Split Pea Soup Recipe combines onions, celery, carrots, potatoes, and ham into a smooth, creamy split pea base that is lightly seasoned. This delicious soup is best simmered with a ham bone, but ham hocks or shanks will work as well. Serve with a crusty baguette or corn muffins for an amazing homecooked farm-style meal.
Is there a better way to embrace fall than with a big pot of soup? Heck no! Soup makes everyone feel warm and cozy inside and out. We eat soup year-round, but for you cool-weather soup eaters, the cooler nights are starting to come in. This easy delectable stove top Split Pea Soup Recipe is a cinch to make. However, it does require a couple of hours of simmering time, so the split peas and ham hocks can get tender and taste just right
How do you make Split Pea Soup Recipe?
Heat the oil In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and celery and saute until softened. Reduce the heat to low and add the garlic, marjoram, thyme, and fresh ground black pepper. Cook for 1 minute while stirring constantly.
Next, stir in about 6 cups of chicken broth, split peas, ham bone, and bay leaves. Bring the mixture to a boil and reduce to a simmer for 60-80 minutes. Add the carrots and potatoes and simmer until the split peas, ham, carrots, and potatoes are tender. Remove the ham bone and, working with a fork, pull the meat from the bones. Discard any fat and bones and return the pulled ham to the pot. Remove the bay leaves. Garnish with chopped fresh thyme or parsley.
Do you have to soak split peas?
It is true that soaking split peas shortens the cooking time; however, split peas cook relatively fast. In contrast, simmering split peas that have not been soaked takes about 1 1/2-2 hours to cook. Soaked split peas are cooked for about 45 minutes. Split peas that have not been soaked are perfect for soup as they give the split peas time to mingle with the other flavors.
What cuts of ham are best for Split Pea Soup Recipe?
Smoked ham bones are by far the best cut. They simmer in the broth with the split peas before adding the carrots and the potatoes. They give the soup a huge kick of smokey ham flavor. However, you can also attain a good smokey ham flavor with ham hocks or ham shanks. Or use your leftover Easter or Christmas ham bone for the best split pea soup ever,
Helpful recipe tips
- Dried split peas are usually in the same aisle as the other dried beans. Rinse the split peas in a colander under cold water to remove any dirt. Discard any rocks or discolored peas.
- Though it is not necessary to soak the split peas doing so can expedite the cooking time. First, rinse and sort through the peas discarding any rocks or discolored peas. Then place the peas in a large bowl and cover them by at least 2 inches of cold water. Let them soak for 4 hours up to overnight. Cooking time will be slightly reduced with the longer soaking time. Before cooking, rinse the peas again in a colander.
- Oregano can be substituted for the marjoram.
- Use a smoked leftover ham bone, ham shanks, or ham hock.
- The soup will thicken as the split peas break down. Add more chicken broth or water.
- Remove the bay leaves before serving. They have sharp edges.
- Garnish with chopped fresh thyme or parsley.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave at reduced power.
- To freeze first, completely cool. Then ladle into marked freezer zipper bags and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
This delicious soup is easy, delicious, and dependable. Put the ingredients for this cozy meal on your list today and leave me a comment and let me know what you think.
More soup recipes to try!
Split Pea Soup
Ingredients
- 1 ½ tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped
- 3 ribs celery chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon marjoram
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 6-8 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 lb dried green split peas rinsed and sorted
- 1 ½ lb ham bone
- 2 bay leaves
- 3 large carrots chopped
- 1 large Yukon gold or red potato peeled and diced
- Kosher salt
- Fresh ground black pepper
Instructions
- Heat the oil In a large pot or dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and celery and cook until softened.
- Reduce the heat to low and add the garlic, marjoram, thyme, and fresh ground black pepper. Cook for 1 minute while stirring constantly.
- Add 6 cups chicken broth, split peas, ham bone, and bay leaves. Bring the mixture to a boil and reduce to a simmer for 60-80 minutes. If needed, add more chicken broth.
