Traditional Pea Soup

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 2 hours
🍽 Serves: 6
★★★★★
Be the First to Review!

Traditional Pea Soup is a comforting classic that's perfect for chilly days. This hearty soup is not only nourishing but also delightfully simple to make. With just a handful of ingredients, you can create a warming dish that feels like a hug in a bowl.

Ingredients for Traditional Pea Soup

Split peas are the star of this soup, providing a creamy texture and protein punch. Make sure to rinse them well to remove any dust or debris. The ham bone or smoked ham hocks infuse the soup with a deep, savory flavor that can't be beat. Onion, carrots, and celery form the classic mirepoix trio, adding sweetness and depth. A touch of garlic enhances the aroma, while bay leaf and thyme add subtle herbal notes. Finally, a sprinkle of parsley brightens the dish, bringing everything together.

Tips & Tricks

  • If you like a smoother soup, use a hand blender to puree it to your desired consistency.
  • For a vegetarian version, skip the ham and use vegetable broth instead of water.
  • Add a splash of vinegar or a squeeze of lemon juice at the end for a little zing.

Serving Suggestions

This pea soup pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or a simple side salad. For an extra cozy meal, serve it alongside a grilled cheese sandwich. A dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of croutons on top can also add a delightful texture contrast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this soup in advance?
Absolutely! This soup tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.
How long can I store leftovers?
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
What can I use instead of a ham bone?
If you don't have a ham bone, smoked turkey legs or bacon can also add a nice smoky flavor.

Traditional Pea Soup Recipe Walkthrough

Start by rinsing and sorting 1 pound of dried split peas. This is important to remove any small stones or debris that could sneak in. Once clean, place the split peas in a large pot and add 6 cups of water and your ham bone or smoked ham hocks. Bring this mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.

Once boiling, reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let everything simmer for about an hour. This gives the peas time to soften and the flavors to start melding together. After an hour, toss in your chopped onion, diced carrots, sliced celery, minced garlic, bay leaf, salt, black pepper, and dried thyme. Stir everything together and let it continue to simmer for another 45-60 minutes.

Keep an eye on the soup and check for tenderness. Once the peas and veggies are nice and soft, remove the ham bone or hocks. If there's any meat clinging to the bone, shred it and return it to the pot. Discard the bay leaf, taste for seasoning, and add more salt or pepper if needed. Serve your soup hot, garnished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a pop of color and flavor.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Rich and smoky flavors from the ham bone.
  • Simple ingredients that are easy to find.
  • Perfect for meal prep — it tastes even better the next day!
  • Freezes beautifully for future meals.

Ingredients

1 lb dried split peas
6 cups water
1 ham bone or 2 smoked ham hocks
1 large onion, chopped
2 carrots, diced
2 ribs celery, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Rinse and sort the split peas, removing any debris.
2. In a large pot, combine the split peas, water, and ham bone. Bring to a boil.
3. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour.
4. Add onion, carrots, celery, garlic, bay leaf, salt, black pepper, and thyme.
5. Continue to simmer for another 45-60 minutes, or until peas and vegetables are tender.
6. Remove the ham bone, shred any meat, and return the meat to the pot.
7. Discard bay leaf and adjust seasoning if necessary.
8. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

Ratings and Comments

Thank you for your rating!