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.
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.
Video
Nutrition
My hubby & I really liked the soup and will make it again. It’s quick and easy to make. Personally, I wouldn’t add the salt due to the broth and ham that I used. Thank you!
Great! Glad you enjoyed it.
This recipe says 1 tsp. cream cheese. Why would you bother with 1 tsp of cream cheese? Isn’t that a mistake? Maybe it should be 1 package (8 oz)?
When testing the recipe, this amount worked out perfectly as I have to be mindful of calories, fat, and carbs. You can always add more or less according to your personal preference.
We needed a meal for leftover Christmas ham and this was perfect. Used frozen broccoli in place of fresh. Would like to try spinach next time. Filling and satisfying. A perfect cold-weather meal.
Glad it turned out so good for you!
Made today, cut in half. Excellent flavor and texture! My modification was , no bacon, as I had boiled down the rest of a spiral ham till all was off bone, so I browned the onion garlic in with the ham fat/broth giving excellent flavor. It does take a bit of time for the Zanathan gum to aid in thickening, cover and let it sit. Really good. I used fresh broccoli crowns.
Fantastic. So glad you loved it.
Very good and tasty.
So glad you loved it.
This soup is so easy to make and is amazing! Great flavor!
Awesome. So glad you loved it.
Just an overall amazing soup. This was my first time making a cream based soup and it was extremely easy to prepare with basic, simple ingredients.
I did double the recipe since who doesn’t like leftover soup, although I made a few substitutions. I only used 2 cups of heavy whipping cream (double the recipe) since that was all that I had, I used a broccoli/cauliflower fresh mix from Trader Joe’s, and didn’t use the Xanthan Gum since I’ve never heard of it and didn’t know what it was.
It turned out perfect!
The next time I make it I will NOT use the 1 tsp of salt since it was border lining on too much of a salty taste for my personal preference.
Thanks for sharing. This is going to be one of my favorites.
Awesome. Glad you enjoyed it. Salt is def one of those ingredients that is a personal preference. Thanks!
One TEASPOON of cream cheese? is that a typo?
It is not a typo. You are welcome to use more if you’d like.
Really delicious- thank you. I used about 1.5 cups of ham.
So glad you loved it.
Wondering if I can sub the broccoli for frozen cauliflower as it’s all I have? Thanks!
I’m sure you could, but I haven’t personally tried it.
Is it 447 calories and 5 carbs for the whole batch?
No, it is per serving.
Is there something i can use instead of whipping cream need to cut down the calories
I have only made it as is, so I’m not sure.
What is the serving size is it it 1 cup?
I don’t personally measure serving sizes. I divide the soup evenly be the number of servings listed on the recipe card.
Made this today!!!…absolute perfection!!!…made exactly as written…thank you will be making again!!!
Fantastic! So glad you loved it.
Made this again tonight. Our favorite soup! I was out of broccoli and used cauliflower instead. It was absolutely wonderful. I added spinach, too. Fantastic recipe. Thank you for sharing!
I’m so glad you all loved it! Thanks so much for taking the time to rate the recipe.