Be sure to try my super popular Split Pea Soup recipe next!
Lentil Soup with Ham
Guys, I can’t even take credit for this. This is my mom’s lentil soup recipe. (The best recipes come from mom, it’s a fact.) I love making this with a big meaty ham bone and homemade chicken stock, but both are optional. Technically, you don’t even need the ham, but it adds a lot of delicious flavor. You can make this recipe in 55 minutes flat, or cook it low and slow with a ham bone all afternoon. (Just wait on adding the lentils until the time is right- read on for what you need to know!)
Lentil Soup with a Ham Bone
Ham bones add tremendous flavor to soup broths. If you have one on hand, follow these instructions for using it:
Use an uncleaned ham bone. When you remove the bone from the soup at the end of cooking, use two forks to shred the delicious pink meat from it and add it to the soup. Use 3 cups chicken broth, 1 cup beef broth, and 3 cups water. Add everything to the pot except for the lentils. No need to soften the vegetables first. They float to the surface of the soup and cook/soften in the fat from the ham bone Bring to a rapid boil, then decrease to a simmer. Simmer for at least 2-3 hours. The longer, the more flavorful your soup will be. Add the lentils during the last 45 minutes of cooking. Remove the ham bone, add in the ham, and serve.
Ham Bone Substitutes
Bone-in Picnic Shoulder or smoked ham shank
The following substitutions work well, however I recommend you use 1 cup of water instead of 3 for these:
Ham hock. Chopped salted pork and/or chopped smoked bacon can also be substituted.
Can You Overcook Lentils?
Yes, cooking lentils for too long will cause them to become mushy. Cooking them at a rapid boil will also cause them to get mushy. Simmer them slowly to keep them intact.
What to Add to Lentil Soup
Diced Potatoes– Add when you add the lentils. Cooked Sausage Spinach or Kale Cooked & Crumbled Bacon– Good alternative to ham Diced Tomatoes Parmesan Cheese-To Garnish
Try These Next!
Crock Pot Creamy Chicken Stew Crock Pot Chicken and Stuffing Ham and Bean Soup (Stove Top, Slow Cooker, or Instant Pot!) Ham Casserole with Broccoli and Rice
