Hearty Split Pea Soup (Printable Version)
Rich, comforting soup with split peas, vegetables, and savory herbs. Ready in under 2 hours.
# 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 (optional)
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)
# Directions:
01 - In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, celery, and a pinch of salt. Sauté for 5–7 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add the diced potato, split peas, bay leaf, thyme, black pepper, smoked paprika, and ham hock (if using). Pour in the broth and stir to combine.
04 - Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered for 1–1.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until peas are tender and soup has thickened.
05 - Remove the ham hock (if used), shred any meat, and return it to the pot. Discard the bay leaf.
06 - Taste and adjust salt as needed. For a smoother texture, lightly mash some of the peas with a spoon or use an immersion blender for a partially pureed soup.
07 - Ladle into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve hot.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The smoked ham hock creates this incredible depth that makes people think you cooked all day, even though most of the work happens hands-free
- Split peas practically dissolve into creaminess without any actual cream, so you get all the comfort without the heaviness
02 -
- The soup will continue thickening as it sits, so what seems too thin initially is probably just right
- Smoked paprika cannot fully replace a smoked ham hock, but it helps bridge the gap if you're keeping it vegetarian
03 -
- Rinse your split peas in a mesh strainer until the water runs clear to remove any dust or debris
- Start with less salt than you think you need because the ham hock releases salt as it simmers