You can do a lot with a leftover ham bone, especially to make flavorful soups, stocks, and stews. Here are some popular and practical ideas:

What to Do with a Ham Bone

• Make Ham Bone Soup or Stock : Simmer the ham bone in water (with or without vegetables like onion, carrots, celery) for 30 minutes to several hours to extract flavor, creating a rich broth. This broth can be the base for soups or used later in recipes

• Ham and Potato Soup : Use the ham bone to make a broth, then add potatoes, onions, garlic, and leftover ham chunks for a hearty soup

• Bean Soups and Stews : Add the ham bone to slow-cooked beans (white beans, red beans, lentils) to infuse smoky, savory flavor. This is a classic use, often paired with vegetables and herbs

• Greens and Vegetables : Simmer the ham bone with collard greens, black-eyed peas, or other greens to add depth and smokiness to the dish

• Ham and Corn Chowder : Make a creamy chowder by first making broth with the ham bone, then adding corn, potatoes, and cream or milk

• Freeze for Later : If you can't use the ham bone immediately, you can freeze it and then thaw it in the refrigerator before making stock or soup

Tips

• Simmer the bone gently to extract flavor without making the broth cloudy.
• Add leftover or "discard" vegetables like onion halves, carrot ends, celery stalks to enrich the broth.
• Remove the bone after simmering and shred any remaining meat to add back into the soup.
• Serve soups with crusty bread for a comforting meal

In summary, leftover ham bones are perfect for making flavorful stocks and soups, especially bean soups, potato soups, chowders, and vegetable dishes. They help you use every bit of the ham and create delicious meals from leftovers