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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This is fantastic! Thank you!
Sure! So glad you loved it!
OMG! This was sooo easy and sooo good. Thanx for the recipe…
You’re welcome! I’m really glad you liked it.
I ADORE THIS!!! Fall comforting hearty soup omg!!! Been keto for 8 months and did not get the point of eating soup anymore because not enough fat… This fits the bill 1000000%!!! Thank you so much, I’ll be making this soup forever
I’m so glad!!
Amazing recipe. thank you
You’re welcome. Glad you liked it.
I made this yesterday – it is delicious and filling! I packed for work lunches and found it to reheat very well.
That is awesome!
Made this tonight! It’s a hit and a keeper! I did substitute shredded cabbage for the broccoli (hubby doesn’t care for broccoli) it was delicious! Thinking smoked sausage would work really well also if one was out of ham!!
Your recipe collection has made keto so easy and so delicious! Thanks for all your hard work!
You’re so welcome. I really appreciate your kind remarks. It means so much to me.
This soup is amazing! I didn’t have broccoli so I used cauliflower & it reminded me of a cheesy ham & potato soup. Christmas leftovers were put to good use. I enjoyed it so much that I’m making it again, but this time with chicken & broccoli. Thank you!!!
Great way to use your Christmas leftovers. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
What a good idea, subbing chicken for the ham! I’m going to try that.
I made this for dinner. I left out the cream cheese (hubby isn’t a fan) and the xantham gum and it is wonderful. Definitely a keeper!
I’m glad ya’ll enjoyed it!
A wonderful hearty soup for winter. I made this last night with leftover ham and cauliflower instead of broccoli. I, also, used 1/2 cream and 1/2 milk (2%) and used 3 Tablespoons of cream cheese. Also, no Xantham gum and the soup thickened beautifully. Terrific flavor. Great recipe and easy to fix. Thank you, Kasey.
You’re very welcome, Susan! Glad you enjoyed the soup.
I made this and it was delicious. I used my instapot with the saute and then the dip setting. The cheese too a while to incorporate, but it eventually did and it was think and creamy and delicious!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Not bad but salty , I used a spiral ham. I wouldn’t use salt.
Of course, you can make this without the salt.
Made this with asparagus instead of broccoli. Cooked the chopped asparagus with the onion and it was wonderful.
I’m sure it was great with asparagus. Glad you enjoyed it!
Do you use fresh broccoli or steamed?
You can use either.
Excellent! I made it in the instapot (8 minutes) with leftover ham. I would have liked more broccoli and could have shredded the ham. Hubby said it was “ restaurant quality “.
That is awesome!
How many servings does this make?
The servings are listed near the top on the left side of the recipe.
Yes but it doesn’t specify how big a serving is…
I’m sorry Ali, I should have expounded to better answer your question. The number of servings is listed at the top left of the recipe card. I used that number to divide the soup into equal-sized servings but did not measure exactly.