Chef John's Ham and Potato Soup
Chef John's Ham and Potato Soup brings together tender Yukon Gold potatoes, smoky ham, and aromatic vegetables in a rich broth built on browned butter and a light roux. A touch of cream adds lushness while a quick mash gives body, and fresh chives brighten each spoonful. Ideal for a cozy dinner on a cool evening.
- Prep20 mins
- Cook40 mins
- Serves4
- DifficultyEasy
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Chef John's Ham and Potato Soup, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 54 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 0 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityGood
- 94 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Unprocessed or minimally processed
- 1 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 24
- Heart Health
- 36
- Metabolic
- 38
- Digestive
- 20
- Inflammatory
- 36
- Performance
- 44
- General Wellness
- 1
Melt butter in a stockpot over medium heat until it turns golden brown. Add the carrot, celery, onion, ham, and garlic; cook and stir for 5-6 minutes, until the vegetables soften and the onions are translucent.
- 2
Stir in the flour; cook for about 3 minutes. Gradually add the chicken broth, 1 cup at a time. Add the water and stir to combine. Increase the heat to high and bring to a simmer. Reduce to medium-low and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 3
Taste the soup for salt and add more if needed. Stir in the potatoes; cook for 15 minutes, until the potatoes are tender. Skim off fat if desired.
- 4
Use a potato masher to mash the soup a few times, leaving plenty of whole potato chunks. Season with salt and pepper to taste, add cayenne if desired, then add the cream. Stir to combine and heat through. Garnish with fresh chives.
- Calories 469.22 kcal High 23%
- Protein 19.03 g Good Source 38%
- Carbohydrate 39.79 g 14%
- Total Fat 24.16 g High 31%
- Saturated Fat 13.89 g High 69%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 102.73 mg High 34%
- Sodium 1990.18 mg High 87%
- Dietary Fiber 5.57 g Moderate 20%
- Total Sugars 8.83 g --
- Added Sugars 4.99 g Moderate 10%
- Calcium 110.9 mg Low Source 9%
- Iron 1.88 mg Moderate 10%
- Potassium 696.02 mg Moderate 15%
- Vitamin A 32.41 mcg Low Source 4%
- Vitamin C 8.39 mg Low Source 9%
- Vitamin D 0.0 mcg Low Source 0%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Milk 🥛
- Wheat 🌾
- Gluten
- Celery
- Garlic 🧄
- Onions 🧅
About This Recipe
Chef John's Ham and Potato Soup is an American dinner recipe made with 14 ingredients. It takes about 1 hr, serves 4, and is rated easy. Key ingredients include Butter, Cake Flour, Carrot, and Cayenne Pepper. Each serving provides about 469.22 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Chef John's Ham and Potato Soup?
- It is an American soup recipe made with 14 ingredients, usually served for dinner or lunch or soup.
- What is Chef John's Ham and Potato Soup made of?
- The main ingredients are Butter, Cake Flour, Carrot, Cayenne Pepper, Celery. The full list of 14 is above.
- What goes well with Chef John's Ham and Potato Soup?
- Explore these American side-dish recipes.
- How long does it take to make Chef John's Ham and Potato Soup?
- About 1 hr in total: 20 mins to prepare and 40 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 469.22 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Chef John's Ham and Potato Soup easy to make?
- This recipe is rated easy, with 14 ingredients and 4 steps.
- Is Chef John's Ham and Potato Soup healthy?
- Chef John's Ham and Potato Soup has an easyChef Pro health score of 44/100. Per serving, it provides 469.22 calories and 19.03 g of protein, or 38% of the Daily Value. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 1990.18 mg (87% of the Daily Value), saturated fat at 13.89 g (69% of the Daily Value) and added sugars at 4.99 g (10% of the Daily Value). It contains Milk, Wheat, Gluten, Celery, Garlic and Onions, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
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The calculation evaluates nutrients, calorie density, processing level, and how well the food supports your selected health goal. Protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and other beneficial nutrients can strengthen the score. High amounts of sodium, saturated fat, added sugar and other nutrients may lower it.
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