Split Pea Soup Recipe (2024)

Classic split pea soup! Dried split peas are cooked with ham hocks, onions, garlic, and leeks. This filling, hearty soup is perfect for cold winter days.

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Elise Bauer

Split Pea Soup Recipe (1)

Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.

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Updated February 06, 2022

Split Pea Soup Recipe (2)

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There's something about winter that just begs for the making of split pea soup, wouldn't you agree?

Like the proverbial groundhog, who failing to see his shadow, retreats into the comfort of his burrow, in the chilly, foggy dampness of what is Sacramento winter, I stick my head out the door, only to make a quick retreat back into the house, wanting nothing more than to make a big pot of this hearty soup.

Made with dried "split" peas, and cooked up with flavorful, smoky ham hocks, split pea soup is warm, satisfying, and great for leftovers. This split pea soup recipe is adapted from one written by Julia Child years ago for a Parade Magazine article.

Video: How to Make Split Pea Soup

1:18

Split Pea Soup

What Are Split Peas?

Split peas are different from the fresh peas we use to make side dishes or mix into shepherd's pie. They're a specific kind of field pea that is intended to be dried for long storage. After removing the outer hull, the peas are split in half along a natural seam, hence "split peas."

Split peas are either green or yellow; for this soup we're using green split peas. (Here's a version with yellow split peas.)

You can store split peas for up to a year. Because they are small and already split in half, they don't require pre-soaking and will cook faster than other kinds of dried legumes.

  • Tip: don't store your dried split peas too long. Old peas take much longer to cook. In fact, if your split peas remain hard even after a long cooking time, the likely cause is that your peas were old. Even if you recently bought them, it's hard to know how long they were sitting on the shelf at the store. Best advice? Use the peas by their "best buy" time printed on the package.

Split Pea Soup Recipe (4)

Ways to Top Your Soup

I like to top this soup with a handful of homemade croutons and some chopped parsley or chives.

It's easy to make your own croutons (here's how). You can also toast a piece of bread until quite dry and then tear it into pieces with your hands.

More topping ideas? Remove the meat from the ham hocks and stir it into your soup, or add some smoky bacon or diced chicken. You could also add a handful of chopped baby spinach or another green, or top your bowl with a swirl of thinned yogurt or sour cream.

How to Store and Freeze This Soup

Split pea soup can be kept refrigerated for about a week, or frozen for up to three months.

To freeze, cool the soup completely, then transfer to freezer containers or bags. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, or gently warm the frozen soup in a saucepan over low heat on the stove top.

Looking for More Easy Soup Recipes?

Split Pea Soup

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time110 mins

Total Time2 hrs

Servings6 servings

For the Herb Bouquet: Tie 3 cloves garlic, 4 allspice berries, 2 bay leaves, 1 teaspoon thyme, 8 sprigs parsley in rinsed cheesecloth or place in bouquet garni muslin bag.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound (2 1/4 cups) green split peas

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

  • 1 large onion, peeled and chopped

  • 2 ribs celery, chopped

  • 1 large leek, chopped

  • 1 large carrot, chopped

  • 1 large clove garlic, halved

  • 1 herb bouquet (see Recipe Note)

  • 2 ham hocks, well rinsed

  • Salt

  • Freshly ground black pepper

  • Smalltoasted croutons(avoid for gluten-free version), for garnish

  • Chopped parsley or chives, for garnish

Method

  1. Pick over the peas and remove any stones. Rinse and drain the peas.

  2. Sauté the vegetables:

    Heat the olive oil in a large (4-quart) thick bottomed pot on medium high heat. Add the chopped onion, celery, carrot, and leek. Cook until the onion is translucent, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook a minute more.

  3. Cook the peas with the vegetables, herbs, ham hocks and water:

    Place peas in the pot with the vegetables, herb bouquet, ham hocks and 2 1/2 quarts of water. Bring to a simmer.

    Skim the scum off the top of the soup for several minutes, until the scum ceases to rise.

