Ah, Amish Snow Day Soup—a cozy, hearty, creamy soup perfect for cold winter days. It’s traditionally made with simple, wholesome ingredients and is easy to make in a big batch. Here’s a classic version:
Ingredients (Serves 6–8)
- 1 lb (450 g) ham, diced (or leftover cooked ham)
- 1 lb (450 g) potatoes, peeled and diced
- 2 cups carrots, diced
- 2 cups celery, diced
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup corn (optional, fresh or frozen)
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 3 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Sauté aromatics: In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Add onions, garlic, carrots, and celery. Cook 5–7 minutes until softened.
- Add ham and potatoes: Stir in diced ham and potatoes. Sprinkle flour over vegetables and ham, stirring to coat evenly. Cook 2–3 minutes to remove raw flour taste.
- Add broth & seasonings: Gradually add chicken broth, stirring constantly. Add thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook 15–20 minutes, until potatoes and carrots are tender.
- Finish with cream: Stir in cream or half-and-half, and heat gently—do not boil after adding cream to prevent curdling.
- Optional corn: Add corn in the last 5 minutes of cooking for sweetness and texture.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot with crusty bread or homemade rolls.
Tips & Variations
- Thicker soup: Mash a few potato pieces against the side of the pot to naturally thicken the soup.
- Extra flavor: Add a bay leaf while simmering, remove before serving.
- Vegetarian version: Skip the ham and use vegetable broth, adding smoked paprika for depth.
- Make ahead: Soup actually tastes better the next day as flavors meld.
This soup really lives up to the name—it’s perfect for snow days, comforting, filling, and a little creamy indulgence without being heavy.
If you want, I can give a crockpot version for Amish Snow Day Soup where you just throw everything in the slow cooker and come back to a ready-to-eat meal.
Do you want me to do that?
