Split Pea Soup with Ham
A comforting and hearty split pea soup made with ham, packed with nutrients and flavors, perfect for cold days or any time you need a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 1 pound dried green split peas, rinsed and sorted (about 2 ¼ cups)
- 1 ham bone or 1 ½ cups diced cooked ham
- 7-8 cups chicken broth or water (adjust for desired thickness)
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional Garnish
- chopped parsley
- croutons
Instructions
Preparation
- Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat.
- Add the diced onion, minced garlic, chopped carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally until softened.
- Stir in the rinsed split peas, ham bone or diced ham, thyme, and bay leaf.
- Pour in 7 cups of chicken broth or water, adjusting to achieve the desired thickness.
- Bring to a gentle boil.
Cooking
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, position the lid slightly ajar to allow steam to escape, and let the soup simmer for 60 to 75 minutes.
- Stir occasionally to prevent the peas from sticking.
- Check the consistency at the end of cooking time. If too thick, add a splash of broth or water.
Serving
- If using a ham bone, remove it and shred any remaining meat back into the soup.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Ladle into bowls and garnish with chopped parsley or croutons.
Notes
For a vegetarian option, omit the ham and use vegetable broth, adding smoked paprika for flavor. Consider adding diced potatoes or frozen peas for extra texture.