How to Make the Best Slow Cooker Ham Stock

Slow Cooker Ham Stock is the easy way to make ham bone broth at home. This rich and flavorful homemade ham broth is perfect for using when making homemade soup! This easy ham stock recipe is made in the slow cooker to make things super easy and the flavor amazing.

Slow Cooker Ham Stock

I don’t like to have waste in our house so anytime I make a large meat with a bone like a chicken, turkey or ham I make broth to use later in other recipes. Sometimes I use it right away and other times I freeze it to use later. Having homemade stock and homemade broth on hand makes life easier and it tastes so much better then store bought broth.

If you have never made homemade stock before it is super easy. To make things even easier we use the slow cooker to make this ham broth and then I don’t even have to worry about having anything on the stove. Just put all the ingredients into the slow cooker and I let the slow cooker do all the work.

What can I use ham stock for? Ham stock is a great base to use for soup or stews. 

My favorite is for pea soup as it gives it that extra ham flavor or for a lentil soup. I like changing out the vegetable broth for ham stock in my Instant Pot Lentil Soup and it’s delish! You can use this homemade ham broth in any recipe that calls for ham stock or ham broth.

Can I make Slow Cooker Ham Stock on the Stove?

Yes, you can, add all of the ingredients to a large stockpot or a dutch oven and simmer over low heat for 4-5 hours.

I don’t have a ham bone, can I still make stock with my leftover ham? 

Absolutely. Ham stock can be made with just leftover ham as well. Now admittedly the bone does add a little something extra to the flavor, however, using ham alone will still make a delicious stock.

How much broth does this recipe make?

This recipe makes 6.5 cups of ham broth.

How to Store Broth

Storing broth is easy and must be stored in the fridge or freezer. When storing in the fridge, you can store it in ziploc bags or my favorite way which is in a mason jar. It is important to store broth in an air tight container.

How long does homemade Ham Broth last?

The homemade broth will last for 4-5 days in the fridge.

How to Freeze Homemade Ham Broth

There are multiple ways to freeze homemade ham broth. However, I find the easiest way to freeze ham broth is to pour it into ice cube trays and freeze the broth. Then once the broth is frozen store it in a ziploc freezer bag.

You can also cool your ham broth and then pour it into a freezer bag and freezer it by laying it flat in the freezer.

The most important thing to remember when freezing Ham stock is that you put a date on it. Ham Broth will keep in the freezer for 6 months or a deep freezer for 12 months.

Be sure to check out the full instructions for how to freeze soups and stocks.

I love freezing things, if you do as well, be sure to check out these other great posts for freezing things!

• How to Freeze Blueberries
• Easily freeze strawberries
• How to freeze rice
• Easily freeze Applesauce
• How to Freeze Green beans

Slow Cooker Ham Stock Ingredients

• Ham bone plus any trimmings
• 2-3 Celery stalks or 1/2 a small celery root
• 2 Carrots
• Head of garlic – cut in half
• 1 teaspoon of Pepper corns
• 2 yellow Onions
• 1/4 bunch of Parsley
• 2 Bay leaf
• 10 cups water

How to Make Ham Stock in the Slow Cooker

Place your ham bone and trimmings in the bottom of your slow cooker.

Chop the celery and carrots into 2-3 inch pieces and add to slow cooker. 

Peel and cut the onions into quarters.

Add the garlic, peppercorns, onions, parsley, bay leaves, and water to the slow cooker.

Set on low for 6 hours.

Remove vegetables with a slotted spoon and discard. 

Remove ham bone and shred ham into small pieces and set aside. Use these pieces of ham for other recipes like Ham soup.

Strain stock through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the remaining pieces and spices.

Pour into airtight container and refrigerate.

Ham can be used to make soup or as you wish. 

Homemade Pantry Staples

• Homemade Pumpkin Spice Seasoning
• Homemade Taco Seasoning
• Fresh Pesto
• Homemade Pizza Sauce
• Homemade Spaghetti Sauce