    Partially cover and simmer about 1 1/2 hours, or until peas are tender, stirring occasionally in case they stick to the bottom of the pan.

  4. Remove the ham hocks and herb bouquet from the soup.

  5. Purée the soup:

    Purée the soup with a blender. An immersion blender works great for this; if you are using a regular blender, take care to work in batches and only fill the blender halfway if the soup is still hot, and hold down the lid while blending.

    If you want an exceptionally smooth soup, pass the purée through a sieve.

  6. Remove the meat from the ham hocks (optional):

    If you'd like cut away the outer skin from the ham hocks and remove the meat from the bones. Dice the meat and stir it into the pureed soup.

  7. Season to taste:

    Return the puréed soup to the pot and heat until once again steaming. Add salt and pepper to taste.

  8. Serve garnished with croutons:

    Ladle into warm bowls and garnish with croutons and parsley or chives.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
389Calories
8g Fat
57g Carbs
24g Protein
Show Full Nutrition LabelHide Full Nutrition Label

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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories389
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 8g11%
Saturated Fat 2g8%
Cholesterol 16mg5%
Sodium 174mg8%
Total Carbohydrate 57g21%
Dietary Fiber 21g75%
Total Sugars 9g
Protein 24g
Vitamin C 7mg35%
Calcium 67mg5%
Iron 5mg26%
Potassium 843mg18%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

Split Pea Soup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is it necessary to soak split peas before cooking? ›

It's true, soaking peas overnight in water shortens their cooking time. But soaking isn't entirely necessary. Split peas cook relatively quickly. Unsoaked peas take from 1 to 2 hours of simmering; soaked peas take about 40 minutes.

Are split peas inflammatory? ›

Split peas offer significant levels of protein, iron, zinc, and phosphorus. A diet rich in split peas and other legumes may help reduce cholesterol, hypertension, and the risk of prediabetes, and may also offer significant anti-inflammatory effects.

Is split pea soup healthy? ›

YES! Split pea soup is very healthy – it has 27 grams of protein and 18 grams of fiber in just one serving. And since my goal is at least 25 grams of fiber per day, this soup is an easy way to get there. Split peas are a great source of folate, iron, and potassium.

How do you add flavor to a bland split pea soup? ›

Salt and pepper you can just stir in. Same goes for bouillion cubes/paste, though you'll want to mix them into a small amount of soup first to get them to dissolve well and then stir that into the rest of the soup. If you want to add real meat, you'll want to cook it a while longer to get the flavor into the soup.

Can you overcook split peas? ›

Split peas take a very long time to soften, so you don't have to worry about overcooking them. If you'd like the rest of the vegetables in your soup to retain some bite, add them later into the cooking time.

How do you thicken split pea soup? ›

Add Flour Or Cornstarch

You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute. For the best results, never add flour or cornstarch directly to your soup. If you do, it will clump up on top. Instead, ladle a small amount of broth into a separate bowl and let it cool.

Can split peas raise blood pressure? ›

Split peas contain potassium, which helps to lower blood pressure. Due to their potassium-rich nutritional composition, beans, peas, chickpeas, and lentils help lower blood pressure, prevent heart disease, and promote overall heart health.

How do you reduce gas in split pea soup? ›

Now, lots of people soak their split peas first. It can help reduce the cooking time (from 1-2 hours on the stove top, down to 40 minutes) and split peas also have a compound called phytic acid which can make you gassy. It's totally up to you. Just put them in a bowl and let them soak overnight.

Does split pea soup cause gas and bloating? ›

However, when peas are dried (also called split peas) and used in soups, they are well-known for causing gas. This also happens with other dried legumes (dried peas, beans, lentils and soya). To avoid the buildup of gas from dried, cooked legumes, introduce them in small quantities to your diet.

Does split pea soup cause inflammation? ›

Peas contain dietary fibre and antioxidants so they reduce inflammation AND encourage healthy gut bacteria. They're also low in calories but high in protein, antioxidants and micronutrients.

