Ham and green bean soup is a comforting, nourishing dish that comes together quickly when using leftover ham and green beans. This low-calorie, lower-carb soup is ideal for maintenance phases of low-carb eating and for those following THM.
This is one of my favorite soups and I make it whenever I cook a ham. It’s a great way to use holiday leftovers, and I often cook a little extra green beans during holiday meals just so I can make this. If you don’t have leftover green beans, you can use fresh ones—either way the soup is delicious.
My mother used to make a version with flat Italian green beans, but those are hard to find for me, so I use regular green beans. This recipe isn’t a direct family heirloom—my mother was an intuitive cook who seasoned by taste—but the soup brings back the same homey flavors.
Using leftover ham, green beans, and the ham drippings or pan broth makes the soup come together faster and gives it wonderful depth of flavor. If you don’t have leftovers, the recipe works well with fresh ingredients too.
If you follow a strict low-carb or keto plan, you may want to omit the potatoes—root vegetables add carbs and are often avoided during weight-loss phases. I usually make this soup only occasionally because it tastes like home and reminds me of my mother.
This Hearty Ham and Green Bean Soup is about 10 net carbs per serving.
*Not suitable for diabetics.
Hearty, Low Carb Ham And Green Bean Soup
Ingredients
- 1 quart ham broth
- 1 quart chicken broth
- 2 cups water
- 2 tablespoons bacon drippings or oil
- 2 cloves garlic (chopped)
- 3 ounces onion (chopped)
- 1 pound green beans cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 pound red potatoes (cubed)
- 1 pound ham (cubed)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon liquid smoke
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
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Chop the onion and garlic. Heat the bacon drippings or oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Sauté the onion and garlic until translucent. While the onion cooks, chop the potatoes into bite-sized pieces and, if using fresh beans, cut them into pieces as well.
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Add the ham broth, chicken broth, and water to the pot and bring to a low boil. Skim any foam that rises. Add the green beans and cook a few minutes, then add the potatoes, salt, liquid smoke, and garlic powder. Simmer gently until the potatoes are tender. Stir in the cubed ham, heat through, adjust seasonings, and serve.
Notes
That same ham broth is excellent for cooking green beans—drain and reserve any liquid to freeze for another use.
Nutrition
Healthy Chicken Minestrone Vegetable Soup (low carb, keto)