This creamy low-carb ham soup is pure comfort in a bowl. Fresh vegetables and savory ham simmer in a rich, velvety broth to create a satisfying, flavorful soup that works great for weeknights or meal prep.
I make soup year-round, and this creamy low-carb ham soup was a favorite at my house. You can prepare it with diced leftover ham and chicken broth, or simmer a ham bone to extract both meat and flavorful ham broth. Either approach yields a deeply satisfying soup with plenty of savory depth.
Let’s talk about the fresh vegetables that go into this soup!
This recipe uses a colorful mix of fresh vegetables: diced celery, green and red bell peppers, and onion. I love the contrast of green and red peppers, but any color combination will work. We also add cauliflower, which can be fresh or frozen. When blended with an immersion blender, cauliflower provides a creamy, potato-like texture while keeping the recipe low in carbs. If you’d like, add other low-carb vegetables such as broccoli, green beans, or spinach. For a bit of heat, stir in diced jalapeños.
What is the best ham to use for this creamy low-carb ham soup?
This soup is ideal for using leftover ham. I prefer diced ham from a boneless or bone-in ham for the best texture. If you have a bone-in ham, simmer the ham bone to make broth and shred any meat that comes off — this adds extra flavor. You can combine ham broth with chicken broth if you prefer a milder base. Note that carb counts vary between ham brands and preparations, so check labels if tracking macros.
How can I serve this creamy low-carb ham soup?
This soup is hearty enough to serve on its own. For a nice finish, top each bowl with shredded cheddar cheese or sliced green onions. Pair it with a keto-friendly salad for a complete meal — a Caesar salad is an excellent choice — or serve with keto bread, biscuits, English muffins, or crackers. It also complements burgers, sandwiches, or lettuce wraps, and rounds out nicely with a low-carb dessert.
Need some more keto comfort soups? Here you go!
Creamy Keto Chicken and Rice Soup
Keto Chicken Chorizo Soup
Keto French Onion Soup
Low Carb Keto Unstuffed Cabbage Soup
Helpful Hints:
* Use an immersion blender to puree the soup smooth, or pulse briefly and leave some larger vegetable pieces if you prefer more texture.
* You can skip the xanthan gum, but the soup will be slightly thinner without it.
Main Kitchen Equipment and Utensils:
- Large stockpot
- Measuring spoons
- Immersion blender
Splash of Encouragement:
***O LORD, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of Your possessions – Psalm 104:24***
Creamy Low Carb Ham Soup
12 Servings
25 minutes
30 minutes
55 minutes
This creamy low-carb ham soup brings fresh vegetables and savory ham together in a rich, comforting broth—perfect for family meals or leftovers turned into something special.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ⅓ cup diced celery
- ⅓ cup diced green pepper
- ⅓ cup diced red pepper
- ¼ cup diced onion
- 24 ounces fresh cauliflower, chopped
- 8 cups chicken broth or ham broth
- ⅓ cup fresh chopped parsley
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon xanthan gum
- 4 cups diced ham
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- Optional: top with shredded cheddar cheese or sliced green onions.
Instructions
1. In a large stockpot over medium heat, add butter and olive oil.
2. When the butter melts, add celery, peppers, and onion. Sauté about 5 minutes, until vegetables begin to soften.
3. Add cauliflower, broth, parsley, garlic powder, and pepper.
4. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil, then reduce to medium-high and simmer until cauliflower is fork-tender, 15–25 minutes.
5. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup to your desired consistency.
6. Sprinkle xanthan gum over the soup and whisk until no lumps remain.
7. Stir in diced ham and heavy cream. Simmer until heated through.
8. Serve topped with shredded cheddar or sliced green onions if desired.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12
Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 200Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 1140mgCarbohydrates: 5.5gNet Carbohydrates: 4gFiber: 1.5gSugar: 3gProtein: 13g
Thanks for stopping by! Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is approximate. Values vary by ingredients and brands used. Net carbs are total carbs minus fiber.
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