Description
Classic Split Pea Soup is a hearty and comforting dish made with tender split peas, diced ham, and fresh vegetables simmered in savory chicken broth. This nourishing soup is perfect for a cozy meal and garnished with fresh parsley for a burst of flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 carrots, diced
- 3 ribs of celery, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound dried split peas, rinsed
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 meaty ham bone
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 3 to 4 cups water
- 1 cup diced ham (from ham bone or added separately)
Garnish
- Finely chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Heat the oil and sauté the vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery, and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Then add the minced garlic and sauté for another minute until fragrant.
- Add split peas and seasonings: Stir in the rinsed split peas, dried thyme, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix everything together well.
- Add broth, water, bay leaf, and ham bone: Pour in the bay leaf, ham bone, chicken broth, and 3 cups of water. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the pot and let it cook for 50 to 60 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the soup thickens and the peas break down.
- Remove ham bone and add diced ham: Use tongs to transfer the ham bone to a cutting board. Dice the remaining meat (about 1 cup) from the bone and add it back to the soup. Stir and simmer uncovered for another 5 to 15 minutes, adjusting thickness by adding up to 1 more cup of water if needed.
- Finish and serve: Discard the bay leaf. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with finely chopped fresh parsley and additional black pepper if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
- You do not need to pre-soak the split peas for this recipe.
- If using regular instead of low-sodium chicken broth, reduce the added salt to prevent the soup from becoming too salty.
- The serving size is based on using 4 cups of water for desired consistency.
- The soup thickens as it sits, so adjust the thickness before serving accordingly.
- If you prefer a smoother soup, you can blend part of it before adding the ham back in.
- Ham bone can be substituted with smoked turkey or vegetables for a vegetarian version, although flavor will vary.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
