Split Pea Soup With Ham

Split Pea Soup With Ham
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If you’ve been looking for a hearty homemade soup then this split pea soup with ham recipe is a must-try. It’s easy and quick to make and absolutely delicious and fulfilling, This split pea soup recipe is one of my go-to soup comfort foods that I love to make for my family.

Making split pea soup with ham and potatoes has become a family tradition in our home during the past few years, I typically make it with yellow split peas but green split peas work just as well. What makes this creamy soup stand out is its bold flavors that are comforting and soothing.

This split pea soup is made with a flavourful ham bone, tender vegetables, potatoes, and an orchestra of aromatic herbs, it’s the perfect comforting old-fashioned soup, especially for those cold winter days that will bring warmth around the family dinner and fulfill everyone’s appetite.

You will love making this comforting yellow split pea soup for yourself and your family and really feel good about it because is a simple and complete meal that contains a little bit of everything including protein and fiber. It’s wholesome and hearty, and even picky eaters will adore it, adding diced potatoes gives this split pea soup a creamy texture that kids love and adds an extra layer of deliciousness. It’s also great as a meal-prepping option for the week.

So what more can you ask for? Dutch oven tender split peas simmered with a flavorful ham bone, vegetables, potatoes, and herbs, it sounds good but let me tell you it tastes even better! I hope you love this recipe as much as we do in our home, so cook up a pot of this old-fashioned split pea soup and cozy up with the family and enjoy a new traditional beginning that will last generations to come.

Key Ingredients and Substitutions For Split Pea Soup Recipe

  • Butter: I used butter in this split pea soup recipe because I love the flavor it gives the soup. If don’t want to use butter you can substitute it with olive oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil. These other oils will add light and fruity flavor to the soup and are great choices for making vegetarian or vegan split pea soup.
  • Onion: If you are out of onions you can use leeks or shallots instead stead. You can use red or sweet yellow onions, they have a milder onion flavor but will still that touch of sweetness to the soup.
  • Carrots: I love carrots in my homemade soups, especially in this ham bone split pea soup, it adds natural sweetness and a nice earthy flavor. If you don’t any on hand you can substitute with parsnips.
  • Garlic: If you are out of fresh garlic you can swap it with garlic powder or minced shallot. These options still add depth and pungency to the soup.
  • Ham bone or Ham Hock: I used ham bone for this recipe but you can substitute it with Ham Hock, Ham Shank, Smoked ham, or even bacon. They add a rich and smoky flavor to the soup. You can also omit it from the recipe to make a vegan and vegetarian version of this soup.
  • Chicken Broth: I literally use chicken broth for most of my soups, if you’re looking for a vegan or vegetarian option, substitute the chicken broth with the vegetable broth it will still add a nice depth and richness to the soup.
  • Potatoes: I made this split pea soup with ham and potatoes, the potatoes give this soup its creamy texture, if you prefer a less thick soup you can omit them from the recipe. If you want to substitute the potatoes you can use sweet potato or cassava, they both will help to thicken the soup and add extra flavor.
  • Water: If you want a bolder soup flavor substitute the water with broth or stock, they will give your soup added flavor and richness.
  • Dried yellow split peas: I used yellow split peas because that is what I had on hand but green split peas will work exactly the same. If you don’t have split peas you can substitute them with green or brown lentils, they have a similar texture and flavor, and also add protein to the soup.
  • Bay leaves: I just love the aromatic flavor of bay leaves, it you can’t get a hold of any you can replace it with fresh or dried thyme. They add a similar flavor to the soup.
  • Rosemary: This was used to add extra flavor to the soup, you can omit it from the recipe or substitute it with another type of herb such as oregano basil.
  • Salt: For a healthier option, use a salt substitute such as low-sodium bouillon or sea salt. These options still add flavor and help boost the contrast to the soup.

Why You Will Love This Recipe For Split Pea Soup With Ham

Comforting and Hearty: The combination of split peas, ham, carrots, and thyme in this split pea soup creates a warm and comforting soup that is perfect when you’re looking for a hearty meal for the whole family.

Easy to Make: This recipe for split pea soup with ham bone is simple to follow, with straightforward instructions that make it easy to create a delicious soup with just a few simple steps.

Perfect for Leftovers: The soup is perfect for meal prepping, it can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to 5 days, it can also be frozen for up to 3 months, making it a super convenient meal for busy weekdays.

Flavorful and Aromatic: The use of dried rosemary, thyme, garlic, and ham hock in the recipe gives this soup a rich, savory flavor packed with a mouth-watering flavor.

Versatile and Customizable: This easy split pea soup recipe can be adapted to your preferred taste, such as using different types of herbs or vegetables, or using a different type of broth such as beef or vegetable broth, making it suitable for different diets.

Healthy and Nutritious: Split peas are a low-fat, high-protein legume that is rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making this soup a healthy and nutritious meal choice.

Cost-Effective: Split peas are an affordable ingredient that is readily available at most grocery stores, making this recipe a cost-effective way to feed a family or a large group of people.

One-Pot Meal: This homemade split pea soup recipe is a one-pot meal that requires minimal prep work and cleanup, it’s a great hassle-free option for busy weeknights.

Satisfying and Comforting: This warm and comforting split pea soup is truly filling and satisfying, making it one of the best choices for a light lunch or a hearty dinner. It has a rich savory flavor and smooth texture, it is sure to become a staple in your recipe collection.

