There’s something magical about a steaming bowl of Christmas Healthy Creamy Ham & Potato Soup on a chilly holiday evening. It’s the dish I turn to when I want comfort without the guilt—rich, velvety, and packed with flavor, yet light enough that you won’t feel weighed down after seconds (or thirds!). My family actually fights over the last spoonful, especially my brother, who swears it’s better than Grandma’s (shh, don’t tell her).
What I love most is how it brings everyone together. Whether it’s simmering on the stove while we trim the tree or serving as the star of our Christmas Eve buffet, this soup feels like a hug in a bowl. And here’s the secret: the Greek yogurt adds that luscious creaminess while keeping it lean, and the low-sodium broth lets the ham and thyme really shine. It’s the kind of recipe that makes holiday cooking feel effortless—because honestly, shouldn’t we all be sipping cocoa by the fire instead of stressing in the kitchen?
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Healthy Creamy Ham & Potato Soup
This soup isn’t just delicious—it’s your holiday miracle worker. Here’s why it’s about to become your new Christmas tradition:
- Effortless elegance: Just chop, simmer, and stir—it’s ready in 35 minutes flat (perfect for when guests arrive unannounced!)
- Cozy without the guilt: Greek yogurt gives that velvety texture instead of heavy cream, and low-sodium broth keeps it balanced
- Leftover magic: Uses up holiday ham beautifully (I always steal extra from my mom’s glazed spiral ham)
- Crowd-pleaser: The thyme-kissed broth and tender potatoes make even veggie-skeptics go back for seconds
- Festive flexibility: Dress it up with parsley for Christmas dinner or keep it simple for weeknight leftovers
Trust me, one bite and you’ll understand why my family demands this every December—it’s comfort food that actually loves you back.
Ingredients for Christmas Healthy Creamy Ham & Potato Soup
Gather these simple ingredients – you probably have most in your kitchen already! The magic happens when humble staples transform into something extraordinary:
- 2 cups diced ham (I raid Christmas leftovers, but store-bought works too)
- 4 cups diced potatoes (Yukon Golds are my favorite – creamy but hold shape)
- 1 diced onion (yellow for sweetness, white for punch)
- 2 minced garlic cloves (fresh is best – that jarred stuff makes Grandma frown)
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth (healthier swap that lets other flavors shine)
- 1 cup milk (whole for richness, low-fat if you’re watching calories)
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (our sneaky creamy star – full-fat gives best texture)
- 1 tsp thyme (fresh if you’ve got it, dried works in a pinch)
- 1 tsp black pepper (freshly cracked – trust me, it matters)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for that golden onion sauté)
See? Nothing fancy – just real food that makes real magic. Now let’s make some soup!
How to Make Christmas Healthy Creamy Ham & Potato Soup
Okay, friends, let’s get that pot bubbling! This soup comes together like a cozy Christmas carol – each step builds on the last until you’ve got pure harmony. Here’s exactly how I do it (with all my little chef secrets sprinkled in):
- Heat the olive oil in your favorite soup pot over medium heat. Not too hot – we’re coaxing flavors, not racing them! I use my blue enamel Dutch oven because it distributes heat beautifully (and makes me feel fancy).
- Sauté the onion and garlic until they’re soft and fragrant – about 3 minutes. This is where the flavor foundation happens! My trick? Add a pinch of salt here to help the onions sweat without browning too much.
- Toss in the ham and potatoes, stirring to coat them in all that aromatic goodness. Let them mingle for about 3 minutes – you’ll see the ham get slightly golden at the edges (that’s flavor gold, my friend!).
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring everything to a gentle boil. Then reduce to a simmer and let it bubble away until the potatoes are fork-tender – usually 15-20 minutes. I test by fishing out a potato cube and pressing it gently – it should yield but not disintegrate.
- Now for the creamy magic! Turn the heat to low and stir in the milk, Greek yogurt, thyme, and black pepper. This is KEY – adding dairy last prevents curdling. Stir gently as everything comes together into velvety perfection. Let it simmer for 5 more minutes to let the flavors marry.
That’s it! You’ve just made holiday magic in under 30 minutes. Now for my pro tips to take it over the top…
Tips for the Best Christmas Healthy Creamy Ham & Potato Soup
After making this soup every Christmas for a decade, I’ve learned a few tricks:
- Cream control: For extra richness, swap half the milk for evaporated milk. Want it lighter? Use low-fat milk and increase Greek yogurt by 2 tbsp.
