Ham Potato Soup (Gluten-Free + Dairy-Free)

Gluten-free and dairy-free, this ham potato soup is pure comfort food. I designed this recipe specifically to build a flavorful soup base that doesn't rely on dairy creams. Slow-cooked all day in a Crock Pot or slow cooker, this soup starts with a mirepoix, which is a mix of onions, celery, and carrots, slowly cooked to sweeten the flavors. Paprika and thyme add flavor and crushed red pepper flakes add heat. A dash of lemon juice provides a touch of acid to enrich the flavors. I love the spice level in this soup and I hope you will too.

Important Ingredients

• Mirepoix — Mirepoix is a mix of onion, celery, and carrot, slowly cooked to build flavor, and is a common base for soups and stews. This recipe also adds garlic to the mirepoix and slow cooks it in vegan butter.

• Vegetable Broth – I prefer the richness of vegetable broth for this recipe, and one of my favorites is Kitchen Basics Vegetable Broth, which has a great flavor and is gluten-free.

• Chicken Bouillon – Chicken Bouillon adds flavor to this recipe. I like Herb Ox Chicken Bouillon.

How to Make this Recipe

Make the mirepoix. In the morning, turn your slow cooker on low and add the butter. While the butter is melting, chop the onion, celery, carrot, and garlic. Add all to the slow cooker and stir till coated in butter. Let this mixture cook on low for 3-4 hours. I usually wait till lunchtime, then add the other ingredients.

Add potatoes, broth, water, and spices. After the mirepoix has been cooking for 3-4 hours on low, turn the heat on the slow cooker to high, and add the potatoes, vegetable broth, water, black pepper, paprika, thyme, crushed red pepper flakes, chicken bouillon, salt, parsley, and lemon juice. Cook for 3-4 hours or until the potatoes are nearly soft.

Add ham. When the potatoes are nearly soft, add the pre-cooked, cubed ham to the slow cooker and give it about 30 minutes to warm through.

Add spinach. Add the spinach last, just before you are ready to serve.

Recipe Notes

Control your spice level. This soup has a medium heat to it. If you prefer less heat, feel free to adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes.

Substitutions

Olive Oil instead of vegan butter. Substituting olive oil for vegan butter works well in this recipe.

Choose your greens. Feel free to substitute the spinach for kale or green beans, or any other vegetables of your choice.