Any time of year is a great time for a cozy soup recipe.
A classic split pea soup with ham is one of our favorites and is easy to make. Green split peas are simmered with veggies and ham in broth until tender and thickened.
This hearty soup is the perfect way to use up that frozen leftover ham bone. This is one of those dishes that is just as good (if not better) the next day and it freezes beautifully.
A Healthy Favorite
The humble pea soup has been around since 500 BC and has been a budget staple for generations. There are many versions of this soup including a Canadian Split Pea soup (most often made with yellow peas).
- It has a creamy consistency and delicious flavor but it is made without cream so it has fewer calories than most creamy soups.
- Uses simple ingredients you likely have on hand.
- This split pea soup recipe is very budget-friendly.
- It is a healthy source of fiber and protein (and it will really fill you up).
Ingredients for Split Pea Soup
SPLIT PEAS Dried split peas are cheap and easy to find. While they resemble a lentil, they’re actually a type of dried pea. That being said, you can use dried lentils in this recipe (cooking time may need to be adjusted)!
I choose green split peas because they’re a bit sweeter but you can use yellow split peas if you’d like. The cooking time will remain the same.
VEGETABLES Celery, carrots, and a handful of seasonings will flavor the soup. Add a few cloves of garlic if desired. To stretch the soup even further, peel and dice two russet potatoes and add them along with the other vegetables.
MEAT Use up that leftover ham. No extra ham on hand? Use cooked and crumbled pieces of bacon for that smoky, salty punch of flavor.
BROTH In this recipe a ham bone flavors the broth just like in a ham bone soup. If you don’t have a ham bone you can use ham hocks (I cook ham hock for an hour before adding other ingredients).
If you have only diced or leftover ham (and no bone) swap out some of the water for extra broth as the bone is used for flavor.
Should I Soak Split Peas?
Split peas will almost always come from the store dried, so they need to be either simmered in liquid or soaked overnight before they can be enjoyed.
Soaking is not required for this recipe but if you have already soaked the peas, the cooking time will be reduced by about 40 minutes. To soak your split peas place them in a bowl of water (or a ziplock of water)! They take about 4 hours to be soaked through.
How to Make Split Pea Soup
The best Split pea soup is one that’s thick, creamy and flavorful. This version is easy to make and while it takes a while to cook, most of the time is hands off.
- Simmer peas, ham, water, broth, parsley, & bay leaf in a large pot for an hour.
- Add remaining ingredients (per recipe below) and simmer for an additional 45 minutes.
- Remove ham bone (or ham) & chop up the meat. Return ham to the pot & cook on low until thickened.
- Discard bay leaf & serve.
Serving Suggestions
The best sides for split pea soup are lots of hearty bread or crusty bread and a crisp, fresh salad!
Tip the soup with fresh herbs, a sprinkle of cheese, or a handful of garlic croutons.
Recipe Tips
- Like dried beans, dried peas should be carefully sorted. Place them in a colander and rinse them in cold water. Oftentimes, sand or small pebbles are mixed in with the peas.
- Thicken split pea soup by allowing it to simmer uncovered for a little bit. If you’re short on time, some of the peas can be mashed or blended with an immersion blender.
- Store cooked split pea soup in the refrigerator for about 4 days. Reheat on the stove top over medium heat or in the microwave.
- Leftovers can be frozen in zippered bags for up to 3 months.
- Split pea soup can be cooked in a slow cooker or a pressure cooker.
More Savory Soups
- Potato Broccoli Soup – comforting & cheesy
- Sausage Tortellini Soup – 30 minute meal
- Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup – a family favorite
- Lasagna Soup – a twist on a classic
- 15 Bean Soup – budget friendly
Did your family enjoy this Split Pea Soup? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
Split Pea Soup
Ingredients
- 2 cups dried split peas green or yellow (14 oz)
- 1 meaty ham bone or leftover ham
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 4 cups water or additonal low sodium broth if desired
- 2 teaspoons parsley
- 1 bay leaf
- 3 stalks celery diced
- 2 large carrots diced
- 1 large onion diced
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Sort through the peas to ensure there is no debris. Rinse and drain well.
- In a large pot, combine peas, ham, water, broth, parsley, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer covered for 1 hour.
- Add in celery, carrots, onion, pepper, thyme, and salt. Cover and simmer 45 minutes more.
- Remove ham bone and chop meat. Return meat to soup and cook uncovered until thickened and the peas have broken down, about 20 minutes more.
- Discard bay leaf and serve.
Notes
- This recipe does not require soaking the peas.
