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You are here: Home / Recipes / Soup and Stew

Ham & Potato Chowder

By Susie Weinrich · Date Mar 17, 2020· 9 Comments · May contain affiliate links.

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Ham and Potato Chowder is a delicious and comforting soup that is great for colder weather. There are not a lot of complicated flavors in this recipe, instead the ingredients are straightforward letting you really taste the potato, ham and cream. It is especially great to make when you have leftover ham.

a ladle spooning out a portion of potato ham chowder
Jump to:
  • What is Chowder
  • Instant Potato Flakes
  • What Ham to use for Ham Chowder
  • How To Make Ham and Potato Chowder
  • Topping/Garnish Ideas
  • More Hearty Soup Recipes
  • Did you make this recipe?
  • Ham and Potato Chowder Recipe + Video
  • Leave a comment and rate this recipe!

What is Chowder

Chowder is a soup or stew that has a milky or creamy base. It is also thickened with a roux or starch of some kind. In this Ham Chowder Recipe we thicken with three ingredients:

  • Potatoes
  • Heavy Whipping Cream
  • Instant Potato Flakes

Chowder is also commonly served with oyster crackers or saltine crackers.

Instant Potato Flakes

This is not the time to snub your nose at Instant Potato Flakes! I know they have a bad reputation BUT they are perfect in this recipe. Promise! 

Instant Potato Flakes in a measuring cup

I would not use them for the potatoes on my Thanksgiving table, but they make the perfect thickener for soups, like this Ham Chowder and this Instant Pot Potato Soup. They add a great layer of potato flavor and they thicken the soup perfectly! I also use them in this Cauliflower and Potato Chowder .

What Ham to use for Ham Chowder

If you have leftover spiral cut or bone in ham from the holidays or a celebration, lucky you!!! This is the perfect recipe to use up your leftover ham. (if you have a lot of ham check out this post on ways to use up leftover ham).

spiral cut smoked ham with glaze cooked in a baking dish

If you do not have leftover ham, don’t despair there are great options in the grocery store! You can buy a ham steak and it will still give you amazing ham flavor in your soup.

How To Make Ham and Potato Chowder

A note about SALT before you get started….You may be saying to yourself, “well she forgot the salt, I’ll just add a little”. STOP RIGHT THERE…there are a lot of salty ingredients in this recipe, so do not salt until you taste the finished product at the end, or you could ruin an entire pot of soup. That would be too sad. So pump the brakes and wait until the end.

Pouring chicken broth into a pot with potatoes and onions

Step 1

Sauté the onions. Add the potatoes, chicken base and chicken broth. Simmer until the potatoes are fork tender.

A pot of potato ham chowder simmering on the stove

Step 2

Optionally smash some of the potatoes (a “meat chopper” is a great tool for this). Add in the seasonings and ham. Simmer for 5 minutes.

pouring heavy cream into a pot of potato ham chowder

Step 3

Pour in the cream, then sprinkle in and whisk the potato flakes. Simmer for 5 minutes.

a ladle spooning out a portion of potato ham chowder

Step 4

Taste for salt, then serve!

Topping/Garnish Ideas

Serve topped with green onions. Some other great toppings would be sour cream, bacon bits, cheese, tabasco…. Anything you like on top of a loaded baked potato!

Potato Ham Chowder in a bowl with green onions on top

More Hearty Soup Recipes

  • a large pot of cauliflower potato soup that is pureed
    Creamy Cauliflower Potato Soup
  • creamy red potato soup topped with bacon and cheese in a brown crock bowl
    Creamy Red Potato Soup
  • Delicious Dutch Oven Beef Stew ready to be served into bowls
    Dutch Oven Beef Stew
  • a bowl of corn chowder with a spoon and bacon
    Corn Chowder

Susie leaning on the kitchen counter

💛💛💛💛💛

Did you make this recipe?

