Hearty Split Pea and Ham Soup

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 2 hours
🍽 Serves: 6
★★★★★
1 Review

This hearty Split Pea and Ham Soup is a classic comfort dish that warms both the belly and the soul. Perfect for chilly days, it combines the earthy flavors of split peas with the smoky richness of ham to create a soup that's both satisfying and nutritious.

Hearty Split Pea and Ham Soup

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Ingredients for Hearty Split Pea and Ham Soup

Ingredients for Hearty Split Pea and Ham Soup

Split peas are the star here, providing a creamy texture and earthy flavor as they cook down. Their natural starchiness helps thicken the soup without any added cream.
Water serves as the base, helping to cook and meld all the ingredients together.
Smoked ham adds a savory, smoky depth to the soup, perfectly complementing the mild peas.
Onion gives a sweet, aromatic base that infuses the soup with flavor.
Carrots contribute a touch of sweetness and a pop of color.
Celery adds a refreshing, subtle crunch and aromatic depth.
Garlic enhances the overall flavor profile with its pungent warmth.
Bay leaf infuses the soup with a subtle, herbal aroma.
Salt and black pepper bring all the flavors together, balancing the sweetness of the vegetables with the savoriness of the ham.

Why This Hearty Split Pea and Ham Soup Works

As the split peas simmer in water for a long time, they slowly break down. At first they stay firm and separate, but over the hour on low heat they start to swell, crack, and then fall apart. All that starch from the peas leaks into the pot and turns the thin liquid into a thick, creamy soup without any cream or flour.

Once the ham and vegetables go in, they cook gently in that hot, starchy broth. The onion, carrot, and celery soften until they almost melt into the soup, so there are no hard chunks. The ham has time to warm through and stay tender instead of drying out, and its smoky taste spreads through the peas.

During the last stretch of simmering, the peas finish breaking down and the soup tightens up even more. Stirring now and then keeps the peas from sticking and helps them mash into the liquid. By the time the bay leaf comes out, the peas, vegetables, and ham all share one thick, hearty texture.

Hearty Split Pea and Ham Soup Tips & Tricks

  • If your soup is too thick, simply add a bit more water or broth to reach your desired consistency.
  • For a vegetarian version, skip the ham and use vegetable broth instead of water.
  • If you prefer a smoother soup, use an immersion blender to puree it to your liking right in the pot.

Mistakes To Avoid

Letting the peas simmer for less than the full time leaves them hard in the center. They don’t break down into the broth, so the soup stays thin and watery with tough little pellets instead of a thick, smooth base.

Starting with high heat and keeping it there can scorch the peas on the bottom of the pot. Once they catch, the burned layer sticks and the rest of the soup picks up that bitter, dark taste while still being undercooked on top.

Skipping the rinse on the dried peas often leaves extra dust and starch in the pot. As the soup cooks, this can make the surface foamy and the texture a bit pasty instead of creamy.

Adding a lot more ham than listed seems harmless, but it brings extra salt into the pot. As the soup reduces, the liquid concentrates and the whole batch can end up harshly salty and heavy instead of balanced and comforting.

Equipment Used:

Large pot, Cutting board, Knife, Stirring spoon

Ingredients

  1. 1 lb dried split peas
  2. 2 quarts water
  3. 2 cups diced smoked ham
  4. 1 large onion, chopped
  5. 2 carrots, sliced
  6. 2 celery stalks, chopped
  7. 2 cloves garlic, minced
  8. 1 bay leaf
  9. 1 tsp salt
  10. 1/2 tsp black pepper

Step-by-step Instructions

  1. 1. Rinse the split peas under cold water until the water runs clear.
  2. 2. In a large pot, combine the split peas and water; bring to a boil over high heat.
  3. 3. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
  4. 4. Add the diced ham, chopped onion, sliced carrots, chopped celery, minced garlic, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper to the pot.
  5. 5. Continue to simmer the soup for another 30 minutes, or until the peas are tender and the soup has thickened.
  6. 6. Remove the bay leaf before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I freeze this soup?
Yes, it freezes beautifully! Just let it cool completely before transferring to airtight containers. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?
Absolutely! Combine all the ingredients in the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.

Serving Ideas for Hearty Split Pea and Ham Soup

Serve this soup with a slice of crusty bread or a warm, buttery biscuit to soak up the goodness. A simple side salad with a tangy vinaigrette pairs nicely, cutting through the richness of the soup.

Ratings and Comments

★★★★★
Sounds simple enough. I love I can cook it in the slow cooker.
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This recipe is for informational purposes only. Always follow proper food safety practices, cook foods to safe internal temperatures, and store leftovers appropriately. Results may vary.