With a steaming bowl of Ham & Barley Soup, you can enjoy a cozy meal that’s as comforting as it is filling. This recipe is a great way to use up leftover ham while giving you a delicious and hearty soup to warm you up.
Turns leftovers into a comforting meal, saves time and money, reduces weeknight prep time, and delivers a complete veggie-packed soup with easy cleanup.
I’ve had those moments when I’m staring at leftover ham and wondering what to do with it. But this soup solves that problem effortlessly, letting you whip up a nourishing meal with hardly any fuss. Plus, it’s loaded with veggies, so you’ll feel great feeding it to your family.
What I love about this soup is how simple it is. You really only need about 10 minutes to prep everything, and then your slow cooker does all the hard work for the next 4 to 8 hours. It’s ideal for busy days when you want to come home to a warm, filling dinner.
If you’re looking for a tasty way to use up leftover ingredients, then this recipe is perfect for you! If you need a delicious side to go along with it, why not try this easy Chicken Orzo Salad?
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Rich in Flavor : The savory and smoky notes of leftover ham paired with hearty vegetables create a warm, comforting taste that feels like a hug in a bowl.
- Convenient Cooking : With a simple dump-and-go method, this soup is a great choice for busy days when you want a homemade meal without the fuss.
- Healthy Veggie Boost : Packed with nutritious vegetables like carrots, celery, and green beans, this soup is an easy way to incorporate healthy options into your diet.
- Flexible Storage : You can keep leftovers in the fridge for a few days or freeze for later, making it a practical meal prep solution that doesn’t compromise on flavor.
Easy Slow Cooker Ham Vegetable Soup
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cool Time: 0 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: N/A
- Diet: Diabetic
Description
A hearty and nutritious ham vegetable barley soup made in a slow cooker.
Ingredients
- 1 Leftover Meaty Ham Bone and Meat (leave meat in large pieces), large
- 1 large Onion, chopped
- 2 Bay Leaves, whole
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- 8 cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth, 1.9 liters
- 2 large Carrots, chopped
- 2 ribs Celery, chopped
- 1 (14.5 oz) can Diced Tomatoes, with juice, 411 grams
- 3/4 cup Pearl Barley, rinsed, 145 grams
- 2 medium Russet Potatoes, cut in 1.5 inch pieces
- 1/2 lb Fresh Green Beans, cut in 2 inch pieces
- 11/2 teaspoon Dried Oregano
- 11/2 teaspoon Dried Basil
- 1/21/2 teaspoon Pepper
Instructions
- Layer Ingredients in Cooker: Start by adding your diced ham, onions, carrots, celery, and hearty barley into the slow cooker. The colors should pop, creating a vibrant mix. Be careful not to overfill the cooker.
- Add Broth & Seasoning: Pour in your low sodium chicken broth and sprinkle in the bay leaves, garlic, oregano, basil, and pepper. The aroma will start to fill your kitchen. Remember, the ham adds saltiness, so do not overdo it on additional salt.
- Set Time to Cook: Cover the slow cooker and set it for 4-8 hours, depending on your schedule. Check the vegetables and barley at the 4-hour mark; they should be tender.
- Check Consistency Before Serving: When it is time to serve, give the soup a stir. If the soup seems too thick, add a splash of water or broth to loosen it up.
- Serve & Enjoy: Dish up a warm bowl of your hearty soup, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese for added flavor.
Notes
- Storage Tips: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Expert Tips: Use a 7 or 8 quart slow cooker for best results. If using a smaller slow cooker, reduce the amount of veggies used by about 25%. For optimal flavor, place heartier vegetables like carrots and potatoes in first. If the soup gets too thick after cooking, adding a cup of low-sodium broth or water can help adjust the consistency. If the ham adds too much salt, add about a cup of low-sodium broth or water to reduce the saltiness. When using delicate vegetables, add them in the last hour of cooking to prevent mushiness.
- Reheating Instructions: Reheat on low in the slow cooker or in a saucepan over medium heat until warm throughout, about 10-15 minutes.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve with crusty bread and butter. Top with fresh herbs for added flavor. Pair with a light salad for balance.
- Recipe Variations: Add mushrooms for extra flavor. Include different greens like spinach or kale. Swap barley for quinoa or rice.
- Ingredient Notes: Use ham hocks or smoked turkey legs as a substitute for the leftover meaty ham bone if desired. You can replace diced tomatoes with fresh tomatoes, increasing the cooking time slightly. For a vegetarian version, substitute the ham bone with vegetable broth.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 161
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 23mg
Find it online: https://bakeitwell.com/ham-barley-soup
Recipe Tips
- If the soup gets too thick after cooking, adding a cup of low-sodium broth or water can help adjust the consistency.
- When using delicate vegetables, add them in the last hour of cooking to prevent mushiness, maintaining their texture.
- If the ham adds too much salt, add about a cup of low-sodium broth or water to reduce the saltiness.
- For optimal flavor, place heartier vegetables like carrots and potatoes in first so they can cook properly.
- If your slow cooker is smaller than 7 quarts, consider cutting down the veggie amounts by about a quarter to fit comfortably.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this ham and barley soup alongside crusty bread and butter for a satisfying meal. A light salad adds freshness and complements the hearty flavors nicely.
This soup serves as a hearty base for meal variations. It works well as a filling for pot pies or as a topping for baked potatoes.
Top the soup with fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro for extra flavor. A sprinkle of black pepper can also enhance the taste.
Recipe variations
- You can use leftover turkey or chicken in place of ham for a different flavor profile that still delivers hearty goodness.
- Add 1 tablespoon of smoked paprika or ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes for a kick of spice and depth of flavor.
- Either substitute pearl barley with quinoa for a gluten-free option or use brown rice for an alternative grain base.
- For larger servings, increase the chicken broth to 10 cups and add an extra 1½ cups of diced vegetables.
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How to Store?
To keep your ham & barley soup fresh, follow these storage tips:
Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This keeps it fresh and ready to eat.
Freezing: Place the soup in a freezer bag, removing excess air before sealing. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheating: Warm the soup on the stove over medium heat or in the microwave until hot. Stir occasionally for even heat distribution.
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If you enjoyed this Ham & Barley Soup or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. I appreciate taking time to read about this recipe, thank you!
