Food and Recipes Recipes Creamy Potato-and-Ham Hock Slow-Cooker Soup Recipe 5.0 (2) 2 Reviews This smoked ham hock soup is big on flavor and low on effort. By Karen Schroeder-Rankin Karen Schroeder-Rankin Karen Rankin is a chef, recipe developer, and food stylist with over 25 years experience cooking, developing recipes, styling food, and entertaining guests at her table and in restaurants. During the past 11 years, Karen has been styling food for various publications such as Cooking Light, Southern Living, Eating Well, Real Simple, as well as creating instructional videos for Southern Living Magazine's Tips from the Test Kitchen, featured on select television programming, and on websites. With an interest in the use of color, texture, and presentation, she develops recipes that are intended to surprise and delight the recipients of these dishes, both from a visual standpoint and a flavor experience. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on July 12, 2021 Print Share Share Tweet Pin Email Active Time: 45 mins Total Time: 4 hrs 45 mins Yield: 8 serves This smoked ham hock (available in the meat department at the grocery store) soup is big on flavor, low on effort. Because all the ingredients sit in the slow cooker together, the potatoes soak up each element, especially the ham, so every bite is a full-flavored one. With chunky pieces of potato and chopped ham hock, this soup is a filling entrée option. The heartiness of a creamy soup like this is perfect for a comforting dinner throughout the season (or anytime of year, really!). We like to add a splash of hot sauce at the end to add a kick to this creamy soup. Serve with crusty bread, a salad, and hot sauce on the side for an easy meal both kids and adults will love. Fresh chopped chives give extra color with the hot sauce on top. Ingredients 4 ½ pounds russet potatoes, chopped (about 10 cups) 2 pounds smoked ham hocks (about 3 ham hocks) 2 cups chopped yellow onion (from 1 medium onion) 1 cup chopped celery (from 3 stalks) 2 tablespoons minced garlic cloves (about 4 garlic cloves) 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme 2 ½ teaspoons kosher salt 1 teaspoon black pepper 5 cups chicken broth 1 cup heavy cream Chopped fresh chives Hot sauce Directions Place potatoes, ham hocks, onion, celery, garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper in a 7-quart slow cooker; add broth, and stir to combine. Cover and cook on HIGH until potatoes are tender, 4 hours. Remove ham hocks, and place on a plate to cool 15 minutes. Puree soup in slow cooker with an immersion blender until it's creamy but whole pieces of potato are still visible. Add cream, and stir. Once ham hocks are cool enough to handle, remove all meat and chop; discard fat and bone. Add meat to soup, and stir to combine. Ladle soup in bowls; top with chopped chives and a dash of hot sauce. Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Tips If you don't own an immersion blender, transfer half of the hot soup to a regular blender. Remove the center piece on the blender's lid to allow steam to escape. Secure lid on the blender, and cover opening with a towel; process until smooth. Return pureed potato soup to the slow cooker. Print