Split Pea Soup Recipe
Split pea soup is one of the most timeless and comforting dishes in the world of home cooking. Known for its earthy flavor, creamy texture, and ability to transform simple pantry staples into a satisfying bowl of comfort food, a split pea soup recipe has been passed down through generations. Whether you’re looking to recreate the classic split pea soup with ham, experiment with vegetarian variations, or simply learn how to make split pea soup in a modern Instant Pot, this guide will give you everything you need. From understanding how split peas cook to the role of a meaty ham bone in developing the best flavor, this article provides a complete and SEO-optimized resource on soup recipes that focus on split pea soup.
Split Peas
Split peas are dried peas that have been peeled and split in half for faster cooking. They come in two main varieties: yellow and green split peas. Green split peas are more commonly used in a split pea soup recipe because they have a slightly sweeter flavor and a vibrant color that adds visual appeal to the dish.
Split peas need to be rinsed before cooking to remove any dust or debris. Unlike some legumes, split peas need less soaking time. In fact, peas need to be soaked only if you want to reduce the cooking time slightly, but many home cooks simply rinse and drain them before adding them to a soup pot or Instant Pot.
When cooked, split peas are tender and break down easily, thickening the soup naturally without the need for cream or flour. This makes them a cornerstone of homemade split pea soup and other soup recipes that rely on wholesome, plant-based ingredients.
Split Pea Soup
Split pea soup has been cherished for centuries across different cultures. In many households, it is associated with holiday ham or a leftover meaty ham bone from a Sunday dinner. The soup is made by simmering dried split peas with aromatics like onion, carrot, and celery, as well as seasonings such as bay leaves and thyme.
The flavor of the peas deepens as the soup simmers, creating a creamy base that is hearty and nourishing. A classic split pea soup often includes ham or diced ham for extra richness, though a vegetarian version can be just as flavorful when made with vegetable broth.
This soup is true comfort food: warming, filling, and nutritious. It is also one of those soup recipes that tastes even better the next day after being stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Ham
Ham plays a central role in many split pea soup recipes. A ham bone adds depth and meaty flavor to the broth as it simmers. If you don’t have a ham bone, diced ham, ham hock, or even a ham steak can be used as substitutes.
Ham brings a smoky and savory taste that balances the natural sweetness of carrots and the earthy flavor of green split peas. For holiday meals, many people save the leftover ham bone from a Sunday or holiday ham and use it to make split pea soup with ham the following week.
When making split pea soup, remove the ham bone after simmering and dice the leftover meat before adding it back to the soup. This step ensures tender bites of ham are distributed evenly throughout the dish.
Ham Bone
Using a ham bone in a split pea soup recipe is one of the most traditional ways to build flavor. A meaty ham bone slowly releases savory richness into the broth, which infuses every spoonful with comforting flavor.
When using a ham bone, it’s important to remove the bay leaf and remove the ham bone before serving. At that stage, the meat can be diced and added back for texture. A leftover meaty ham bone can also be frozen for months in the freezer if you aren’t ready to make the soup immediately.
A ham bone from a Sunday dinner is a popular choice, and it ensures that no part of the meal goes to waste. Home cooking traditions like this highlight how soup made from simple, leftover ingredients can turn into the best pea soup.
Soup Recipes
Soup recipes are a staple of home cooking, offering endless variations and flavors. Among them, split pea soup stands out as a classic. Whether made in a Dutch oven, a soup pot, or an Instant Pot, the process of slowly simmering broth with vegetables and legumes creates nourishing meals.
From chicken broth and water to vegetable broth, different bases can be used depending on dietary preferences. Other popular soup recipes in the same family include lentil soup, black bean soup, and minestrone. Yet, the split pea soup recipe is made with such simple ingredients that it continues to be one of the most beloved options for comfort food.
Make Split Pea Soup
To make split pea soup, you start with oil in a large pot or Dutch oven. Over medium heat, garlic and saute with diced onion, carrot, and celery until softened. This step, known as sauté, builds the aromatic base of the soup.
Next, add dried split peas, a meaty ham bone or diced ham, and seasonings like bay leaves and thyme. Pour in chicken broth, vegetable broth, or a combination of chicken broth and water. Bring to a boil, then heat to low and simmer.
The cooking time usually ranges between 60 to 90 minutes on the stovetop, depending on how long it takes for the split peas to be tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and to help the peas break down, which thickens the soup naturally.
Split Pea Soup Recipe
A split pea soup recipe is made with only a handful of ingredients but delivers incredible flavor. Here’s the essence of a classic split pea soup recipe:
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1 pound dried green split peas (rinsed and drained)
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1 meaty ham bone or diced ham
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1 large onion, diced
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2 carrots, diced
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2 celery stalks, diced
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1–2 bay leaves and thyme (fresh or dried)
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8 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
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Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking instructions: sauté vegetables, add split peas and ham bone, pour in broth, bring to a boil, then simmer until the split peas are tender. Remove the ham bone, dice the meat, discard the bay leaves, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
This pea soup recipe is made with basic kitchen staples, yet it is one of the best soup recipes for comfort food.