- Add the carrots and potatoes and simmer until the split peas, ham, carrots, and potatoes are tender.
- Remove the ham bone and, working with a fork, pull the meat from the bones. Discard any fat and bones and return the pulled ham to the pot.
- Remove the bay leaves. Add more chicken broth or water if needed. Season with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper. Garnish with chopped fresh thyme or parsley.
Video
Notes
- Dried split peas are usually in the same aisle as the other dried beans. Rinse the split peas in a colander under cold water to remove any dirt. Discard any rocks or discolored peas.
- Though it is not necessary to soak the split peas, doing so can expedite the cooking time. First, rinse and sort through the peas, discarding any rocks or discolored peas. Then, place the peas in a large bowl and cover them with at least 2 inches of cold water. Let them soak for 4 hours up to overnight. Cooking time will be slightly reduced with the longer soaking time. Before cooking, rinse the peas again in a colander.
- Oregano can be substituted for the marjoram.
- Use a smoked leftover ham bone, ham shanks, or ham hock.
- The soup will thicken as the split peas break down. Add more chicken broth or water.
- Remove the bay leaves before serving. They have sharp edges.
- Garnish with chopped fresh thyme or parsley.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave at reduced power.
- To freeze first, completely cool. Then ladle into marked freezer zipper bags and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
Nutrition
On the hunt for more delicious recipes? Follow Small Town Woman on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.
https://www.smalltownwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Beth-1.pdf
Yaya
Your site always reminds me of recipes and food that I haven’t tried in ages! This recipe is another one to try.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Yaya! Enjoy!
Jasmine Martin
I have always wanted to try split pea soup. It looks pretty tasty and great for the colder months too.
Chad
This looks so so good!!! I love soups and actually have soup for supper daily! I can’t wait to try your recipe!
Catalina
I made this soup for lunch and we loved it! It’s hearty and so delicious!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Catalina! So glad that you enjoyed it!
Erin
Looks beyond delicious! I would love to make this!
Tisha
Always a great recipe and perfect for this weather
Whitney Stewart
It goes without saying that I love soup, especially on cold, rainy days. I’m not a big pea soup fan, but I’m willing to try this one out just because I looks good. Thank you so much for sharing!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Whitney! Enjoy!
katerina
YUM! This is such a delicious soup! The flavors are incredible!! We will make this again and again.
Sandra
This is so creamy and comforting! One of my favorite soup recipes!
Evon Elliott
Smoked Ham Shanks are the best! Have the butcher cut them in half!
Monidipa
The recipe of the split pea soup is great but since a week I’m having bit problems with onion digestion. Is there an alternative to it?
Beth Pierce
Just omit the onions or try 1 teaspoon of onion powder.
Elena Camara
does this soup freeze well
Beth Pierce
Yes it does!
Jessica Marcillo
Do plain ham hocks do ok too? I didnt read the recipe as well as I should have before i went shopping.
Beth Pierce
Sure ham hocks will work fine.
Nancy
This is delicious! I added bay leaves. Not listed in the ingredients but it’s mentioned in the prep. I had no marjoram and used leftover picnic ham. Huge hit with my family and friends! Thank you!
Beth Pierce
you are most welcome! So glad that everyone liked it. Thanks for the heads up on the bay leaf. I am going to correct right now!
Chris
How long does it take for the vegetables to soften?
Beth Pierce
About 20 minutes depending on how large or how small you cut them.
Carol L
How much split peas? It is not included in the ingredients or instructions. The recipe looks delicious.
Thank you.
Beth Pierce
Thanks so very much. Sorry about that. Yes I guess split pea soup would not be very good without split peas. LOL. I have corrected the recipe and it has 2 cups. Thanks for bringing this to my attention.
C LeBrun
How much split peas? It is not listed in the ingredients. Thank you.
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much for bringing this to my attention. I am correcting right now