• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Subscribe to updates & get a free recipe book!

Subscribe & Get My Free Ebook!

Recipes, Crafts and More
  • About
  • Video Library
  • My Saved Recipe Box

Onion Rings & Things

Recipes, Crafts and More

  • All Recipes
  • By Course
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Bread and Baked Goods
    • Cocktails and Beverages
    • Desserts and Sweets
    • Main Dishes
    • Salads & Sides
    • Sandwiches & Snacks
    • Soups, Stews, Casseroles
    • Sauces, Dressings, Condiments
    • Fun Food
  • By Ingredient
    • Fish & Seafood
    • Fruits & Vegetables
    • Grains & Legumes
    • Eggs & Dairy
    • Potatoes, Pasta, Rice
    • Meat & Poultry
  • By Method
    • BBQ & Grill
    • Slow Cooker
    • Pressure Cooker
    • Oven
Home Soups, Stews and Casseroles

Split Pea and Ham Soup

5
/5
2 hrs 15 mins
1 Comment
Jump to RecipePrint
By: LalainePosted: 12/17/2022Updated: 12/17/2022
1142 shares
  • Share
  • Email

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Split Pea and Ham Soup is made extra tasty with carrots, celery, and onions. Thick, hearty, and flavorful, it’s the perfect cold weather comfort food!

Split Pea and Ham Soup in pot and white bowl
Split Pea and Ham Soup
Table of Contents hide
  • 1 Split peas
  • 2 Quick tip
  • 3 Serving suggestions
  • 4 Storage and reheating instructions
  • 5 Split Pea and Ham Soup

I was clearing the freezer today to make way for my freshly-bought meat when I found a lone ham bone tucked between trays of chicken legs and stewing beef. The bone was from the honey-glazed ham we had for Easter, which I bagged and meant to use for soups and stocks but forgot about as new purchases piled on top of the other in the freezer.

It was like a gift from above! The weather has been quite chilly this past week and a hearty split pea and ham soup was the perfect hug in a bowl we needed.

I sauteed a mirepoix blend of onions, carrots, and celery as the flavor base threw in the ham bone for a smoky depth, and added a potato the help thicken the soup. In no time at all, I had ready a scrumptious soup that was both nourishing and comforting.

split peas, carrots, celery, onions, ham, bay leaves, potato, chicken broth, salt, pepper

Split peas

Split peas are peas that have been dried, peeled, and divided into two cotyledons. The removal of the husk and the eventual splitting result in a softer texture and shorter cooking time. There’s no need to soak split peas before cooking as they cook relatively quickly, and you can have a pot of soup ready in one to two hours, depending on the recipe.

Color can vary from green to yellow depending on the peas’ genotype. While there is no difference in flavor, nutritional content, and cooking time, green peas have a slightly sweeter taste than their yellow counterpart.

diced ham hock

Split pea soup is typically made by simmering split peas with sautéed carrots, celery, and onions until tender. Although ham bone and hocks are commonly used to add meaty flavor, bacon, sausages, smoked turkey legs, and pork riblets are also great choices. You can also omit the ham for a vegetarian option!

The soup is hearty and delicious; it’s also a nutrient-dense meal high in Potassium and Vitamin K, as well as fiber and protein.

adding chicken broth to sauteed onions, carrots, and celery in a pot

Quick tip

Do not forget the potato as it makes the soup thicker and heartier. Add at the last 30 minutes of cook time and mash when softened.

eating split pea soup with ham in a white bowl

Serving suggestions

This split pea and ham soup makes a great meal starter or a standalone main dish. Feel free to spruce up your bowl of soup with chopped ham, crumbled bacon, or crunchy croutons for another layer of yum! Add a dollop of sour cream to make it extra creamy or a splash of hot sauce to spice it up. Serve piping hot with your favorite sandwich, tossed salad, or crusty bread, and enjoy!

Storage and reheating instructions

  • Transfer leftovers in a container with a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
  • Reheat in a saucepan over medium heat to 165 F, stirring well. Add more water or chicken broth as needed to loosen consistency.

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @OnionRingsAndThings on Facebook and Instagram!

