Zesty Ham and broccoli cheese soup – low carb and tasty

When it starts to get cold outside, there’s nothing like a warm and hearty soup at the ready and this Ham and broccoli cheese soup really hits the spot. Not only is this soup low carb and keto friendly but it is filling and filled with nutritious ingredients like broccoli, onions, sliced ham and cheddar cheese.

It’s a totally comforting meal that can be served on its own or with some delicious side dishes we also offer below. If you have some leftover ham and some cheese and broccoli, then make this your must do soup dish for lunch, dinner or any time you are craving a hearty soup.

Is ham and broccoli soup low carb or keto friendly?

Yes, ham and broccoli soup can be low-carb or keto-friendly if prepared with the right ingredients. Here’s what to look for:
Here are some Keto-friendly ingredients to use:
1. Ham – Naturally low in carbs, but check for added sugars in pre-packaged or glazed hams.
2. Broccoli – Keto-friendly, low in carbs, and high in fiber, making it a good vegetable choice.
3. Broth– Opt for a broth without added sugars or carbs.
4. Heavy Cream or use Cream Cheese – Both are low-carb, adding richness without extra carbs.
5. Cheese*– Sharp cheddar or Parmesan add flavor without carbs, just check the nutrition label for any added starches.

Ingredients to Avoid or substitute

– Avoid any ingredients that include flour, cornstarch, or potatoes, which are common thickeners but not keto-friendly. We recommend using heavy cream, cream cheese or even almond milk as a thickening agent.
– For thickness without carbs, try adding extra cheese, xanthan gum, or blending a small portion of the broccoli and broth together.

With these adjustments, ham and broccoli soup is not only low-carb but can also fit easily into a keto diet.

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Ingredients to making a ham, broccoli and cheese soup

1/2 large onion, chopped

4 slices of bacon

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 1/2 cup almond milk or heavy whipping cream

2 cups of chicken broth

2 cups of broccoli

2 cups of chopped ham

2 cups of cheddar cheese

2 stalks celery, chopped

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp red chili flakes

How to Make this Ham, broccoli and cheese soup

You can choose to cook in a stock pot or dutch oven over a stove top and I have used both types of pots with success.

In a large pot or Dutch oven cook the bacon to your desired crunchy factor, remove and set aside

Add your onion and garlic to the bacon grease and sauté until onion is soft

Add chicken broth to the mixture ( I like my onions pulsed and creamy so I do an added step of placing into a blender and pulse a few times). You can omit this step if you like to get more chunky bites of onion in your soup.

Add the almond milk or heavy whipping cream, then the broccoli and spices and simmer on medium for around 14 minutes

Add your chopped ham and then stir constantly while you incorporate the cheddar cheese into the soup.

Serve your soup:

Add extra cheese and bacon toppings and serve hot.

Additional side dishes to consider

If you are looking for some side dishes to accompany your ham and broccoli soup, consider these dishes below:

Low Carb Kale Recipes

Low Carb Broccoli Recipes

Low Carb Butternut Squash

Quinoa Apple Salad

Low Carb Chicken Salad

Does this store well in a fridge or freezer

Typically, soup can store well in the fridge in the pot for a week. I don’t tend to freeze this soup dish because of the heavy cream or almond milk which separates and the cheese also doesn’t hold up so well. But you can store it in the fridge and consume it for a weeks timeframe or longer.

Conclusion on Ham and Broccoli Soup

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