Looking for a comforting dish that warms you from the inside out? This Split Pea Soup is the perfect solution! It’s packed with flavor, nutrition, and is incredibly easy to make. Whether it’s a chilly evening or you’re simply craving something hearty, this soup will not disappoint.
Imagine a bowl filled with tender split peas, aromatic vegetables, and smoky ham, all simmered to perfection. This recipe brings together the classic flavors that make Split Pea Soup a loved favorite, and it’s sure to become a staple in your kitchen.
Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe
This Split Pea Soup is a rich and hearty dish, featuring creamy split peas, sweet carrots, and savory ham. The soup is thick, satisfying, and bursting with flavor, making it a perfect dish for any meal of the day.
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried split peas, rinsed
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 smoked ham hock or 1 cup diced ham
- 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt, adjust to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prep the Ingredients: Rinse the split peas and chop the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic.
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté until the vegetables are tender, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the rinsed split peas, ham hock (or diced ham), broth, salt, pepper, and bay leaf to the pot. Bring to a boil.
- Simmer: Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 1-1.5 hours, or until the peas are soft and the soup has thickened. Stir occasionally.
- Blend (Optional): For a creamier texture, remove the ham hock, shred the meat, and return it to the pot. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth, or leave it chunky as preferred.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with chopped parsley if desired. Serve hot with crusty bread.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Servings: 4 bowls
- Calories: 210kcal
- Fat: 5g
- Protein: 14g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