Instant Pot
The Instant Pot has revolutionized home cooking, and it’s a great tool to make split pea soup quickly. Instead of simmering for hours, the pressure cooker shortens the cooking time significantly.
Steps to make split pea soup in the Instant Pot:
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Sauté onion, garlic, carrot, and celery in a little oil in the Instant Pot.
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Add rinsed split peas, ham bone or diced ham, broth, and seasonings.
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Set to high pressure for about 15 minutes.
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Allow the pressure to release naturally for the best flavor, or do a quick release if short on time.
When the lid opens, you’ll find that the split peas are tender and the soup has thickened beautifully. Back to the soup, stir in diced ham, remove the bay leaf, and season with salt and pepper.
Homemade Split Pea Soup
Homemade split pea soup embodies true comfort food. Unlike store-bought versions, homemade soup allows you to adjust the flavors and consistency to your liking. You can make it thicker by simmering longer or thinner by adding extra broth.
Homemade split pea soup is also healthier because you control the ingredients, avoiding preservatives and excess sodium. Plus, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and reheated, making it one of those soup recipes that tastes better with time.
Classic Split Pea Soup
Classic split pea soup is made with a meaty ham bone, green split peas, onion, carrot, celery, and traditional herbs like bay leaves and thyme. The cooking method of slowly simmering until the split peas are tender results in the best pea soup with rich, hearty flavor.
This version has been prepared in countless kitchens and is often associated with holiday ham or leftover meaty ham bone. When seasoned with salt and pepper to taste and garnished with parsley or bacon bits, classic split pea soup transforms into a dish that is both rustic and gourmet.
Using a Ham Bone
Using a ham bone ensures that the soup made is packed with meaty depth. As it simmers in broth, the ham bone releases collagen and flavor, which thickens the soup naturally. A leftover ham bone from a holiday ham or Sunday dinner is ideal.
When cooking, remember to remove the ham bone before serving, discard the bay leaves, and dice any ham still clinging to the bone. Add it back into the soup for texture and the best flavor.
Split Pea Soup with Ham
Split pea soup with ham is one of the most traditional variations. A ham hock or diced ham adds smoky undertones, while the split peas thicken into a creamy base.
Some cooks like to add smoked paprika for extra depth, while others garnish with bacon bits or parsley for freshness. Whether made on the stovetop, in a Dutch oven, or in an Instant Pot, split pea soup with ham is a classic comfort food recipe that’s both filling and nutritious.
Home Cooking
Home cooking brings warmth and tradition to meals like split pea soup. It’s easy to make, requires simple ingredients, and allows flexibility in flavors. A split pea soup recipe is made in the spirit of resourcefulness, often using leftover ham bone and vegetables on hand.
Cooking on medium heat, letting the soup simmer, and tasting as you go are hallmarks of good home cooking. The result is a dish that can be shared with family, stored in an airtight container for later, and cherished as a piece of culinary tradition.
Split Peas Need
Split peas need only minimal preparation. Unlike beans, they cook relatively quickly and don’t require overnight soaking. Still, peas need to be soaked if you want to speed up the cooking time. Most recipes simply rinse and drain them before use.
When split in half, they break down faster during cooking, helping the soup thicken naturally. Split peas need to be cooked until tender, which typically takes about an hour on the stovetop or just 15 minutes in the Instant Pot.
Peas Need to Be Soaked
Although many soup recipes note that peas need to be soaked, it’s actually optional. Soaked before cooking, split peas may cook slightly faster, but unsoaked dried split peas will soften just as well given enough time.
Rinse and drain split peas to remove dust, then decide whether to soak depending on your cooking method. For pressure cooking in an Instant Pot, soaking isn’t necessary at all.
Soaked Before Cooking
Split peas can be soaked before cooking if you want to cut the cooking time in half. Typically, soaking for a few hours is enough. However, because split peas are split in half, they are much easier to cook than whole beans or chickpeas.
Whether soaked before cooking or not, the result is delicious split pea soup that brings comfort and nourishment.
Additional Tips for the Best Pea Soup
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Always bring to a boil before lowering the heat to low and simmer.
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For best flavor, cook on low for a longer time to allow the flavors to meld.
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Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for several days or frozen for months in the freezer.
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Reheat gently, adding a little broth or water if the soup has thickened too much.
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Season with salt and pepper to taste only at the end, since ham bones or broth may already add saltiness.
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Conclusion
A split pea soup recipe is made from the humblest ingredients but delivers hearty comfort food that warms the soul. Whether you’re making homemade split pea soup in a Dutch oven, preparing classic split pea soup with a leftover meaty ham bone, or using the Instant Pot for quick and easy results, the flavor of the peas shines through.
This delicious split pea soup is one of the best soup recipes for home cooking, proving that it’s easy to make a dish that is rich, nutritious, and satisfying. Stored in an airtight container, leftovers can be enjoyed later, reminding us that true comfort food is timeless.