I would love to hear your review, especially if you have tips and tricks to add! Pop down to the comment section and connect with me

Rate This Recipe→
Potato Ham Chowder in a bowl with green onions on top

Ham and Potato Chowder Recipe + Video

A thick and creamy potato chowder with ham. This is a great recipe to use up leftover ham.
5 from 7 votes
Print Pin Rate Save Saved!
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
Servings: 6 people
Author: Susie Weinrich

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large yellow or white onion - chopped (about 2 cups)
  • 4 cups chicken stock or broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 teaspoon chicken base - I use Better Than Bouillon brand
  • 3 cups potatoes - peeled and roughly diced – I like to use Yukon gold or russet
  • 2 cups cooked ham - roughly chopped into ½ inch pieces
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil
  • black pepper - to taste
  • 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
  • ¾ cup potato flakes - regular or buttery flavor
  • green onions - chopped for garnish *optional, but recommended

Do not salt until you taste the final soup! You may not need any salt.

Instructions
 

  • In a large pot over medium-low heat cook the onion in the oil until they become translucent.
    1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 large yellow or white onion
  • Add the chicken broth, water, chicken base, and potatoes to the onions. Cook over medium-high heat until the potatoes are fork tender, about 15-20 minutes.
    4 cups chicken stock or broth, 2 cups water, 2 teaspoon chicken base, 3 cups potatoes
    A pot of potato ham chowder simmering on the stove
  • Lower heat to medium-low and add the ham, dried basil, and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes.
    2 cups cooked ham, ½ teaspoon dried basil, black pepper
    A pot of potato ham chowder simmering on the stove
  • Whisk in the cream.
    1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
    pouring heavy cream into a pot of potato ham chowder
  • Slowly whisk in the potato flakes. Continue to cook for an additional 5 minutes.
    ¾ cup potato flakes
    a ladle spooning out a portion of potato ham chowder
  • Serve garnished with green onions.

Recipe Tips and Notes:

To Make Ahead:
Prepare completely, cool, and store in the fridge for up to 2 days.
To serve slowly warm on the stove over medium low heat, stirring occasionally, making sure it does not come to a boil.
You may need to add a little liquid (milk or chicken stock) as it will thicken in the fridge.
Did you make this recipe?Connect with me and let me know by commenting below!
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About Susie Weinrich

Susie Weinrich is the recipe developer, food photographer, and content creator behind Mom's Dinner. She has over 20 years experience in the food industry. Currently, Susie shares all her recipes and food knowledge on Mom's Dinner. You will find her recipes are easy to follow and full of tips and tricks to make sure the recipe you are making turns out perfect!

Comments

    5 from 7 votes

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Sonia Kuczynski says

    December 23, 2021 at 1:21 pm

    5 stars
    I made this Soup and left out the Potato flakes as My Husband does not like that. I used an Immersion Blender. I added some dried thyme for seasoning and a little Salt + Pepper , 1.2 cup 35% Cream . I Also put some Bacon Bits and Croutons on Top with sliced Green Onions . It was Delicious . Thank You for the Recipe .

    Reply
    • Susie Weinrich says

      December 24, 2021 at 9:21 am

      Beautiful…but I think this was your recipe. Great changes!!! Cheers!

      Reply
  2. Wendy says

    November 16, 2020 at 5:33 pm

    5 stars
    This is an awesome soup, I make it with leftover honey baked ham and it’s amazing!!!!

    Reply
  3. Emily Bruno says

    November 01, 2019 at 11:32 am

    5 stars
    This soup looks perfect for a cold night- adding it to my menu asap!

    Reply
  4. Lauren Grant | Zestful Kitchen says

    October 21, 2019 at 7:45 pm

    5 stars
    OK this soup is SO good, so creamy and so cozy! You hit this one out of the park, thank you!

    Reply
  5. Tawnie Kroll says

    October 21, 2019 at 11:16 am

    5 stars
    Made this for dinner last night and Cameron loved it – thank you!

    Reply
  6. Lauren Nagel says

    October 20, 2019 at 7:29 pm

    5 stars
    My favorite soup!!! Love the ham in this too.

    Reply
  7. John says

    August 12, 2018 at 7:35 pm

    5 stars
    Ham people….anything with ham including this delicious soup is sooooooo good!

    Reply
    • Susie says

      August 12, 2018 at 11:26 pm

      HAM.

      Reply
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Meet The Author:

Susie Weinrich is a professional food photographer and recipe developer. Her thoroughly tested recipes and step-by-step guides give readers confidence in the kitchen.

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