Gluten Free Ham and Broccoli Slow Cooker Soup (Keto)

When it comes to comfort food, slow cooker recipes like my Gluten Free Ham and Broccoli Slow Cooker Soup is an easy way to warm you up on a chilly day!

Of course ham and broccoli would not be complete without some cheese so I add in some cheddar cheese and cream cheese for the ultimate creaminess.

The best part about soup season is all of the crockpot recipes that provide endless warm bowls of soups like this ham vegetable chowder.

This slow cooker soup comes together quickly and the real cook time is done for you by the magic of the slow cooker!

I will share with you my favorite Gluten Free Ham, Broccoli and Cheese Slow Cooker recipe that also happens to be keto.

Keep reading as I also go over tips, substitutions and frequently asked questions answered that you may have.

Why I Choose my 6-Quart Slow Cooker over the Stovetop

My slow cooker, also often referred to as a Crock Pot, has become my go-to appliance in the winter for slow cooked delights, as well as in the warmer months to not have to turn my oven on.

When cooking soups on the stovetop, you have to stir frequently, and it uses up more electricity which is only good for short term cooking. To get the amazing flavor, like in my Gluten Free Ham and Broccoli Slow Cooker Soup, the cooking process is done at low heat for a longer amount of time.

The slow cooker allows you to set-it-and-forget-it and frees up your stovetop for other things. Another plus of the crockpot is that it is enameled for the low heat and rarely ever has food stick to it. Its temperature is also regulated at a certain temperature setting so the simple ingredients are transformed without a lot of hands-on time and no need to stir it.

Fun Fact: Slow cookers are more energy efficient than electric ovens because the heating elements use a shallow current and rely on trapped heat to cook food. 

A slow cooker running for 8-9 hours uses about 1300 watts, versus electric ovens, 2,000 – 5000 watts for 60 minutes of cooking at 350°F. 

Ingredients needed to make my Easy Crockpot Ham and Broccoli Slow Cooker Soup

• Ham steak , Ham Hock 
• Fresh broccoli
• Cheddar Cheese
• Onion
• Chicken broth
• Heavy Cream
• Cream Cheese
• Garlic Cloves
• Black pepper
• Nutmeg
• Onion Powders
• Garlic Powder
• Dried Parsley or Fresh Parsley
• Diced Celery Stalks; optional
• Xanthan Gum or Glucomannan

Time to make my Easy Slow Cooker Ham and Broccoli Cheese Soup

The best beginning for a crockpot recipe is to prepare all of your ingredients and follow your recipe from the top, adding them into the slow cooker as you go.

This is the best way to follow any crockpot recipe, so you do not forget an ingredient.

Start by chopping up the boneless ham, if it is not already, into bite size pieces. You want the pieces of the soup to be approximately tablespoon size or smaller.

Continue chopping and preparing the fresh ingredients as needed such as the broccoli, onion, and optional celery if you are using.

In a large skillet add in little bit of oil and sauté your onions, celery and chopped garlic cloves until softened a bit. Add the sauteed onion, celery and garlic to the crockpot along with the chopped broccoli and chicken broth.

Cover your slow cooker with the lid and turn it on HIGH for 2 hours. Do not remove the lid or disturb it during this time.

In a small bowl whisk together all of the spices you are to add so they distribute better. Now reduce the setting to LOW and add in half of the cheddar cheese, heavy cream, cream cheese, and blended spices EXCEPT for the xanthan gum or glucomannan.

The soup base needs to be well mixed and smooth before adding in the thickening addition.

Push the broccoli to one side as best as you can and sprinkle the xanthan gum or glucomannan in the broth while whisking. 

You want it to be blended well before you continue. Add in your chopped ham and stir very well.

Cook on LOW for 1 hour minimum and up to an additional 3 hours of cooking time. Fair warning that I would not let it cook on low for any longer or it may burn the cheese. Keep it on warm if you cannot eat it right away.

Once you are ready to eat, stir in the rest of the shredded cheddar cheese and leave it covered for 20 minutes. Give it a final stir then serve up.

Leftovers will keep in an airtight container or jar up to 5 days in the fridge. If you wish to freeze it, you need to let it cool to room temperature then transfer to a zip top freezer bag up to 3 months.

To enjoy again, simply thaw in the fridge overnight, or in lukewarm water. Warm it up in a pan on the stove for best flavor.

I am not a fan of the idea, but you can warm up in the microwave in 2-minute bursts stirring well in-between each interval.

If you want to have this soup ready to go for a special occasion, make a whole lot then freeze versus grabbing something at the grocery store. Thaw the night before, then before the event, put the soup into the crockpot on the lowest setting, possibly WARM, and it will be ready when its time to eat.

