forkue
Split Pea Soup

British · Dinner · Easy

Split Pea Soup

Total
1 hr 45 min
Prep
20 min
Serves
6
Calories
370
Jump to recipe

Dried split peas simmer with ham and vegetables, then fresh green peas brighten the smooth soup beneath a pile of shredded ham.

Adding frozen peas at the end gives split pea soup a fresher green flavor while dried peas provide its thick body. The ham seasons the broth throughout the simmer, then goes back in after blending so its fibers stay distinct.

Use fully cooked smoked ham in a piece rather than thin sandwich slices. Taste before salting: the amount needed depends much more on the ham than on the peas.

HeartySmokyOne PotFreezer FriendlyBudgetGluten-freeDairy-freeNut-freeEgg-freeHigh-protein

Method

  1. Put smoked ham, green split peas, onions, carrots, bay leaves, celery stalks and water in a large pot. Bring to a boil, skim any foam and reduce to a gentle simmer.

  2. Cover loosely and simmer for , stirring occasionally, until split peas collapse and vegetables are soft. Add water if the soup becomes too thick before peas soften.

  3. Lift out ham and remove bay leaves. Add frozen peas and simmer for until tender and bright green. Blend the soup until smooth with an immersion blender.

  4. Shred or finely chop the ham. Return most to the soup with black pepper and salt to taste; simmer for until hot throughout. Serve topped with reserved ham.

Forkue tips

  • If the ham is too firm to shred, cut it into small cubes; it still gives a good contrast to the smooth soup.

Storing and reheating

Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for 3 months. Reheat over low heat with water, stirring along the bottom as the thick soup loosens.

Kitchen gear

Large potTop picks on AmazonImmersion blenderTop picks on Amazon
Forkue may earn a commission from links on this page, at no extra cost to you.

Nutrition per serving, estimated

370Calories
33gProtein
41gCarbs
8gFat

Split Pea Soup: FAQ

Do I need to soak the peas?

No. Split peas cook directly in the broth; older peas can need additional simmering to become completely soft.

Can I leave the soup chunky?

Yes. Mash a few spoonfuls against the pot and stir them back in instead of blending the whole batch.

How do I store and reheat Split Pea Soup?

Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for 3 months. Reheat over low heat with water, stirring along the bottom as the thick soup loosens.

How long does Split Pea Soup take?

About 1 hr 45 min in total: 20 min prep and 1 hr 25 min cooking.

What do I need to make Split Pea Soup?

The key ingredients are smoked ham, green split peas, onions, carrots, bay leaves and celery stalks, plus pantry basics.

Any tips for Split Pea Soup?

If the ham is too firm to shred, cut it into small cubes; it still gives a good contrast to the smooth soup.

Cook this next

More hamMore peasMore carrotsMore celery