Hearty Split Pea Soup (Printable)
Rich, comforting soup with split peas, vegetables, and herbs. Ready in under 2 hours for a satisfying meal.
# 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
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)
# How to Make It:
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 Hacks:
01 -
- The smoked paprika and ham hock create depth that usually takes all day to achieve
- It costs almost nothing to make but tastes like restaurant quality comfort food
- Leftovers actually improve overnight, making it perfect for meal prep Sundays
02 -
- Dried split peas do not require soaking, but rinse them thoroughly and pick out any small stones or debris
- The soup will continue to thicken as it cools, so do not worry if it seems slightly thin while hot
- Ham hocks can be very salty, so taste the soup before adding additional salt at the end
03 -
- Fry a few extra pieces of diced ham until crispy and use them as a garnish for texture contrast
- If the soup seems too thin, remove the lid for the last 30 minutes to let excess liquid evaporate