- Thickness tweaks: Too thick? Add broth 1/4 cup at a time. Too thin? Mash a few potato pieces against the pot to thicken naturally.
- Garnish game: Fresh parsley adds color, but crispy fried shallets or a sprinkle of smoked paprika make it fancy for Christmas dinner.
- Yogurt wisdom: Always temper it – stir a spoonful of hot broth into the yogurt before adding to prevent curdling.
Remember, soup is forgiving – taste and adjust as you go. More pepper? Go for it! Extra thyme? Why not! Make it your own.
Ingredient Substitutions & Notes
No ham? No problem! Here’s how to adapt this soup to your pantry:
- Dairy swaps: Almond or oat milk work beautifully (though the soup will be thinner). For yogurt, sour cream makes a good backup, but reduce by 1 tbsp since it’s tangier.
- Protein options: Turkey ham keeps it lean, or use rotisserie chicken for a different twist. Vegetarian? Try white beans for heartiness.
- Thickening tricks: If you prefer a thicker soup, mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp cold water and stir in during the last 5 minutes.
- Prep note: When measuring diced ham, pack it lightly – about 8 oz should give you 2 cups.
The beauty? This recipe welcomes creativity – it’s survived all my kitchen experiments!
Serving Suggestions for Christmas Healthy Creamy Ham & Potato Soup
This soup shines brightest with simple sides that let it be the star. I always serve it with crusty sourdough bread for dunking—my local bakery’s rosemary loaf is perfect for tearing and sharing. For Christmas dinners, pair it with a winter kale salad (tossed with pomegranate and pecans) to balance the richness.
Garnish ideas? Fresh parsley adds a pop of color, but for holiday flair, try crispy fried shallots or a swirl of thyme-infused olive oil. My niece loves when I float mini toast rounds topped with melted Gruyère on top—instant festive croutons!
Storage & Reheating
This soup keeps like a dream! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days – the flavors actually deepen overnight. For freezing, skip the yogurt (add it fresh when reheating) and it’ll last 2 months. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of broth to loosen it up. Warning: microwaving can make the yogurt separate, so low and slow is the way to go!
Nutritional Information
Here’s the scoop on what’s in each comforting bowl (based on 1-cup servings): 220 calories, 15g protein, and just 8g fat thanks to our Greek yogurt trick. You’re also getting 3g fiber from those potatoes – not bad for something this creamy!
Remember, these are estimates – using different ham brands or milk percentages will tweak the numbers. But honestly? When it tastes this good and fills you up without the post-meal slump, it’s basically holiday magic in nutritional form.
FAQs About Christmas Healthy Creamy Ham & Potato Soup
Can I freeze this soup? Absolutely! Just leave out the Greek yogurt before freezing (add it fresh when reheating). The base freezes beautifully for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then warm gently on the stove with a splash of broth.
Is this soup gluten-free? Yes! All the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, but always double-check your chicken broth label to be safe. I use Pacific Foods brand – their low-sodium version is my go-to.
Can I make it vegetarian? Of course! Swap the ham for white beans or mushrooms, and use veggie broth. You’ll still get that hearty texture and rich flavor – my sister’s vegan version with coconut milk yogurt is surprisingly delicious.
Why did my yogurt curdle? Likely added it to boiling soup! Always temper yogurt first by mixing a spoonful of hot broth into it, then stir the mixture into the pot off the heat. Low-fat yogurt curdles easier too – full-fat is more forgiving.
Can I prep this ahead for Christmas? You bet! Chop everything the day before (store potatoes in water to prevent browning). The soup itself tastes even better made 1-2 days ahead – just add the yogurt when reheating.
Print
35-Minute Christmas Healthy Creamy Ham & Potato Soup Bliss
- Total Time: 35 mins
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
A comforting and healthy creamy ham and potato soup perfect for Christmas. It’s rich, flavorful, and easy to make.
Ingredients
- 2 cups diced ham
- 4 cups diced potatoes
- 1 diced onion
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat.
- Add onion and garlic, sauté until soft.
- Stir in ham and potatoes, cook for 3 minutes.
- Pour in chicken broth, bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender.
- Stir in milk, Greek yogurt, thyme, and black pepper.
- Simmer for 5 more minutes.
- Serve warm.
Notes
- Use low-fat milk for a lighter version.
- Add more broth if you prefer a thinner soup.
- Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American