Tips, Substitutions, and FAQs

• This soup is a great base to add in a simple vegetable like sweet potatoes or red potatoes if you are not concerned with it being low carb or keto. This would add a starchy creaminess and turn it into a ham, broccoli, cheese and potatoes recipe.

• Try a sharp cheddar cheese, or a smoked cheddar for extra smoky flavor on your taste buds.

• Turn this cheesy soup into different variations when you add Italian Seasoning like your favorite Italian Recipes, or add in some Cumin plus Chili Powder like your favorite Mexican Recipes.

• Before adding the ham to the soup, sauté it briefly in a skillet with a touch of Keto Maple Syrup or Keto Brown Sugar to flavor it. The subtle sweetness gives this great recipe a secret ingredient flavor that complements the smoky ham.

• If you have a leftover ham bone, throw it in for an extra depth of flavor and just remove it at the end.

• Use ham stock instead of low sodium chicken broth for more ham flavor. In your 6 quart or even a full 4-quart cooker, add in a leftover ham bone along with vegetable scraps with water and let it stew on low all day. Strain the contents, keep the liquid to use as broth, and keep the bits of ham for a quick ham bone soup. 

• If you are cooking a crock pot ham up for dinner, after the ham is served, immediately cut the ham for storage and use the leftover liquid as your broth to make my Gluten Free Ham and Broccoli Slow Cooker soup. This accomplishes your broth and your ham in one swoop.

• Make some crusty bread from The Best Gluten Free Low Carb Bread Recipe to go along with a bowl of this Gluten Free Ham and Broccoli Soup. A warm piece of homemade bread never tasted so amazing after being dipped into a bowl of warm soup.

• Consider adding in a tablespoon of sour cream for creaminess instead of cream cheese.

• You can serve different side dishes with this soup like a grilled sandwich or crackers to name a few.

Can I use a spiral ham for this recipe? Absolutely! A spiral ham can add a unique touch and make the soup even heartier. Make the ham in the slow cooker with a slow cooker ham recipe then an easy ham chowder can be made with the broth from the bone. Just add in the cheese and seasonings.

Can I make this soup without the broccoli? If you are not a fan of broccoli you can easily make this soup without it. You can also replace it with fresh green beans or cauliflower. Proceed with the recipe as written and just sub in your choice of vegetable.

Can I freeze leftovers for later? Yes, this soup freezes very well and is also a time saver for quick and easy meals later. Make sure you let it come to room temperature first before putting it into a sealed, airtight container. 

Is there a way to sub in a few pounds of chicken for the ham if I want a different flavor? Yes, this would work just fine! You have to make sure the chicken is cooked completely before adding to the soup. You may consider a splash of white wine with the chicken broth for added flavor. Also adding a bay leaf will give the soup a great hint of herbal flavor. Consider using leftover turkey from Thanksgiving Dinner as your poultry choice in this recipe too.

If I want to make this in my Instant Pot pressure cooker would it still work? Yes, it would work! You would need to saute right in the pot and then skip adding in the cream cheese, heavy cream and shredded cheddar until it has cooked completely. Add the broth, broccoli, ham and spices to the Instant Pot. Set the pressure to HIGH and cook for 10 minutes. Once the time is up do a quick release of the pressure and see that your broccoli is tender enough to your liking. If it needs to cook more, restart and cook on HIGH for 2 minutes. Quick release the pressure and then stir in the cream cheese, heavy cream and shredded cheddar. Turn the Instant Pot off and cover for 20 minutes. Give it another stir and serve up.

Can I use this recipe to make a cheesy vegetable soup or a bean soup? If you do not want to use meat but still have protein, the only change is to substitute the ham with great northern beans or extra vegetables for a complete meal. As long as the veggies are steamed to al dente or from a can then you can proceed all the way to the end where you thicken the broth with the xanthan gum or glucomannan. If you are also using potatoes, then they will naturally thicken the soup like a potato soup without the need for the thickener.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 2 cup servings
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories	167
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 12g	15%
Saturated Fat 7.5g	37%
Cholesterol 52mg	17%
Sodium 530mg	23%
Total Carbohydrate 3.5g	1%
Dietary Fiber 1g	4%
Total Sugars 1.2g
Protein 10.6g
Vitamin D 0mcg	0%
Calcium 93mg	7%
Iron 1mg	4%
Potassium 239mg	5%

My slow cooker ham, broccoli, and cheese soup is the ultimate comfort food and a great meal anytime. If you are just using your slow cooker for the first time or you are an avid slow cooker user, this recipe is a great way to create a flavorful and satisfying meal for the whole family. 

The ease of preparation, coupled with the rich ham flavor and cheesy goodness, makes it a go-to option for any occasion – from game nights to church potlucks or just for some simple meal prep. So gather up your ingredients, and let your slow cooker do the cooking while you enjoy a great time with your loved ones.

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