Old Fashioned Ham and Cabbage Soup

Name: Old Fashioned Ham and Cabbage Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 2 teaspoon olive oil; 1 large yellow onion (diced); 2 cloves garlic (minced*); 6 cups chicken stock (or ham or vegetable stock); 1.5 teaspoons salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 1/8 teaspoon dried mustard; 2-3 cups cabbage (finely shredded); 2 russet potatoes (peeled, cubed); 1.5 cups ham (cubed into bite sized pieces); 2 teaspoons parsley (dried); 1/2 teaspoon caraway seed; 1 tablespoon green onion (diced)

posted by Michelle Goth on Apr 15, 2020 (updated Apr 9, 2026)

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Old Fashioned Ham and Cabbage Soup is ready in about 45 minutes! This soup recipe is a great way to use up leftover ham, is gluten free and keto friendly.

Last week, I found myself the proud owner of two heads of cabbage and quickly learned that my family can only tolerate so much coleslaw. I had extra ham leftover, so I whipped up this Ham and Cabbage Soup (with potatoes)!

“Super easy and delicious way to use up holiday ham! I doubled the recipe and am using it for my next week of lunches.”- Olivia

an overhead photo of ham and cabbage soup in a blue pot

This Ham and Cabbage Soup actually took care of two problems for me; leftover ham from Easter, and my overabundance of cabbage! I also had extra potatoes to use, so this is a ham, cabbage AND potato soup recipe.

I was surprised at how easy it was. It’s a hearty, simple soup but the extra ham gives it a LOT of good flavor! Even though I originally made this after Easter, I feel like this recipe fits in the cozy winter soups category as well.

Recipe Modifications and Additions

If you’d like to customize this soup with additional vegetables, dice them small and add them alongside your onions. Veggies like carrots, celery, peas, mushrooms and green beans would all be welcome additions!
I used Russet potatoes, but Yukon gold would work as well.
For extra flavor, add red pepper flakes or fresh thyme.
To make this soup keto friendly, simply omit the potato. Instead of potato, try diced mushrooms!

Storing Leftover Cabbage Soup

Store leftovers from this cabbage soup recipe in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop in a saucepan, or in the microwave on half power.

If you have a leftover ham bone from your ham, keep it! You can use it to make simple ham stock, and replace the stock in this soup with your homemade stock. I think ham stock is one of the simplest and tastiest stocks you can make at home.