The Perfect Cozy Post-Holiday Soup with Wild Rice, Potatoes, Vegetables and Ham!
Hi! If you’ve been following me for long you’ll already know this, but for those who are new, welcome to Far From The Farm. I’m Mona, the Brit behind the recipes, learning life and food in the States while sharing our debt-free journey and what’s on the menu in our home today!
American soups hit differently from what I’m used to back home. They’re heartier, creamier, and packed with flavor. The kind that fill you up and make the whole house smell comforting. And this one might be my favorite yet.
This slow cooker soup is the perfect way to use up leftover holiday ham from Thanksgiving or Christmas when you want something cozy but also practical.
It takes those last pieces of ham sitting in the fridge or freezer and turns them into an easy, budget-friendly family meal that tastes like it came from a restaurant. Nothing fancy, just simple home cooking that makes the most of what you already have.
My mother-in-law recently made a brown sugar crockpot ham that was absolutely delicious, and after a week of ham sandwiches and reheated dinners, I diced up what was left and tucked it into the freezer.
When you’re on a debt-free journey like our family is, nothing goes to waste, especially meat. So when the weekend rolled around and I wanted something warming for lunch, I decided to give homemade soup a try.
And just a reminder that if you’re struggling and you need help with managing your budget or starting your own debt free journey then here’s some FREE resources below you may find helpful!
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Before moving to the States, I had never made soup from scratch. Those of you who’ve been here a while already know that before I got married and moved over here, I could quite literally barely boil an egg! Whatever the polar opposite of tradwife is, that was me.
So this whole process of learning how to make easy, family-friendly meals from scratch is still pretty new to me, and every recipe feels like one more step in that journey!
Backstory – I started sharing recipes on this blog as a way to journal learning to cook on a budget as a family on a debt-free journey, and somewhere along the way I found my footing, and a community too! Come join us!
Or even learn how to set up your own and create your own online family-cookbook journal too!
I’d seen a few people online making leftover ham soups and thought I’d just use what I had. A few potatoes, a cup of wild rice, frozen carrots, celery, and onions. Nothing special or expensive, yet together they made the most comforting meal.
I use my Instant Pot Pro with the slow cooker lid instead of a traditional slow cooker because I like keeping appliances to a minimum, and it works beautifully though you do have to always use it on the HIGH setting and make sure to cook things longer.
The result was a hearty, filling soup that felt like a hug in a bowl. The wild rice and potatoes give it substance, while the half-and-half stirred in at the end makes it creamy without being heavy.
It reminded me of those soothing broths from Scotland that use both grains and root vegetables for body. Or those tasty German soups that have larger chunks of meat and vegetables in them.
My husband likes a thicker soup, the kind you can mop up with a crusty piece of bread, so I added a little cornstarch slurry toward the end to bring it all together. If your family prefers something lighter, just add a bit more water and skip the thickener. This is an easy recipe to adjust.
The best part is that it uses everyday ingredients most of us already have at home. It’s exactly the kind of practical, frugal recipe that keeps our grocery bill low and still feels like a treat at the end of a long day.
As always, these photos are from my real kitchen here in our sweet military base home. No staged lighting or spotless marble counters. Just real life and real food made in a small space. Proof that you can feed your family well without needing a dream kitchen or fancy tools!
Alright, grab that leftover ham, open up the freezer, and let’s get slow-cooking!
Why You Should Give Your Instant Pot Slow Cooker Function a Try!
If you’ve never tried using your Instant Pot’s slow cooker function, take this as your friendly nudge. It’s such a game changer!
Not only does it keep the counter from being cluttered with extra gadgets, but if you’re using an Instant Pot Pro like I do, you can switch straight from sautéing to slow cooking in the same pan. Total time saver.
It’s been one of my favorite ways to speed up mealtimes while keeping things low-cost, cozy, and family friendly with almost no effort! Give it a whirl with this recipe today! Here’s what I use in my kitchen:
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Equipment
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Measuring jug
- Slow cooker
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Ingredients (Serves 4 to 6)
- 3 medium potatoes
- 2 cups diced ham (fresh or frozen is fine)
- ¼ cup frozen diced onion
- 1 to 2 cups frozen carrots
- 1 to 2 cups frozen celery
- 1 cup uncooked wild rice mix, rinsed and drained
- 2 tbsp seasoned salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp chicken bouillon powder
- 6 cups water
- 2 cups milk
Optional Thickener:
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 3 tbsp cold water
Freezer Meal Prep
You can absolutely prep this as a freezer meal!
Just add everything except the half and half to a labeled freezer bag. When you’re ready to cook, thaw overnight in the fridge and pour into your slow cooker.
Add the half and half near the end of cooking.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep the potatoes
Wash and dice 3 medium potatoes into bite-sized chunks. No need to peel unless you prefer to. Just remove any rough or green spots and toss them straight into the slow cooker.
Step 2: Rinse the wild rice
Rinse and drain 1 cup of wild rice mix, then add that into the pot as well.
Step 3: Add the vegetables
Tip in your frozen diced onions, carrots, and celery. No need to thaw them first, that’s the beauty of this recipe.