What is healthier lentil or split pea soup? ›

Nutrition: Split peas are richer in nutrients such as vitamins A, C, K, and many types of B vitamins. However, lentils take first place in terms of fiber and protein content and are an excellent source of folate.

Is pea soup good for kidneys? ›

Generally any mature bean or pea contains a large amount of potassium and phosphorus. Since people on dialysis and those with later stage kidney disease must limit these minerals, peas are one of the foods that deserve special consideration in kidney diet meal plannning.

What is a good spice to put on peas? ›

I included parsley, salt, and pepper because they are good seasonings for peas. You can also try adding fresh mint (such a delicious combo!) or some crispy bacon pieces.

What seasonings taste good on peas? ›

Put your peas in a large skillet along with some salted sweet cream butter, crushed or minced fresh garlic, and a little bit of sugar.
...
You can serve them this way if you like, or add additional seasonings, such as:
  • Basil.
  • Parsley.
  • Oregano.
  • Tarragon.
  • Paprika.
  • Dill.
  • Turmeric.
  • Cumin.

What compliments split pea soup? ›

Here are seven of the best side dishes to serve for split pea soup:
  • 1 – Coleslaw.
  • 2 – Roasted Green Beans.
  • 3 – Buttered Noodles.
  • 4 – Mashed Potatoes.
  • 5 – Dinner Rolls.
  • 6 – Cheddar Biscuits.
  • 7 – Beet Salad with Goat Cheese.

Why is my split pea soup not mushy? ›

The belief that beans can't be salted early in cooking also has been disproved in several test kitchens, so salt probably isn't the problem either. If your split peas don't get soft, it's more likely they are old or were stored in a container that wasn't airtight.

Why is my split pea soup so thick? ›

The starches and the gelatin will form a mesh when cooling, so the consistency of the pea-soup will always be thick when cold. On heating, do what Mien advised: add some water or broth to the soup to the consistency that you want.

How long do split peas need to be cooked? ›

Stovetop. Rinse split peas before cooking. Place 1 cup of split peas in a large pot with 2 cups of water and ½ tsp salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, cover and cook until smooth, 25 minutes.

How much water do I use for 2 cups of split peas? ›

Cooking. Bring about 1.5 cups of water or broth to a boil for every cup of lentils or split peas.

How long does homemade split pea soup last? ›

Split pea soup can be kept refrigerated for about a week, or frozen for up to three months. To freeze, cool the soup completely, then transfer to freezer containers or bags. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, or gently warm the frozen soup in a saucepan over low heat on the stove top.

How do you cook split peas so they are soft? ›

Rinse the split peas in a colander under cold water. Transfer the peas to a medium-size pot along with water, or stock, and salt. Bring the peas to a boil over high heat. Add on a lid and simmer over low heat for 25 minutes or just until tender.

Is split pea soup good for high cholesterol? ›

Split peas are high in fiber, which can help decrease cholesterol, normalize blood sugars and help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight. All of these things, in turn, support a healthy heart.

What foods have an immediate effect on blood pressure? ›

11 Foods that Increase Blood Pressure
  • Table Salt. If you are trying to follow a low-sodium diet, this seems like an obvious one, but it needs to be said. ...
  • Certain Condiments and Sauces. ...
  • Foods with Saturated and Trans Fat. ...
  • Fried Food. ...
  • Fast Food. ...
  • Canned, Frozen, and Processed Foods. ...
  • Deli Meats and Cured Meats. ...
  • Salted Snacks.

What vegetables bring down high blood pressure? ›

13 foods that help lower blood pressure
  • romaine lettuce.
  • arugula.
  • kale.
  • turnip greens.
  • collard greens.
  • spinach.
  • beet greens.
  • Swiss chard.

Is split pea soup hard on the stomach? ›

Split peas and other legumes contain resistant starch, which is hard to digest. Bacteria in the colon break down the starch and as a by-product produce butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid, that may help prevent colon cancer.

Is Pea Soup anti inflammatory? ›

Peas contain dietary fibre and antioxidants so they reduce inflammation AND encourage healthy gut bacteria. They're also low in calories but high in protein, antioxidants and micronutrients.