- If desired, add 2 cloves of minced garlic along with the vegetables.
- If you have only diced or leftover ham (and no bone) swap out some of the water for extra broth as the bone is used for flavor
- Thicken split pea soup by allowing it to simmer uncovered for a little bit. If you're short on time, some of the peas can be mashed or blended.
- Store cooked split pea soup in the refrigerator for about 4 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave.
- Split pea soup can be frozen in zippered bags for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Dinner, Entree, Ham, Lunch, Main Course, Soup
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
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Recipe updated for improved flavor and consistency March, 2022.
I’d love to try his but my husband does not eat pork. Is there another type of meat I ca use or vegetarian version?
I would suggest smoked turkey to add the nice smoky flavor.
Turned out great for a cold winter night. Went 50/50 water and chicken broth—next time might even use more broth. Didn’t have a ham hock but used a large ham steak from Sam’s. Cut up the ham steak before cooking so I didn’t have to cut it hot—worked out great!
So happy to hear that, Ronald! Thanks for sharing.
Can a slow cooker be used to make this soup?
Hi Mary, a slow cooker version can be found here!
hi holly
love your soup recipes start making soups in my diet like the way you explain
So glad you’re enjoying the soups Garima!
Hi Holly,
Love your recipes. I am making this soup as we speak. Smells delicious. Are the herb measurements for fresh or dried please? I will rate when it’s done.
Thanks much! Cynthia
The measurements are for dried herbs. Enjoy Cynthia!
So Tasty
I haven’t tried your recipe as I have been making
Pea soup for years like my mom. Just wanted to add, we like ours smooth with
Pieces of ham so at the end, I removed the bone and meat and use an immersion blender to cream the soup, then add the meat back in. Delicious this way too!
Thanks for sharing Dee!
I’m sorry, but this recipe for pea soup was disappointing. My soup came out watery and now I’ve got to use cornstarch to thicken. My suggestion would be to rethink the water usage.
Sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy this recipe Lydia. Readers love it as written but you can definitely thicken it with cornstarch or reduce your water to reach your desired consistency. You could also add in some potatoes and mash them slightly to thicken the soup as well. I hope that helps!
It’s not 8 cups of water, it says 6 cups of water, 2 cup broth. Read recipes carefully.
I always use more peas for a thicker soup. I prefer thicker soup as well. I also use some salt meat or salt pork ribs. Cook separately, drain water and add to soup before serving. No extra salt is needed. I taste the broth before serving so I can add more salt water or fresh water for taste. We have been using this way for many generations. Also great the next day or to freeze for future quick meals. Adding some good bread or dough balls is another option.
Does it make any difference in the outcome of you use green split peas versus yellow?
Either should work just fine!
I did not have ham, so I used chunks of sopressata salami. I mashed the peas with a potato masher a little at the end to help thicken the soup. I added a few crackers and some provolone cheese in my bowl. Yum!
So im not sure what split peas the author is using that she has to soak them or boil them several hours, cause run of the mill dried split peas will turn to mush after about an hour of simmering, no soak required. And a 5 to 1 liquid ratio is a bit much. 4 to 1 will get it nice and liquidy, and you still might want to drain some off depending on how thick you like it.
Split peas do not require soaking although it will cut down on the cook time. Split peas are intended to become creamy to create the traditional base of this soup (different than perhaps cooking lentil soup which we only cook about an hour as they’re a legume vs. a pea).
You can certainly cut back on the liquid if you’d like however we find this to be the perfect consistency for our liking.
It’s the perfect way to enjoy split peas on a cozy night. We always use up hambones and ham like this, too! :)
Loving the flavors going in that soup. It looks so hearty, filling and delicious! Recipe is so easy.
This tastes almost exactly like the split pea soup I remember my mom making for me when I was a child. I loved it then, and I love it now. Thank you for a delicious recipe! I will be making this all winter long.
Never tried this soup before but its looks so good I think I might.
This looks perfect for a busy weeknight family dinner! I actually just bought split peas the other day, so can’t wait to make this. Your ham and bean soup looks delicious too!
Gosh Split Pea soup takes me back to my Grandma’s kitchen and her slaving over a hot stovetop for hours. Yours looks so comforting and perfect for a cold January winter night! This with some homemade rolls … pure heaven!
I have never tried split pea soup. That may change with your soup, because it looks so amazing, hearty and flavorful!
What a great soup recipe! Thanks for sharing!
We frequently make ham for Sunday dinner so we always have leftover ham around and it is so great for soups. This recipe looks so comforting and sounds so tasty. Plus, I am loving the simplicity.