Hearty Split Pea Soup (Printable)
Comforting split pea and vegetable blend with herbs, ideal for chilly autumn evenings.
# 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 Prepare:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, celery, and a pinch of salt. Cook for 5–7 minutes until vegetables are softened and fragrant.
02 - Stir minced garlic into the pot and cook for 1 minute until aromatic, being careful not to burn it.
03 - Add diced potato, rinsed split peas, bay leaf, dried thyme, black pepper, smoked paprika, and ham hock (if using). Pour in the broth and stir everything together thoroughly.
04 - Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered for 1 to 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until split peas are completely tender and soup has reached desired consistency.
05 - Remove ham hock from pot, shred any meat from bone, and return shredded meat to soup. Discard bay leaf.
06 - Taste soup and add more salt if needed. For a smoother consistency, lightly mash some peas against side of pot or use immersion blender for partial pureeing.
07 - Ladle hot soup into bowls, garnish with chopped fresh parsley, and serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The split peas break down into this incredible creamy texture without any actual cream involved
- It tastes even better the next day, so you are basically meal prepping without trying
- The smoked paprika adds this subtle warmth that makes people ask what your secret ingredient is
02 -
- The soup continues thickening as it cools, so do not panic if it looks thinner than you expected while simmering
- Ham hocks can be salty, so always taste before adding more salt at the end
- If you forget to rinse the split peas, your soup might end up with a gritty texture that nobody wants
03 -
- Sauté your vegetables in butter instead of olive oil for extra richness
- Add a splash of white wine with the broth for depth