This Slow Cooker Ham and Sweet Potato Soup is creamy, comforting, and packed with vegetables! The cheesy broth and salty ham are what really make this comfort food a true family favorite.
Ham sweet potato soup
When salty ham and luscious sweet potatoes get together, you know you’re in for a treat! This Slow Cooker Ham and Sweet Potato Soup is so creamy and comforting, yet still packed with vegetables. Your whole family will be begging for seconds!
It may surprise you but this ham and potato soup is perfect for kids. It’s a great way to introduce them to sweet potatoes while disguising the veggies in a creamy and cheesy broth. They’ll have no idea they’re eating something healthy!
This easy ham and potato soup comes together in the crockpot so all you have to do is sit back and relax while it does its thing. After about 9 hours, you’ll end up with the perfect family meal you can serve with Fluffy Dinner Rolls and a healthy Kale Salad.
How to make ham and sweet potato soup in the slow cooker
This easy cold weather soup is made in the crockpot with lots of veggies, diced ham, white beans, and, of course, sweet potatoes! All of this goodness will warm you up after just one bowl. Here’s how it’s done:
Place the diced ham, sweet potatoes, celery, carrots, red pepper, onion, corn, white beans, chicken broth, basil, parsley, salt, pepper, and minced garlic into the bowl of a slow cooker.
Cover with a lid and cook on Low for 8 hours.
When the time is almost up, melt some butter in a saucepan and stir in the flour. Add the milk and keep stirring until it’s creamy. Add the cheese and stir until it’s melted.
Pour the cheese and milk mixture into the soup and stir.
Cook the soup for an additional 1 hour on High to help it thicken, then serve and enjoy!
Can I make this on the stove top instead?
Of course! To cook this ham and sweet potato soup on the stove, saute the onion, celery, and carrots in a large soup pot with oil over medium high heat until they’re soft and fragrant. Add the red pepper and garlic and cook for 1 minute.
Add the sweet potatoes, chicken broth, basil, parsley, salt, and pepper to the pot. Bring it up to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer until the potatoes are fork tender.
When the soup is almost ready, make your butter, milk, and cheese mixture. Pour it into the soup along with the diced ham, white beans, and corn. Stir and cook for another 3 minutes, then serve and enjoy!
Storing and freezing sweet potato soup
To store, keep the leftover soup in an airtight container for 2 or 3 days. You can reheat it on the stove or in the microwave!
I don’t recommend freezing the leftover creamy sweet potato soup because the dairy tends to separate when thawed. If you’re set on freezing the soup, make a batch without the milk and cheese mixture and transfer it to a freezer-safe bag. When it’s time to eat, reheat the frozen soup in a saucepan and stir in the milk and cheese mixture when it’s warmed through.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of ham is best in ham and potato soup?
I recommend using pre-cooked smoked ham over glazed ham so your soup doesn’t taste sweet. This is a great recipe to make when you have leftover cooked ham in the fridge you need to use up.
Do the sweet potatoes have to be peeled for potato soup?
It’s up to you! I prefer them peeled but if you do decide to leave the peel on, just make sure to wash and scrub the potatoes first to remove any dirt.
Can I use regular potatoes instead of sweet potatoes?
Absolutely, use 3 cups of your favorite white or yellow potatoes instead of sweet potatoes.
Can I use chicken instead of ham?
You sure can. Use 1 to 2 pounds boneless chicken breasts. Place in slow cooker and cook according to recipe directions. When time is up, shred the chicken.
What goes well with ham and sweet potato soup?
Bread is a must! Serve each bowl with fresh dinner rolls, cornbread, or sourdough crockpot bread. The soup is hearty enough to enjoy on its own but just in case you need a side dish or two to make it a meal, I recommend serving it with roasted broccoli, green bean casserole, or red cabbage salad.
Looking for more comforting cold weather soups?
- Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Potato Soup
- Cheesy Vegetable Soup
- Roasted Cauliflower Soup
- Slow Cooker Cabbage Beef Soup
- Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup
- Slow Cooker Three Sisters Soup
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Slow Cooker Ham and Sweet Potato Soup
PrintIngredients
- 3 cups ham cubed
- 3 cups sweet potatoes peeled and chopped
- 1 cup celery chopped
- 1 cup carrots chopped
- 1 small red pepper chopped
- 1 small onion chopped
- 1 15 oz can corn (drained)
- 1 15 oz can cannellini white beans (drained)
- 5 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 5 tablespoons butter
- 6 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Add ham, sweet potatoes, celery, carrots, red pepper, onion, corn, beans, chicken broth, basil, parsley, garlic, salt and pepper into a slow cooker. Stir to combine.
- Cook on LOW for 8 hours.
- When there is 10 minutes left on the slow cooker, add butter to a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Once melted add flour and whisk until smooth. Add milk and continue stirring until creamy, about 3-4 minutes. Add shredded cheese and stir until completely melted.
- Add your cheesy milk mixture to slow cooker and stir. Cook on HIGH for 1 more hour.
- Serve in bowls and enjoy!
ejlasko says
Why make it less healthy by adding a cheesy sauce to it? Just cook sweet potatoes in chicken broth on stove top. Then, using an immersion blender, blend it into a smooth base. Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer until done. SO good!
Carol Jerls says
Last night I made this soup for my husband and I, using sweet potatoes. All in all, it did not come out bad. This is a good soup for cold rainy days. I will try using the regular potatoes next time. The flavor was not bad, I will try to tweak it some.