Stovetop or Slow Cooker Ham Bone and Potato Soup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Does soup taste better in slow cooker? ›

That's because the low, slow style of cooking lets the flavors simmer together for hours, creating a much richer and more flavorful meal.

For best results, try to use your frozen ham bone within three months. There may be some loss of flavor if you keep it longer, and any bits of meat and cartilage remaining on it may get freezer burn or dry out. Ham bones are packed with so much rich, flavor.

Russets or all-purpose baking potatoes are high in starch and low in moisture. In soups, they will soak up the liquid and lose their shape. This makes them the ideal choice for making creamy soups or thickening a runny soup. Try using Russet potatoes to create the perfect Loaded Potato Soup.

Soaking cut potatoes in water can help remove excess starch, preventing the soup from becoming too thick. However, if you prefer a thicker soup or if you're short on time, you can skip this step.

On the positive side, a slow cooker is a sealed environment. This means there's very little evaporation and your food cooks with the help of moist heat. Technically, this means you're actually cooking your food with flavored steam, which helps to seal in flavor while the soup cooks.

Warming the soup in a saucepan will always give a soup with a better flavour than the same soup heated in the microwave.

Add a little flour or cornstarch. Often a good idea to mix either with a little warm water in a small bowl, and the add to the soup. You can also add some cooked, cubed potatoes (canned will work), to thicken. Instant potato flakes will work, too.

They're not a super-fancy item only found at gourmet grocery stores—I buy mine at the local Safeway. If you can't find them, just ask. Both fresh and smoked ham bones need to be cooked thoroughly before eating and do best when simmered slowly for hours in a pot of soup.

Use Cornstarch or Arrowroot Powder

Slowly add this mixture to your soup, stirring continuously. Let the soup simmer for a few minutes until it reaches the desired thickness. Remember to follow the recommended ratio of starch to liquid to avoid clumping.

There's no need to boil potatoes before adding them to soup. Just be sure to add them with enough time to cook without overcooking the other soup ingredients. For diced potatoes, this is typically 10 to 15 minutes.

How do you keep potatoes firm in potato soup? ›

Yes, adding heavy cream or milk can be a great way to thicken your potato soup while also adding richness and creaminess. Simply pour in a small amount of cream or milk while your soup is simmering, then continue to cook until it reaches the desired thickness. Be sure to stir frequently to avoid scorching.

The secret to making mashed potatoes extra-flavorful is cooking them in chicken broth. They're mashed until smooth and creamy, with just the right amount of butter and cream to make a homestyle potato side everyone will enjoy.

You can thicken a broth, soup, or stew by using potato water rather than plain water, again avoiding using flour if you are eliminating gluten. Some people even like to turn potato water into a broth by adding celery salt, black pepper, and a little bouillon. Don't toss the potato water–look for ways to put it to use.

Our answer. Slow cookers can be useful for cooking stews, but generally the combination of low heat and a tightly fitting lid will mean that the auce doesn't get a chace to thicken (by reduction) and consequently the sauce can be a little thin.

Editor's Tip: Can you overcook soup in a slow cooker? It's a common question—and the short answer is yes. Ingredients like veggies, pasta and rice can get very mushy if left in the slow cooker too long. Many meats will toughen, too.

Use fresh vegetables, high-quality meats or broth, and fresh herbs to add depth of flavor. Add acidity: A squeeze of lemon or lime juice, a dash of vinegar, or a splash of wine can brighten the flavors of a soup and make it taste more complex.

By cooking foods at low temperatures for extended periods, slow cooking can help retain essential nutrients while also enhancing the flavor profile of the meal. Slow cooking is not a new phenomenon. Humans have been slow-cooking their food for thousands of years.