Split Pea Soup

How Do You Make Split Pea Soup?

This pea soup recipe is so simple, anyone can make it! For the exact proportions and directions, see the recipe above, but here’s the general skinny on this simple recipe: 

Chop and Mix: Dried split peas are stirred together in a big pot on the stove with water, chopped onion, celery and black pepper before a ham bone is added.

No Waste Ham Bone: Wait…what? Is this pea soup with ham bone added? Yes--you can use a leftover ham bone from your holiday meal or get one from your butcher at larger grocery stores. The scraps of ham left on the bone will loosen while the soup simmers, adding a smokey saltiness without needing any extra salt. It’s a terrific way to keep ham bones from going to waste.

Simmer Away: The soup is simmered on the stove until the split peas are tender. No work here—just an occasional stir is all it needs. 

Hammy Time: The ham bone is removed, the ham is cut into pieces and added back to the soup with sliced carrots to simmer again until the split peas literally break apart, thickening the soup while the carrots become tender.

It is crazy easy, and so satisfying! Want to make split pea soup in your slow cooker? Here’s our favorite recipe. It is a wonderful way to enjoy green pea soup any time of the year, as it will not heat up your kitchen.
 

What Can I Serve with Split Pea Soup?

There are so many directions you can go with this split pea ham soup recipe, depending on how hearty you want to make the meal. You can make it a different combination each time you serve it!

Cozy Breads: Our delicious cornbread recipe makes a great match for this soup--with a slather of honey butter or a drizzle of maple syrup, of course! Or make our crusty garlic bread to go along with it.

Tasty Sandwiches: If you want to turn it into an even heartier meal, pair hot, steamy bowls of it with a flavorful sandwich, such as a BLT Sandwich, as the bacon flavor of the sandwich will amplify the smokey-salty flavor of the soup or Turkey Salad Sandwiches. Either one is a match made in heaven!

Souper Salads: Want to fill up with even more veggies? Match the Split Pea Soup with and Ham with a crunchy, colorful salad, like Waldorf Salad or Mandarin Mixed Greens Salad.

The Sweetness of Fruit: Serve up your favorite fruit to round out the meal. Mild-flavored fruits like apples, pears or mango add flavor, texture and color that will complement those of the soup.

How Should I Store Split Pea Soup?

Unbelievably, storing our split pea soup recipe can make it even more amazing! Making it in advance improves the flavor as well as making it thicker. Or you can keep any leftovers for another delicious meal that requires no prep beyond a simple reheat. 

Cool It Down: Whatever the reason, it is good to cool it down quickly, to avoid any potential risk for food borne illness. You can do this by ladling the hot soup into small food storage containers. Let it sit uncovered up to 1/2 hour before covering.

Refrigerate It: Cover the containers and refrigerate for up to 7 days.

Freeze It: Cover the containers and freeze it up to 2 months.

Reheating: To reheat either refrigerated or frozen soup, remove cover and cover loosely with plastic wrap. Microwave on High (100%) refrigerated soup 2 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until heated through. If soup is too thick, stir in a little water, until desired consistency. Heat again until heated through; frozen soup: Microwave 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally and breaking up clumps, or until heated through. Follow the same directions if the soup is too thick.