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Hearty Classic Split Pea Soup with Ham Bone

A close-up shot of thick, green pea soup with visible chunks of carrot served in a white mug.
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Make this thick, rich Split Pea Soup with Ham Bone for the ultimate comfort food dinner tonight. This hearty pea soup recipe is wholesome, old-fashioned, and naturally creamy without added cream. It is perfect for cozy weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound dried green split peas, rinsed
  • 1 smoked ham bone (or 1 cup diced smoked ham)
  • 6 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste after cooking)

Instructions

  1. Rinse the split peas under cold water until the water runs clear. Discard any small stones or debris.
  2. Place the rinsed split peas, ham bone (or diced ham), water or broth, onion, carrots, celery, thyme, bay leaf, and pepper into a large pot or Dutch oven.
  3. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
  4. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot partially, and let it simmer.
  5. Cook for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the peas are very tender and the soup has thickened. If using a ham bone, remove it halfway through cooking, shred any meat from the bone, discard the bone, and return the meat to the pot.
  6. Stir in the minced garlic during the last 15 minutes of cooking.
  7. Remove the bay leaf before serving. Taste the soup and add salt as needed, keeping in mind that the ham bone adds saltiness.
  8. Serve hot. This soup is fantastic for meal prep and freezes well.

Notes

  • For a quicker cooking time, use an Instant Pot. Cook on High Pressure for 20 minutes, followed by a Natural Pressure Release for 15 minutes.
  • If you prefer a smoother texture, use an immersion blender to partially blend a portion of the soup before serving.
  • To make this a Vegetarian Split Pea Soup, omit the ham bone and use vegetable broth. Add 1 teaspoon of liquid smoke or smoked paprika for a smoky flavor.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kitchenuser.net/classic-split-pea-soup-recipe-pea-soup/