Good To Know: Tips and Tricks

  • Rinse and sort the split peas before adding them to the soup, this will help eliminate any small stones or debris.
  • I recommend you use a good quality cut ham bone or ham hock with plenty of meat, this will add tons of flavor and richness to the soup.
  • Dice the potatoes into small, uniform pieces, this will ensure even cooking and help thicken the soup.
  • Cook the onions and carrots until they are soft, but not browned, this will help release their natural sweetness.
  • If you want to add some heat to this split pea soup, add some diced jalapeno pepper or red pepper flakes when cooking the onions and carrots.
  • For an even thicker soup, you can add a tablespoon of flour or cornstarch to the broth before adding it to the pot. Stir it constantly to prevent lumps from forming.
  • For a creamier texture, puree some of the cooked peas and vegetables before adding the ham back into the soup.
Hearty Split Pea Soup With Ham & Potatoes

Ingredients For Split Pea Soup With Ham

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 cups cubed potatoes
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 medium carrots, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 pound ham bone or ham hock
  • 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 pound dried yellow split peas, rinsed, picked through, and drained
  • 4 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 2 tablespoon parsley, for garnish (optional)
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil, for drizzling (optional)

How To Make Split Pea Soup With Ham?

  1. In a large Dutch oven or stock pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and carrots, and cook until the onion turns translucent and the carrots are slightly soft, it will about 5 minutes.
  2. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until nice and fragrant.
  3. Stir in the ham bone or ham hock, broth, water, split peas, potatoes, bay leaves, dried thyme, and dried rosemary, and bring the mixture to a boil.
  4. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let the soup simmer until the peas are tender and the flavors have melded, about 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
  5. Remove the ham bone or ham hock and shred any meat off it then add it back into the soup and give it a stir.
  6. Season with salt to taste and serve the soup hot, garnished with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley, if desired.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do split peas need to be soaked before cooking?

No, there is no need to soak split peas overnight. Although soaking them for a period of time can help to shorten their cooking time it is not necessary since split peas yellow or green cook relatively quickly without being soaked, usually about one hour.

How do you thicken split pea soup with ham?

You can thicken the split pea soup with ham by simmering the soup longer, this will allow the liquid to evaporate creating a thicker soup. This recipe contains potatoes that will give the soup a nice thicker texture, just make sure to simmer the soup long enough so you get your desired thickness.

Can you make split pea soup in a slow cooker?

Yes, this split pea soup recipe can be made using a slow cooker, simply follow the same steps but cook on low heat for 6 hours instead of using your stovetop.

How long does split pea soup last in the refrigerator?

Split pea soup can last for up to 5 days in the refrigerator, stored in a covered container.

Is it necessary to pick through the split peas before cooking?

Yes, I recommended you pick through the split peas before cooking them, sometimes they contain small stones or debris. which need to be removed.

I always love hearing feedback from you! If you’ve tried this delicious Split Pea Soup Recipe then give it a rating and leave me a comment on how it turned out.

Homemade Split Pea Soup With Ham

Split Pea Soup With Ham

Warm up the family with a bowl of our delicious and healthy Split Pea and Ham Soup with Potatoes. This classic soup split pea soup recipe is easy to prepare, it's made with tender split peas, veggies, herbs, and savory ham bone, and the addition of diced potatoes makes it even more hearty. The sautéed onions, celery, and garlic create a delicious base for the broth, while the fresh thyme and bay leaves add a touch of earthy flavor. This hearty and comforting soup is sure to be a family favorite. I guarantee this will be the best split pea soup recipe that you'll ever try!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Course Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine American
Servings 6 people
Calories 400 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 cups cubed potatoes
  • 1 large yellow onion chopped
  • 3 medium carrots chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 pound ham bone or ham hock
  • 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 pound dried yellow split peas rinsed, picked through, and drained
  • 4 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 2 tablespoon parsley for garnish (optional)
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil for drizzling (optional)

Instructions
 

  • In a large Dutch oven or stock pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and carrots, and cook until the onion turns translucent and the carrots are slightly soft, it will about 5 minutes.
  • Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until nice and fragrant.
  • Stir in the ham bone or ham hock, broth, water, split peas, potatoes, bay leaves, dried thyme, and dried rosemary, and bring the mixture to a boil.
  • Reduce heat to low, cover, and let the soup simmer until the peas are tender and the flavors have melded, about 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
  • Remove the ham bone or ham hock and shred any meat off it then add it back into the soup and give it a stir.
  • Season with salt to taste and serve the soup hot, garnished with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley, if desired.

Notes

  • Feel free to use any other type of ham instead of ham bone such as ham shank to add flavor to the soup. You can also use smoked ham hock or even diced ham steak.
  • Don’t skip the step of rinsing and picking through the split peas before cooking. This will ensure there are no small stones or debris in your soup.
  • If you prefer a smoother soup texture, you can puree a portion of it with an immersion blender or transfer it to a blender to puree.
  • If your soup is too thick, you can thin it out by adding a bit of water or chicken stock.
  • You can also adjust the seasonings to your liking by adding more salt or herbs. I didn’t add black pepper to this split pea recipe because I want it to be kid-friendly but feel free to add it cooking for adults for extra flavor and taste.
  • This split pea soup is delicious served with crusty bread or crackers. Topping it with crouton or freshly grated cheese is also a great option that adds a special finishing touch to the soup.
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