Description

This Instant Pot Ham and Potato Soup is a comforting and hearty dish perfect for chilly days. Packed with tender potatoes, smoky ham, and flavorful vegetables, it uses the convenience of an Instant Pot to deliver a warm, creamy soup in under 30 minutes. The combination of fresh garlic, Italian seasoning, and a rich broth creates a deliciously satisfying meal that’s easy to prepare and perfect for family dinners or leftovers.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

1 large carrot, chopped
2 sticks celery, chopped
1/2 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced

Main Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound smoked ham, cut into small pieces
2.5 pounds Russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces

Seasoning & Liquids

1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
4 cups chicken broth
2 cups water
Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

Sauté the Vegetables: Prep your celery, carrot, and onion by chopping them into small pieces. Add these vegetables to the Instant Pot along with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Using the sauté function, cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften and release their flavors.
Prepare Ham and Potatoes: While the vegetables are sautéing, chop the smoked ham into small pieces and peel and cut the Russet potatoes into roughly 1-inch cubes. You can prep these ingredients ahead of time if preferred.
Add Remaining Ingredients and Cook: Stir minced garlic into the sautéed vegetables. Then add the ham, potatoes, Italian seasoning, chicken broth, and water to the pot. Secure the lid and set the pressure valve to ‘sealing.’ Cook on high pressure for 8 minutes. Note that the Instant Pot will take around 10-15 minutes to come to pressure before the cooking countdown starts.
Release Pressure: When the cooking time is complete, release the pressure manually by carefully turning the valve to ‘venting.’ Alternatively, you can allow the pressure to naturally release if you prefer your potatoes to become very soft and fall-apart tender.
Mash and Season: Open the lid and use a potato masher to lightly mash some of the potatoes directly in the pot. This creates a nice texture mix of chunky and mashed potatoes. Finally, season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot immediately, and enjoy. This soup also makes excellent leftovers.

Notes

For a creamier texture, you can stir in some milk or cream after cooking.
If you prefer a thicker soup, mash more potatoes or add a slurry of cornstarch and water.
Use leftover ham or smoked ham hocks for deeper flavor.
Adjust seasoning as desired, adding herbs like thyme or parsley for variation.
This recipe freezes well—store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 3 months.