Description
This hearty Split Pea Soup is a comforting, nutritious dish perfect for a cozy meal. Made with tender split peas, fresh vegetables, flavorful herbs, and diced ham, it simmers to creamy perfection while delivering a rich, savory taste.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large sweet onion, diced
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups dried yellow split peas, rinsed and picked over
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 ½ cups chopped cooked ham
- Salt, to taste
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and fragrant. Then add minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Add Peas and Broth: Stir in the rinsed split peas along with chicken broth, bay leaf, fresh thyme, and black pepper. Mix everything thoroughly to combine all flavors.
- Simmer Soup: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to low. Partially cover the pot with a lid and gently simmer the soup for 75 minutes. Stir occasionally and add more broth or water if the soup becomes too thick during cooking.
- Add Ham: Stir in the chopped cooked ham and continue to cook for an additional 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the split peas are very soft and breaking down, resulting in a thick, creamy texture.
- Season to Taste: Remove and discard the bay leaf. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning by adding salt and additional black pepper if needed to enhance the flavors.
- Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately for a comforting meal.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit the ham and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- If you prefer a creamier texture, blend a portion of the soup with an immersion blender before adding the ham.
- Split peas don’t require soaking, but rinsing and picking over them to remove debris is important.
- This soup freezes well; store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
- Add extra broth or water during simmering if the soup thickens too much, as split peas tend to absorb liquid.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
