Split pea soup with ham is a hearty, delicious soup. It’s very economical to make, and tastes under 45 minutes on the stove top. It’s also perfect for the crockpot. The split pea is an amazing little legume. You don’t have to do much to it for it to taste really good. (This post was originally published on October 4, 2011. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn commission on qualifying purchases.)

Why we love split pea soup with ham recipe.

It’s easy, delicious and budget friendly! Every time I make split pea soup with ham, I feel as though I’ve “cheated”. The reward is always double the effort, and it’s dirt cheap. A package of split peas is about $1.50, which makes it incredibly budget friendly, feeding the four of us for at least two meals! It thickens up on it’s own, especially when you use a ham bone or ham hock. It’s also a great way to repurpose any leftover ham or the ham bone like this Bourbon and Brown Sugar Glazed Ham.

How to make split pea soup.

I don’t use a special recipe to make this soup. In fact, I’ve always just slightly adjusted the recipe on the back of the package of split peas, and then adding some chopped celery, fresh thyme, a little garlic, or some more carrots. A heavy bottomed pan with a tight fitting lid like this budget friendly Dutch oven is a good choice.

Can you make split pea soup in the crockpot?

I’ve made it on the stove-top and in the slow-cooker, and each time it comes out just delicious! The best part about it, is you just pop everything in the crockpot and forget about it.

Can you make split pea soup without a ham bone?

If you don’t have a ham bone, you can use smoked ham hocks, or skip the pork all together, or use a smoked turkey neck. You can also make make a completely vegetarian version by omitting the meat altogether.

Pro-tip:

When I’m prepping vegetables I like to keep two bowls near me. I can put all my waste into one and my finished veg in the second. This eliminates going back and forth to trash can and makes clean up a lot easier. If you compost your vegetable peelings, you can transfer them easily.

While I usually use a blender when I want to make my soups very smooth like this Leek and Potato Soup for more rustic soups like Tuscan White Bean Soup and Split Pea, I use an immersion blender which leaves it a little chunkier.

What to serve with split pea soup.

While this is hearty enough on its own, you can serve split pea soup with these Gluten Free Bread Sticks or Olive Oil Bread.

Split Pea Soup

Cynthia

Classic split pea soup. Use your left-over ham bone or purchase smoked ham hocks from your grocer. For a vegetarian version, omit the ham. To make in the slow-cooker, put all ingredients in the slow-cooker and set to low for 6-8 hours. Puree soup with immersion blender if desired.

5 from 9 votes

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 1

Total Time 1 10

Course Soup

Cuisine American

Servings servings

Calories 330 kcal

Ingredients

16 ounces green split peas
2 Tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
1 large onion diced
2 large carrots peeled and diced
1 clove garlic crushed
1 bay leaf
8 ounces ham hock smoked turkey neck or ham bone. (optional)
1 sprig fresh thyme
2 quarts water
Kosher salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

In a large pot, heat oil over a medium heat. Sauté onions and carrots in olive oil, then add split peas and water to cover vegetables by about 2 or 3 inches (about 2 quarts).
Add bay leaf, thyme sprig and ham hock, if desired.
Reduce heat, cover and simmer on low until peas are soft, about 45 minutes to an hour.
Remove the bay leaf and thyme sprigs and ham hock.
Use an immersion blender or regular blender and puree soup.
If using a ham bone, dice any ham and return back to soup.
Season to taste with salt and pepper
For slow-cooker, add all ingredients to slow-cooker and set to low for 6-8 hours. No need to sauté onions.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 330kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 22gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 102mgPotassium: 732mgFiber: 15gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 2639IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 53mgIron: 3mg

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