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The weather is just right for cozying around the table to enjoy this split pea soup recipe. My husband and kids get so excited when they smell this bubbling up in the kitchen. It’s guaranteed to delight and satisfy with its wholesome flavors in every bowlful.
Best Split Pea Soup Recipe
Keep those canned soups away. In no time at all, you can make homemade split pea soup with ham for your family. It’s a great way to warm up and get in loads of nutrients you’ll feel good serving to loved ones.
Easy Split Pea Soup Recipe
It only takes 20 minutes to prep this easy split pea soup recipe. Once it gets bubbling up on the stove, the hardest part is keeping your stomach from grumbling while you wait for it to finish!
Split Pea Soup Ingredients
- Butter – For sauteing your aromatics. Use unsalted or it may make the soup too salty!
- Aromatics – You need diced carrots and celery plus chopped yellow onion and minced garlic.
- Split peas – Get the dried ones. No need to soak but do rinse and dry them.
- Ham bone – A staple for making split pea soup with ham bone. Adds tons of flavor to your soup.
- Diced ham – Makes the perfect meaty contribution.
- Water and chicken stock – Creates your soup bae.
- Seasonings – You’ll need bay leaves, kosher salt, and black pepper.
- Fresh thyme – The secret to making your soup taste like it came from a gourmet restaurant!
- Garlic croutons – These make a great garnish!
How do you Make Split Pea and Ham Soup from Scratch?
To make this split pea soup with ham recipe, you’ll need a large soup pot in which you’ll melt the butter and add in onion, carrots, celery, and salt and pepper. Sauté until these get soft, then add the garlic for about 30 seconds, followed by the split peas. You’ll then add the bay leaves, ham bone, and part of the fresh thyme followed by the chicken stock and water. Bring it to a rolling boil, then reduce to a simmer and keep it that way for 60 minutes to 90 minutes. Stir occasionally during this time until the split peas are fork tender. You’ll want to add the ham in the last 20 minutes of cook time. Remove the ham bone and bay leaves and add in the remaining thyme.
Expert Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Split Pea Soup Every Time
- Yes, you can make it meatless. The ham bone and ham can be omitted. Also, you’ll want to use vegetable stock rather than chicken stock.
- Choose your consistency. Cook you pea soup with ham for at least an hour, then check the split peas. Some people like a thicker soup while others prefer a little more liquid. You will be able to see after 60 minutes whether or not it is to your liking.
- Don’t use salted butter. The green split pea soup will be salty enough from the ham and additional salt. Using salted butter will make it too salty. If it’s all you have, omit the addition of salt called for in the recipe.
Do split peas need to be soaked before cooking?
No, they do not which is why they’re such a great pantry staple. You will need to rinse them and dry them before using in the soup though.
What happens if you don’t rinse split peas?
You may accidentally include dirt or other particles with your soup if you don’t rinse them first. Yuck!
Is split pea soup healthy?
Yes it sure is, especially since you have vegetables and beans with plenty of protein in them.
How to Cook Split Pea Soup
Split pea soup cooks up like a dream on your stove top. You can use one soup pot so cleanup will be easy too!
How long does it take to cook split peas?
It will take about 30 to 40 minutes for the split peas to cook. You’ll have to check the consistency. When they’re fork tender, you can add the ham in and finish cooking for 20 more minutes.
How do I make my ham and pea soup thicker?
You should let the liquid cook away but if it’s still not thick enough, you can try smushing the peas to make it thicker. If that doesn’t work, a cornstarch slurry should do the trick!
What goes well with Split Pea Soup?
You can serve grilled cheese sandwiches, quiche, cornbread, a salad with lemon vinaigrette dressing, or even a charcuterie board. It’s such a versatile soup that can be enjoyed as a light meal or open up as a starter.
How to Store Split Pea Soup?
Once this soup cools down, you need to package it up in airtight containers and put it in the fridge.
How Long Does Split Pea Soup Last?
In your fridge, split pea soup will be good for about a week. After that, freezing is your best option.
Can You Freeze Split Pea Soup?
Yes, and it freezes very well too. You can keep it frozen for about 3 months.
How to Reheat Split Pea Soup?
Simply warm it up on your stovetop. If it’s too thick, you can adjust the consistency by adding a little broth at a time.
