Cheesy Beer Ham Soup
Creamy, cheesy ham and vegetable soup with a hint of beer and mushrooms, perfect for comforting meals and suitable for lunch or dinner with a hearty flavor profile.
Ingredients
- 3 medium potatoes, peeled and cut up ⓘ
- 1 small onion, finely chopped ⓘ
- 2 c. water ⓘ
- canned or frozen corn ⓘ
- 1/2 to 1 can beer
- fresh or canned mushrooms ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. parsley ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. dried mustard ⓘ
- 1/3 c. cold water ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. flour ⓘ
- 2 c. shredded American cheese (8 oz.) ⓘ
- 2 c. cubed, fully cooked ham ⓘ
Instructions
- In a quart pan, combine potatoes and onion.
- Add 2 cups water; bring to boiling.
- Cover; cook for about 20 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.
- Stir in undrained corn, beer, mushrooms, parsley, and dried mustard.
- Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Blend cold water into flour; stir into hot vegetable mixture.
- Cook and stir until slightly thickened and bubbly.
- Stir in shredded American cheese and cubed ham.
- Continue heating and stirring until cheese melts.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using a stout or porter beer. If you're short on time, you can substitute the potatoes with frozen hash browns, which will cook faster. Fresh herbs can also be swapped with dried ones; just remember to adjust the quantities. Serve with crusty bread for a hearty meal. For a vegetarian version, skip the ham and use vegetable broth instead.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Cheesy Beer Ham Soup hot, garnished with additional parsley for a pop of color. It pairs beautifully with crusty bread or a side salad, making it a complete meal. For a lighter option, consider pairing it with a simple green salad dressed with Sour Cream Dressing For Fresh Fruit Salad for a refreshing contrast.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm the soup on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. You can also microwave individual portions, but be sure to cover the bowl to keep it from drying out.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Cheesy Beer Ham Soup contains roughly 1039 calories, with 59g protein, 215g carbohydrates, and 25g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (500% of the Daily Value), iron (222% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (220% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin D. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 923mg per serving (40% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of cheese in this soup?
Yes, you can substitute the American cheese with other melting cheeses like cheddar or Monterey Jack. Just keep in mind that the flavor profile will change slightly, and the soup may be a bit less creamy depending on the cheese used.
Is it possible to make this soup in advance?
Absolutely! You can prepare the soup up until the point of adding the cheese and ham, then cool and refrigerate it. When you're ready to serve, reheat and then stir in the cheese and ham until melted and warmed through.
How can I make this soup spicier?
To add a kick to your Cheesy Beer Ham Soup, include diced jalapeños or a dash of cayenne pepper when you add the corn and other ingredients. You can also serve it with hot sauce on the side for those who prefer to spice it up to their liking.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).