Step 4: Add the ham
Add in your diced ham, frozen or thawed. Both work fine and will cook beautifully in the slow cooker.
Step 5: Add the seasonings
Sprinkle in the seasoned salt, black pepper, and chicken bouillon powder.
Step 6: Add the water
Pour in 4 cups of water and give everything a gentle stir to combine.
Step 7: Slow cook
- Cover and cook on LOW for 8–10 hours or HIGH for 5–6 hours if using a standard slow cooker.
- If you’re using an Instant Pot with a slow cooker lid, cook on High Slow Cooker setting for 8–10 hours.
Step 8: Check water levels
Halfway through, give it a quick stir and check the water level. Some wild rice mixes absorb more than others, so you may want to add a cup or two more water depending on your texture preference.
Step 9: Add the dairy and thicken
About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the milk.
If you want a thicker, stew-like consistency, whisk together your cornstarch and water in a small bowl to make a slurry, then stir it in.
Step 10: Serve and enjoy
Serve hot with fresh crusty bread, homemade rolls or even my delicious Easy Bread Machine German Brötchen-Style Crusty Rolls Recipe! Perfect for lunch, dinner, or an easy meal prep option for the week ahead.
Notes and Troubleshooting
Notes:
- Change up the veggies! Frozen peas, corn, or green beans all work beautifully.
- Root vegetables like parsnips or sweet potatoes add even more flavor.
- If you prefer dairy-free, you can use full-fat coconut milk or oat milk instead of milk.
Troubleshooting:
- Soup too thin? Add a cornstarch slurry or instant mashed potato flakes. Or even use half and half instead of milk for an overall creamier texture!
- Too salty? Add a bit of water or plain cooked rice to absorb the saltiness.
- Too thick? Stir in a bit more hot water or broth until it reaches your preferred texture.
Storage
Cool completely before transferring to airtight containers.
- Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat gently on the hob or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or milk to loosen the texture if needed.
Serving Ideas
- Serve with crusty bread or homemade biscuits.
- Add a sprinkle of shredded cheese before serving for extra richness.
- Pair with a simple green salad for a balanced dinner.
- It’s also lovely with crackers or warm rolls on the side.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect for using up holiday leftovers like ham and veggies
- Cozy, creamy, and full of flavor
- Hands-off slow cooker method that saves time
- Frugal and filling with simple ingredients
- Tastes even better the next day
FAQ
Can I make this without dairy?
Yes! Substitute the milk with coconut milk or unsweetened almond milk for a creamy dairy-free version.
Can I use a ham bone?
You sure can. Add the ham bone in with the other ingredients, then remove before serving. It adds even more flavor to the broth. Just leave adding the seasonings until after cooking as you don’t want it to become too salty.
Can I use white or brown rice instead of wild rice?
Yes, go for it – soups are so easy to customise! Just make sure it’s uncooked rice you’re adding or if you want to add cooked rice just add it in about an hour before the end of cooking.
Slow Cooker Leftover Ham and Wild Rice Soup
October 27, 2025Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Wash and dice 3 medium potatoes into bite-sized chunks. No need to peel unless you prefer to. Just remove any rough or green spots and toss them straight into the slow cooker.
- Tip in your frozen diced onions, carrots, and celery. No need to thaw them first, that’s the beauty of this recipe.
- Add in your diced ham, frozen or thawed. Both work fine and will cook beautifully in the slow cooker.
- Sprinkle in the seasoned salt, black pepper, and chicken bouillon powder.
- Pour in 4 cups of water and give everything a gentle stir to combine.
- Slow Cooker Timings:Cover and cook on LOW for 8–10 hours or HIGH for 5–6 hours if using a standard slow cooker.If you’re using an Instant Pot with a slow cooker lid, cook on High Slow Cooker setting for 8–10 hours.
- Halfway through, give it a quick stir and check the water level. Some wild rice mixes absorb more than others, so you may want to add a cup or two more water depending on your texture preference.
- About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the milk.If you want a thicker, stew-like consistency, whisk together your cornstarch and water in a small bowl to make a slurry, then stir it in.
- Serve hot with fresh crusty bread or homemade rolls. Perfect for lunch, dinner, or an easy meal prep option for the week ahead!
Notes
- Change up the veggies! Frozen peas, corn, or green beans all work beautifully.
- Root vegetables like parsnips or sweet potatoes add even more flavor.
- If you prefer dairy-free, you can use full-fat coconut milk or oat milk instead of milk.
Storage
- Cool completely before transferring to airtight containers.
- Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat gently on the hob or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or milk to loosen the texture if needed.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
The Takeaway
Cozy, filling, and budget-friendly – this Slow Cooker Leftover Ham and Wild Rice Soup is comfort food done right. It proves that simple ingredients can come together into something deeply satisfying.
If you’re trying to stretch your grocery budget and still want hearty, homemade meals, this one’s worth adding to your rotation.
It’s the perfect way to bring life back to your leftover ham while feeding your family well!
What to Try Next?!
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Last update on 2026-03-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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