Description
This easy split pea soup is a hearty, comforting dish perfect for chilly days. Made with dried split peas, fresh vegetables, ham, and aromatic herbs, this recipe simmers slowly to develop rich flavors and a creamy texture without blending. It’s a satisfying meal that’s simple to prepare and serves six generous portions.
Ingredients
Scale
Peas
- 1 pound dried split peas
Sauté Base
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 celery stalk, diced
- 1 cup diced carrots (2–3 carrots)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic (2–4 garlic cloves)
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
Proteins & Liquids
- 8 ounces ham, diced (or use a meaty ham bone for richer flavor)
- 6 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian option)
Instructions
- Prepare the peas: Pour the split peas into a shallow bowl or plate and carefully pick through them to remove any stones or debris. Rinse the peas thoroughly under cold running water using a strainer.
- Sauté the vegetables and ham: Heat olive oil and butter in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion, celery, and carrots and cook for 5-7 minutes until they begin to soften. Stir in minced garlic, dried thyme, dried oregano, and diced ham. Cook while stirring for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Add liquids and peas: Pour in the chicken broth, add the cleaned split peas, and drop in the bay leaf. Stir everything together well and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer the soup: Reduce heat to low to maintain a gentle simmer, cover the pot, and cook for 1½ hours until the peas are tender and the soup has thickened to your desired consistency. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Finish and serve: Remove and discard the bay leaf. Taste the soup and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed. Serve hot and enjoy a comforting bowl of homemade split pea soup.
Notes
- If you prefer a thicker soup, you can mash some of the peas against the side of the pot with a spoon during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
- For a richer flavor, use a meaty ham bone instead of diced ham. Simmer it with the soup and remove before serving.
- Vegetarian option: Substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth and omit the ham.
- The cooking time may vary slightly depending on the freshness and size of the peas, so check for tenderness before finishing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: split pea soup, easy soup recipe, ham and pea soup, vegetarian split pea soup, comforting soup, stovetop soup