Does split pea soup raise blood sugar? ›

There are some foods that are very beneficial for a diabetic and split peas are one of those foods. This dish should definitely be in your menu. Peas help stabilise blood sugar levels while providing a steady supply of energy.

How do you stop gas from eating peas? ›

Tips to reduce gas

These include: soaking beans and legumes in water before cooking them.

Are split peas good for weight loss? ›

Split peas provide fiber, protein, magnesium, and zinc—all things we need more of in our diets. They are also low in calories but highly feeling, making them an ideal ingredient if you're trying to lose weight.

Do you soak split peas in hot or cold water? ›

- Soak in cold water until peas are completely reconstituted, with all wrinkles removed. - If you use soda or pea steeping tablets to soften the pea skin, to allow quicker water uptake, dissolve the measure in hot water and stir into cold water mass.

Are green or yellow split peas better for soup? ›

You can use green or yellow split peas. They have a similar taste, so whatever you find at the grocery store will work just fine! I highly recommend using a vegetarian “chicken style” broth. These tend to have a lot more flavor than vegetable broth.

Are split peas good for the liver? ›

Split peas are a legume full of fibre, 3 B-vitamins and protein – with low levels of fat. All of which is great for liver function.

What are the harmful effects of eating peas? ›

Like other legumes, green peas have been reported to cause bloating, an uncomfortable swelling of the stomach often accompanied by gas and flatulence. These effects may occur for a few reasons, one of them being the content of FODMAPs — fermentable oligo-, di-, mono-saccharides and polyols.

Is split pea soup full of carbs? ›

Split pea soup

Peas are starchy veggies, which means you'll be getting a hefty amount of carbs (26 grams per cup) along with other nutrients like fiber. Many soups also have a lot of salt, so pick reduced-sodium varieties.

How long should you soak split peas? ›

To soak your split peas place them in a bowl of water (or a ziplock of water)! They take about 4 hours to be soaked through.

Are split peas protein or carbs? ›

Split peas are a great source of plant-based protein, plus they come with many additional health benefits. A 1/2 cup of cooked split peas contains about 115 calories, 8 grams of protein, and 8 grams of fiber. They are also low in fat, and a good source of folate, iron, and potassium.

Which beans are not good for kidney? ›

But if you're on dialysis, these foods can put an additional strain on your kidneys due to their high phosphorus and potassium content, raising your risk of problems. This includes plant-based proteins such as nuts and nut butters, seeds, dried beans (such as lima, black, white, and baked beans), peas, and lentils.

Does split pea soup have a lot of potassium? ›

A 1-cup serving of split pea soup provides 463 milligrams of the 4,700 milligrams of potassium you need on a daily basis. Potassium regulates your heart beat and enables your muscles to work properly.

What does baking soda do to peas? ›

Bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) added to the peas whilst soaking helps retain colour and, more importantly, it helps to soften their skins, allowing them to absorb the soaking water. It is another vital ingredient.

How do you sweeten peas? ›

Add a little sugar to the peas. It's ok, it won't taste weird and it will bring out the natural sweetness. Don't add salt until ready to serve. Salting them too early can dehydrate them and they (obviously) won't be as sweet.

What herbs plant well with peas? ›

Peas grow well with aromatic herbs such as mint and cilantro. These strong scents will repel pests that otherwise love to destroy peas such as aphids. The strong scent of basil repels thrips which are an enemy of peas. Peas also do great with carrots, celery and parsley.

Why do you soak peas before cooking? ›

If you don't cook dried beans or peas often, here are a few helpful things to know: Rinse your beans before cooking, as they're not always cleaned before packaging. Soaking dried beans will make them cook more evenly, plus can help remove the enzyme that causes gas.

What meat goes well with peas? ›

Bacon, barley, beef, bocconcini, buffalo mozzarella, bulgur, butter, chicken, curry, egg, farro, ham, millet, parmesan, pasta, polenta, pork, prawn, quinoa, rice, ricotta, sesame seeds.

