth, creamy mixture before it goes into the slow cooker.
Step 5: Combine Everything
Pour the cream mixture into the slow cooker.
Stir gently to combine.
Then add the 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese.
Stir until the cheese has melted and the soup is creamy.
At this point, the broth should look rich and velvety, with little pieces of ham and vegetables throughout.
Taste the soup and adjust the salt and pepper if needed.
Remember that ham and cheddar can already contribute plenty of salt, so tasting before adding more is important.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Ladle the hot soup into bowls.
Finish with chopped fresh parsley or chives if desired.
Then serve it hot with crusty bread or warm dinner rolls.
That first spoonful is the best part.
What to Serve With Ham and Potato Soup
This soup is hearty enough to stand on its own, but I absolutely love serving it with something to soak up that creamy broth.
Crusty bread
A loaf of crusty bread is one of the simplest and best choices.
Dinner rolls
Soft dinner rolls are perfect for dipping.
Side salad
For a lighter contrast, serve the soup alongside a crisp green salad.
Roasted vegetables
Roasted vegetables can add a little extra color and texture to the meal.
Tips for Making the Best Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Soup
Cut the potatoes into similar-sized pieces
Try to keep the potato pieces relatively uniform so they cook at roughly the same rate.
Don't skip the tasting step
Ham and cheddar can vary in saltiness, so taste the soup before adding additional salt at the end.
Grate your own cheddar when possible
Freshly shredded cheese generally melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese, which can contain anti-caking ingredients.
Don't rush the vegetables
The potatoes and carrots should be tender before you add the creamy finishing mixture.
Add the cream mixture toward the end
The recipe is designed so the soup cooks with the broth first and gets its creamy finish later. That keeps the final texture rich and smooth.
Garnish at the last minute
Fresh parsley or chives add a lovely pop of color against the creamy soup.
Easy Ingredient Additions
Want to change things up?
There are plenty of directions you could take this soup.
Add more vegetables
You could experiment with additional vegetables such as peas or corn if you have them available.
Add more cheese
If you're a serious cheese lover, a little extra cheddar can make an already cozy soup even more indulgent.
Add herbs
Fresh herbs can provide a brighter finish if you have them available.
Just remember that additions can change the final texture and flavor, so treat them as optional variations rather than requirements.
How to Store Leftover Soup
Allow leftover soup to cool appropriately, then transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate.
Because this soup contains cream and cheese, it may thicken as it chills. That's completely normal.
When reheating, warm it gently and stir occasionally.
If the soup becomes too thick, a little additional broth or milk can help loosen it to your preferred consistency.
Can You Freeze Ham and Potato Soup?
Cream-based soups can sometimes change texture after freezing and thawing, particularly because of the dairy.
For the best texture, this soup is especially enjoyable fresh or refrigerated for later meals.
If you do freeze leftovers, expect that the creamy consistency may not be quite as smooth after reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use half-and-half instead of heavy cream?
Yes. The recipe specifically offers half-and-half as a lighter alternative to heavy cream.
Can I leave out the flour?
Yes. The flour is optional and is included for a thicker soup.
Can I use leftover holiday ham?
Absolutely. Diced cooked ham is perfect for this recipe and makes it an excellent way to repurpose leftovers.
What potatoes work best?
The recipe calls for four medium potatoes, peeled and diced. Choose potatoes that hold up well during slow cooking and cut them into similar-sized pieces.
Can I cook the soup on high instead of low?
Yes. The recipe gives both options: 6–7 hours on low or 3–4 hours on high, until the potatoes and carrots are tender.
Why is my soup thicker the next day?
Creamy potato soup can naturally become thicker as it cools and is refrigerated. Gently reheating it and adding a little broth or milk can help restore a looser consistency.
How do I know when the soup is ready?
The potatoes and carrots should be tender. Once they reach that point, prepare the creamy base and finish the soup with the cream mixture and cheddar.
General Recipe Information
Recipe: Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Soup
Cooking method: Slow cooker
Main ingredients: Ham, potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, cream, cheddar
Flavor profile: Savory, creamy, cheesy, comforting
Difficulty: Easy
Best for: Weeknight dinners, chilly days, leftover ham, cozy family meals
Approximate Nutrition
Nutrition will vary depending on the specific ham, broth, cream or half-and-half, cheddar, and serving size used.
As a general guide, this soup provides a substantial combination of protein from the ham and cheese, carbohydrates from the potatoes, and fat from the dairy and butter.
For precise nutritional information, calculate the recipe using the exact brands and quantities you use.
Final Thoughts
This Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Soup is exactly the kind of recipe I want waiting for me on a chilly evening.
It's hearty without being complicated, creamy without requiring a long list of ingredients, and packed with the comforting combination of ham, tender potatoes, vegetables, and melted cheddar.
And I really love that the slow cooker handles the first—and biggest—part of the job.
Prepare everything, let it cook until those potatoes and carrots are tender, make the quick creamy base, stir in the cheddar, and dinner is ready.
Serve it with crusty bread or warm rolls, grab a big spoon, and settle in.
Cozy dinner doesn't get much easier than this!
More Cozy Soup Recipes to Try
If this creamy ham and potato soup has you craving more comfort food, keep these ideas in mind:
Creamy Chicken and Potato Soup
Slow Cooker Vegetable Soup
Cheesy Broccoli Potato Soup
Classic Chicken Noodle Soup
Creamy Corn Chowder
Slow Cooker Beef and Vegetable Soup
There’s nothing like having a few dependable soup recipes ready for those nights when you want something warm, filling, and wonderfully comforting.
Did You Make This Recipe?
If you make this Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Soup, I’d love to hear how it turned out!
Leave a review and tell me whether you used heavy cream or half-and-half. Did you add anything extra? Did your family go back for seconds?
And if you take a photo, share it on Pinterest so other soup lovers can discover this cozy recipe too!
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