Keto Ham Soup with Broccoli & Cheese (Hearty & Delicious)
Soup is one of my favorite keto meals as it comes together quickly without making a huge mess in the kitchen. This hearty and delicious Keto Ham Soup recipe is chock full of broccoli and cheese for a cozy and comforting meal. It’s easy to make and the perfect way to use leftover ham.
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Cheesy Keto Ham & Cheese Soup with Broccoli
A couple of years ago ager my husband’s office Christmas party, we had a huge plate of leftover ham and broccoli. That next day it started snowing, and all I could think about was eating a big hearty bowl of hot soup snuggled up by the fire. The leftover ham and broccoli came to mind, and in about 30 minutes, I made a steaming pot of Cheesy Ham Soup that we all gobbled up.
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Is Ham Soup Keto Friendly?
If you are thinking of ham and bean soup with carrots and celery, it would not be suggested for the keto diet. However, the ingredients for this recipe are all low carb, so it is perfectly keto-friendly.
You’ll start this recipe by frying a couple of pieces of bacon in a large stockpot. The bacon grease is incredible for added flavor to this keto ham soup.
The reserved bacon grease is perfect for sauteeing the onion. If you don’t love onion, you can leave it out.
This base of this comforting soup is heavy whipping cream and chicken broth. If you prefer, you can sub bone broth instead. This Cheesy Ham Soup with Broccoli is comfort food at its finest.
After letting it simmer for just a few minutes, Cheesy Ham Soup with Broccoli is ready to enjoy! All you need to do is serve up a bowl and salt and pepper to taste.
What Kind of Ham Do I Use in this Recipe?
Any smoked ham will do. Make sure to avoid honey ham or maple ham varieties because of the added sugars. You can often purchase precooked ham already chopped at the grocery store in near the sandwich meats. There are also small hams that you can bake and use the leftovers for this Cheesy Keto Ham Soup Recipe.
How Long Will Ham Soup Keep in the Fridge?
I am fairly conservative as far as how long I keep leftover foods. I tend to keep soup in the fridge for 3-4 days in an airtight container.
Can You Freeze this Cheesy Homemade Ham Soup Recipe?
I tend to shy away from freezing soups with ingredients such as cream cheese, heavy whipping cream, and cheese as they often break down and become grainy when they are reheated. The texture doesn’t bother a lot of people, but for those that it might, I want to make sure I give all the information I can.
Topping Ideas for this recipe:
- freshly grated cheddar cheese or another variety cheese
- crunchy bacon
- diced scallions
- Jalapenos if you like to turn up the heat
More Delicious Keto Soup Recipes:
- Keto Broccoli & Cheese Soup
- Queso Keto Taco Soup Recipe
- Crockpot Bacon Cheddar Cauliflower Soup
- Keto No-Noodle Chicken Cabbage Soup
How to Make Cheesy Keto Ham Soup with Broccoli:
Cheesy Keto Ham Soup with Broccoli {keto/low carb}
Ingredients
- 4 pieces bacon
- 1/2 small onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 cups chopped ham
- 2 cups broccoli
- 1 tsp cream cheese
- 1 tsp parsley
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 2 cups of cheddar cheese
- 1/4 tsp Xanthan Gum
Instructions
- In a large stock pot or dutch oven, cook bacon.
- Remove bacon and set aside.
- Add onion and garlic cloves to the leftover bacon grease and saute on medium until the onion is soft.
- Add chicken broth, heavy whipping cream, broccoli, cream cheese, and spices then simmer on medium heat for 12 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low.
- Add chopped ham then slowly add cheese stirring constantly until the cheese melts.
- Sprinkle Xanthan Gum on top to thicken the soup and allow to sit for 5 minutes before serving.
- Sprinkle the reserved bacon on top and serve.
- Optional: Top with additional shredded cheese.
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Nutrition
1 tsp of cream cheese is correct?
Yes
How big is a serving?
1 or 3/4 cup?
I didn’t measure the servings I just divided them into equally.
Is this 6 1cup servings?
I didn’t measure the servings exactly, I just divided it into equal sized servings.
This soup is wonderful. I did add extra broccoli and some cauliflower and left out the bacon and xanthum gum (I didn’t have those ingredients [I did have bacon fat]). This is my second batch and because I portion it for work lunches, I am going to add the cheese when i reheat so it doesn’t separate. This is really tasty and worked well in my keto diet plan.
That sounds fabulous! I’m so glad that you enjoy it!
Made this with homemade leftover ham bone broth— great flavor!!! Hubby says the recipe is a keeper!!
Awesome! Glad you enjoyed it!
Looks like a great receipt. My wife and I were talking about what to do w/ the leftover ham now that bean soup if off the menu. Perfect!
BTW, those who aren’t acquainted w/ xantham gum, buy a small container on Amazon , or where ever. It is a great kitchen tool now that I don’t make roux anymore. Take a pinch and sprinkle it over the top of the pot while stirring. A little goes a long way, so give it time to work.
Awesome. Yes, I use xanthan gum in many of my recipes. A little does go a long way. Thanks!
Thank you
Do you know if this reheats well?
Yes, it reheats great.
Can this be made in a crock pot?
I’ve only ever made it as written so I am not sure.
I made this today. It was fabulous!
Awesome! Glad you loved it.
Do I cook the broccoli first?
Nope. Just add it in uncooked.
How long do you cook it? Can I cook it in the crock pot?
Approximately 20-25 minutes.
This was incredible! All the teenagers in the house scarfed it down without even asking if it was one of my “weird foods”. So much quicker and easier than I expected. Thank you!
Awesome! So glad they loved it. I have a teenager so I know that is a big deal.
I made this tonight and it was excellent! I used frozen broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots instead of fresh. I made sure to cook them down to release the extra water. The carrots add some extra carbs, but I warned my keto husband beforehand! Really yummy!
So glad you all enjoyed it.
Do you think this will freeze and reheat well?
I haven’t tried but I think it would be fine.
Yum yum yum and yummy yum! 1tsp cream cheese? We accidentally thru in an oz…woops lol! This is great! Definitely going into the lineup. Thank you!
So glad you liked it!