Split Pea and Ham Soup in pot and white bowl
5 from 1 vote

Split Pea and Ham Soup

Keep warm with a hearty bowl of Split Pea Soup. It's thick and flavorful with carrots, celery, onions, and ham for the ultimate comfort food.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 2 hrs
Total Time: 2 hrs 15 mins
Author: Lalaine
Course: Soup
Print Pin It Email Recipe
8 Servings

Ingredients

  • 1 pound dried split peas
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large onion, peeled and chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
  • 3 medium carrots, peeled and finely chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
  • 8 cups chicken broth
  • 1 ham bone
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 large russet potato, peeled and quartered
  • salt and pepper to taste
US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Sort through the dried split peas and discard any grit or discolored peas. In a bowl, place peas and enough water to cover. After a minute, remove any peas or skin that float to top. Rinse split peas and drain well.
  • In a large pot over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add onions, garlic, carrots and celery. Cook, stirring regularly, until softened.
  • Add water and bring to a boil. 
  • Add dried split peas, ham bone, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, skimming off scum that may float on top. 
  • Lower heat, cover and simmer for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until peas are tender. 
  • In the last 30 minutes, add potatoes and cook until very tender. Using back of spoon, mash potatoes to help thicken soup.
  • Remove ham bone and scrape meat from bone. Chop ham meat and return to pot. 
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into serving bowls and serve hot.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 253kcal, Carbohydrates: 42g, Protein: 16g, Fat: 3g, Sodium: 895mg, Potassium: 973mg, Fiber: 16g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 3950IU, Vitamin C: 23.4mg, Calcium: 69mg, Iron: 3.9mg

“This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.”

Did You Make This?

Mention @OnionRingsAndThings and hashtag your photo with #OnionRingsAndThings

Share

Save Recipe Saved! Rate It

About Lalaine

Welcome to Onion Rings and Things where you’ll find hundreds of comfort food recipes, crafts, and printables. Browse around and make something fun or tasty today! Read More

White Hot Chocolate in a clear glass cup, can of whipped topping, and candy sprinkles
Previous Post
White Hot Chocolate (Stove top or Slow Cooker)
stack of Unbelievable Peanut Butter Cookies
Next Post
Unbelievable Three Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Have a question? Submit your question or comment below.

Recipe Rating




  1. Janet says

    Posted on 12/21/22 at 4:57 pm

    5 stars
    Definitely a must on a cold day. It’s absolutely delicious. I used bacon in place of ham but I would use ham if I had it.

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Welcome!

Welcome to Onion Rings and Things where you’ll find hundreds of comfort food recipes, crafts, and printables. Browse around and make something fun or tasty today!

Read More

Subscribe & Get My Free Ebook!

Get My Copy!

Subscribe & Get My Free Ebook!

Trending Recipes

cherry trifle dessert on a serving plate

Heaven on Earth Cake

Plump and pillowy, these IHOP Pancakes copycat are just as tasty and delicious as what you'd find in the restaurant yet cost a fraction of the price. You can easily double the recipe to feed a large crowd or add chopped fresh fruits to the batter for another layer of yum.

IHOP Pancakes Copycat

Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders

Golden Corral Bourbon Street Chicken Copycat brings all the sweet, sticky, salty and yummy flavors you love right in your own kitchen. Only 3 ingredients and less than 20 minutes of cook time for an amazing dinner meal the whole family will love!

Golden Corral Bourbon Street Chicken Copycat

Holiday Sweet Treats

stacked Toffee Drop Cookies

Toffee Drop Cookies

holding chocolate caramel candies with fingers

Triple Treat Chocolate Caramel Candy Bars

Flourless Chocolate Fudge Crinkle Cookies stacked on on a plate

Flourless Chocolate Fudge Crinkle Cookies

white chocolate chip cookies on a wire rack to cool

Chocolate White Chocolate Chip Cookies

More Popular

Soups, Stews and Casseroles

Tuscan soup in a white bowl

Zuppa Toscana (Olive Garden’s Tuscan Soup)

pear salad with dried cranberries, feta cheese and poppy seed dressing on a serving plate

Pear and Feta Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

Pork Chili Verde in a white bowl with tortilas on the side

Pork Chili Verde

Mexican Crab Cocktail in a white bowl with corn chips on the side

Mexican Crab Cocktail

Homemade Coconut Lime Body Scrub in a glass container

Coconut Lime Body Scrub

Homemade Cherry Hand Pies in a cloth-lined basket with fresh cherries on the side

Homemade Cherry Hand Pies

Browse All

Get a Free e-Cookbook!

Join our newsletter to get new recipe updates, a free copy of our Top 10 Pressure Cooker e-Cookbook, exclusive meal plans, and more.

As Featured On:

Back to Top
Back to Top
  • Privacy & Terms
  • Contact Us
© 2023 Onion Rings & Things
Site Credits Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled