Ham Bone Chowder
Comforting, delicious and frugal chowder recipe that uses up your leftover ham bone. Don't toss it- make an amazing soup that you and your family will love!
Prep Time 30 minutes mins
Cook Time 45 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins
- 1 ham bone w/visible meat
- 1 medium onion diced
- 8 cups water
- 1 stalk celery or 1/2 tsp celery seed
- 1/2 tsp white pepper
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 5 medium potatoes washed, peeled, and diced
- 1-2 cups cooked corn kernels fresh or frozen
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup flour
- 2 cups half-and-half or whole milk
Place first 6 ingredients in large pot or Dutch oven, bring to boil over medium head and simmer 30 minutes or until meat easily comes off bone.
Shred ham from the bone, discard any fat, return meat to the pot.
Add diced potatoes, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender. (Also add any other desired vegetables- see notes)
While potatoes are cooking, in a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour, stirring until well incorporated. Cook for 1-2 minutes. Slowly add half-and-half or milk, stirring constantly, do not scorch. Once it thickly coats spoon, remove from heat.
When potatoes are tender, stir sauce into soup over medium heat. Let simmer until chowder reaches desired consistency. Add corn. Add seasonings to taste. (I usually only have to add a bit of salt, if anything).
Additional, optional, vegetables: 1/2 cup carrots, 1/2 cup broccoli, sweet potatoes in place of some/all potatoes.
Additional diced/shredded ham can be added as well if your ham bone does not have a lot of ham left on it.