What to add to peas to make a complete protein? ›

Pea is high in protein - about 7.9 grams per cup. However, pea provides only 8 of the 9 essential amino acids sufficiently - it is a little low on methionine. Pea pairs well with brazil nut, pili nut, chia seeds, sesame seeds or wild rice to create a complete protein profile.

How do you spice up bland split pea soup? ›

Salt and pepper you can just stir in. Same goes for bouillion cubes/paste, though you'll want to mix them into a small amount of soup first to get them to dissolve well and then stir that into the rest of the soup. If you want to add real meat, you'll want to cook it a while longer to get the flavor into the soup.

Can you overcook split pea soup? ›

Can you overcook slow-cooker split pea soup? Split peas take a very long time to soften, so you don't have to worry about overcooking them. If you'd like the rest of the vegetables in your soup to retain some bite, add them later into the cooking time.

What can I add to bland pea soup? ›

Yellow onion, celery, carrots and garlic – these vegetables built up the background flavors of the soup. They add some nice color too. Chicken broth and water – I like to use half chicken broth and half water (vs. all broth) so it doesn't overpower the delicate flavor of the peas.

How long soak dried peas before cooking? ›

If you do soak them, you can just pop them into a large bowl with a pinch of salt, cover them with a few inches of water and leave them for 12-24 hours (so you can do them before you go to bed and cook them the next night for dinner), then drain and rinse.

Can you speed up soaking split peas? ›

Types of Beans and How to Use Them in Your Cooking

Then, strain the beans with a colander, discarding the soaking water. For a faster soak, try boiling the beans in the water for two minutes, then letting them stand for one hour. Another option is to microwave the (covered) beans and water for 10 to 15 minutes.

Does soaking split peas reduce gas? ›

Now, lots of people soak their split peas first. It can help reduce the cooking time (from 1-2 hours on the stove top, down to 40 minutes) and split peas also have a compound called phytic acid which can make you gassy. It's totally up to you. Just put them in a bowl and let them soak overnight.

Do you rinse split peas after soaking? ›

Split peas, like lentils, do not need to be soaked before cooking. Beans require soaking prior to cooking, but because these are peas they can be used directly in the recipe. It is still a good idea to rinse your peas thoroughly before cooking to remove any dirt particles.

What happens if you soak peas too long? ›

If they are soaked for longer than 12 hours, they can lose their familiar flavor and become overly mushy.

Can you soak peas too long? ›

Each pea variety is in its own plastic container filled half full with water, so the peas are well covered. Only soak seeds for about eight to 12-hours and no more than 24-hours. Over-soaking them could cause them to decompose.

How many cups of water do you use for split peas? ›

3 cups of water for 1 cup of split peas. the desired texture. For split peas that hold their shape, cook for 20 minutes. To make a smooth puree, cook for 40 minutes or longer.

What goes with split pea soup? ›

Here are seven of the best side dishes to serve for split pea soup:
  • 1 – Coleslaw.
  • 2 – Roasted Green Beans.
  • 3 – Buttered Noodles.
  • 4 – Mashed Potatoes.
  • 5 – Dinner Rolls.
  • 6 – Cheddar Biscuits.
  • 7 – Beet Salad with Goat Cheese.

Why won't my split peas get soft? ›

If your split peas don't get soft, it's more likely they are old or were stored in a container that wasn't airtight. Even though they keep for quite a while, dried beans don't keep forever.

Should you discard bean soaking water? ›

Drain beans and discard soak water. (NOTE: Cold water starts but does not complete the rehydration process so the beans will appear wrinkled after soaking. They will fully rehydrate during cooking.)

How do you get the gas out of pea soup? ›

To cut down on the gassy properties, you can add a little baking soda to your recipe. The baking soda helps break down some of the beans' natural gas-making sugars.

Does split peas raise blood sugar? ›

The fiber and protein content of peas is thought to help slow digestion, which, in turn, can help smooth out blood sugar levels after eating. Peas also rank low on the glycemic index scale, with a glycemic index of 22.

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