Country Ham Chowder
Creamy, hearty country ham chowder features tender potatoes, flavorful ham, and sharp cheddar, perfect for warming up on a cold day or serving as comfort food.
Ingredients
- 2 medium potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes ⓘ
- 3 Tbsp. butter ⓘ
- 3/4 c. chopped onions ⓘ
- 1/4 c. chopped carrots ⓘ
- 1/4 c. chopped celery ⓘ
- 3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour ⓘ
- 2 1/2 to 3 c. milk ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. pepper ⓘ
- pinch of salt ⓘ
- 2 tsp. Dijon mustard ⓘ
- 1 c. finely chopped ham ⓘ
- 1 1/2 c. grated sharp Cheddar cheese ⓘ
Instructions
- Simmer potatoes and carrots in 3/4 cup water, covered, about 10 minutes or until tender.
- Reserve any liquid for the soup.
- Melt butter in a large saucepan.
- Saute onions and celery until golden brown and soft.
- Stir in flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring well.
- Add milk, potatoes with liquid, pepper, salt, and mustard.
- Bring to a slow simmer.
- Add ham and cheese.
- Cook over low heat for 5 minutes.
- Serve hot.
Tips & Substitutions
For a creamier chowder, consider blending a portion of the soup before adding the ham and cheese. If you want to lighten it up, substitute some of the milk with low-sodium vegetable broth. You can also use sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes for a different flavor profile. Consider adding leftover vegetables from your meal prep for extra nutrition and flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Country Ham Chowder with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with Homemade Chilli for a hearty dinner. Garnish with additional cheese or fresh herbs for added flavor. This chowder is also excellent as a filling lunch option or a comforting dinner choice during colder months.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, do so gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of milk to restore creaminess. Avoid microwaving as it may change the texture of the cheese and potatoes.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Country Ham Chowder contains roughly 1274 calories, with 23g protein, 98g carbohydrates, and 90g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (255% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (70% of the Daily Value), and potassium (59% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2429mg per serving (106% 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 different types of cheese in this chowder?
Yes, you can substitute sharp Cheddar with other cheeses like Gruyère or Monterey Jack for a different flavor. Just ensure the cheese melts well to maintain the creamy texture of the chowder.
Is it possible to make this chowder vegetarian?
Absolutely! You can omit the ham and replace it with a variety of vegetables like mushrooms or zucchini for added texture. Use vegetable broth instead of milk for a lighter option, though you might want to add a bit of nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.
What can I do with leftovers?
Leftover chowder can be repurposed into a delicious soup base for other dishes. Consider using it in a casserole or as a sauce over steamed vegetables. It's also tasty as a filling for baked potatoes or in a wrap with fresh greens.
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).