Hearty Split Pea Soup (Printable Version)
Comforting split pea soup with vegetables, herbs, and optional ham. Ready in under 2 hours for cozy evenings.
# What You'll Need:
→ Legumes
01 - 2 cups dried split peas, rinsed and picked over
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 large onion, diced
03 - 2 medium carrots, diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, diced
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 medium Yukon gold potato, peeled and diced
→ Meats
07 - 1 smoked ham hock or 8 oz diced smoked ham (omit for vegetarian/vegan version)
→ Liquids
08 - 8 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
09 - 1 bay leaf
→ Spices & Seasonings
10 - 1 tsp dried thyme
11 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
12 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
13 - 1 tsp salt (to taste, add more as needed)
→ Optional Finishes
14 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
15 - 1 tbsp olive oil (for sautéing)
# How to Make It:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, celery, and a pinch of salt. Sauté for 5–7 minutes until softened and fragrant.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
03 - Add diced potato, rinsed split peas, bay leaf, thyme, black pepper, smoked paprika, and ham hock if using. Pour in broth and stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
04 - Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered for 1–1.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until peas are completely tender and soup has thickened considerably.
05 - Remove ham hock if used, shred meat from bone, and return shredded meat to pot. Discard bay leaf.
06 - Taste and adjust salt as needed. For smoother consistency, lightly mash some peas against pot side or use immersion blender for partial puree.
07 - Ladle hot soup into bowls, garnish with fresh chopped parsley, and serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The way your house smells while it simmers is basically free aromatherapy
- Its budget friendly comfort food that somehow tastes expensive
02 -
- This soup thickens dramatically as it cools, so plan to add more broth or water when reheating leftovers
- A splash of lemon juice right before serving cuts through the richness and brightens the whole bowl
03 -
- Rinse your split peas in a mesh sieve and pick through them for small stones or debris
- Keep the heat at a gentle simmer rather than a rolling boil for the creamiest result