This inexpensive soup kept us warm during those cold blustery snow months in Upstate New York.
Grandma always seemed to get the right flavors when it came to soups.
If you love this soup, you might want to take a peek at my Best Soup Roundup of Recipes!
Soups can be made on the stovetop, slow-cooked in a crockpot, and even in the instant pot on the pressure cooker mode when in a hurry.
One of the best-kept secrets is just saving a ham bone from a holiday meal.
I usually throw the bone in a freezer bag and make this with it, or even save a pork shoulder bone that will also make it very flavorful, just save the bone!
For those who are huge bean lovers, you may also like to try my 20 Different Bean Recipe Roundup.
Scroll down to the bottom to get this printable delicious easy soup recipe.
Not a Fan of Split Peas?
You can add other vegetables to it or meats like Italian sausage, kielbasa, and back in the 1950s depression days, grandma even added sliced hotdogs in it or whatever leftover meat we had.
This split pea soup with ham in it has just basic flavors so any kinds of beans you use will work great if you're not fond of peas.
Best Split Pea Soup with Ham
- split peas
- cubed ham or ham bone
- unsalted butter
- onions
- potatoes
- celery
- carrots
- fresh garlic
- salt
- sugar
- black pepper
- red pepper flakes
- parsley
- basil
- garlic powder
- fresh thyme
- chicken broth
- hot sauce optional
More Soup Recipes We Love
Wedding Soup
Butternut Squash Soup
Ham Cabbage and White Bean Soup
Other Additions and Suggestions
- add more water if soup gets too thick or chicken broth
- other meats to use: pork, crumbled bacon, steak, pork sausage, kielbasa, hotdogs
- use a package or 15 beans soup instead of just peas
- slow cookers, instant pot or stovetop all can be used following the manufacturer's suggestions
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Split Pea Soup is a Super Comfort Food
What's better than soup at any time of the year.
Soup is pure comfort food.
Whether it's Old Fashioned Chicken soup that's perfect for the common cold or this delicious Best Split Pea Soup with Ham, it will surely hit the spot for all the split pea lovers out there.
This hearty soup, just like potato soup, makes an impression on everyone, it's a keeper.
Best Split Pea Soup with Ham
Yield: 10
prep time: 15 Mcook time: 1 hourtotal time: 1 H & 15 M
This is a hearty green split pea soup and for those who do not like these peas can substitute lentils and even white beans. A thick hearty comfort soup.
ingredients:
- 1 pound dried split peas
- 1 pound of chopped cubes of ham and a ham bone if you have it from leftovers
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup onions ( I do not use them for allergy reasons I have )
- 1 cup cubed potatoes
- 1/2 cup finely chopped celery
- 1/2 cup finely chopped carrots
- 3 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon parsley, garlic powder, basil dried
- 1/2 teaspoon of fresh thyme
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 3 teaspoons hot sauce optional
instructions:
How to cook Best Split Pea Soup with Ham
- Place the peas in a large pot or bowl, cover with water by 2 inches and soak overnight. Drain the peas and set them aside.
- Place ham and ham bone if you have it, in a pot, cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer for 1 hour. Drain and set aside.
- In a large pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the garlic (onions if you're using them) and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.
- Add the potatoes, celery, and carrots and cook, stirring, until just soft, about 3 minutes. Add the ham bone if using, ham cubes and cook, stirring, until beginning to brown. Add the drained peas, salt, pepper, and pepper flakes, and the rest of the spices, herbs.
- Cook, stirring for 2 minutes.
- Add 8 cups of chicken broth, thyme, optional hot sauce, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the peas are tender, about 1 hour. (Add more chicken broth or water as needed, if the soup becomes too thick or dry.)
Calories
320
320
Fat (grams)
14
14
Sat. Fat (grams)
8
8
Carbs (grams)
13
13
Net carbs
5
5
Sugar (grams)
22
22
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Ham Cabbage Tomato Soup
Vegetable Beef Italian Stew
Split pea and Cabbage Soup
Tuscan Sausage Tortellini Soup
3 bean Merlot Chili
Chicken and Spinach Bean Soup
Escarole Stoup Hearty Soup
Vegetable Stock Broth
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Disclosure: This recipe was originally shared in 2009. It was edited and re-published in 2021.
I love split pea soup, it is my favorite!! With ham it makes it even more special, your looks delicious. I add a little bit of squash (auyama) to my ham and split pea soup, it gives it creamier texture and wonderful taste.
ReplyDeleteHave a great day :)
I love peas. This soup with ham is so fragrant and tasty. Bye, have a great week
ReplyDeleteI had my first ever split pea soup a few months ago courtesy of my son - it had never excited me. I loved it but have yet to make it so I'll use this recipe when I do.
ReplyDeleteMmmm...I love me some split pea soup! This is yet another vegetable that I've only started eating in the last year or so. Your soup looks amazing. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI need to try split peas. Didn't used to like them, but it been many years. We'll see.
ReplyDeleteThis is my husband's favorite soup! After Easter, I'll try your recipe with my leftover ham :)
ReplyDeleteOhh I've always loved split pea soup! It's really good with the ham bone, ham bone, have you heard?
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
Your split pea soup looks so rich, flavorful, and wonderfully delicious!
ReplyDeleteI love spilt peas they give some nuttiness as well as sweetness. love it.
ReplyDeletethat does sound like the best and looks even better if that is possible... like how creamy the pea base looks yet the potatoes and all still are a bit cubed... gotta have that ham bone along with a good stock for sure... wish I had a big ol' bowl for supper...
ReplyDeleteOh, I love pea soup, I haven't made it in years! You've reminded me to do so. I will have to try your recipe. My mother used to make the best pea soup... I miss her, she was the best cook! As I know all of our moms were. :)
ReplyDeleteBest,
Gloria
Great way to warm up this April weather.
ReplyDelete- The Tablescaper
This looks great! Love the addition of ham. I made a yellow split pea soup last year with chorizo in it!
ReplyDeleteI've never added too much to my split pea soup being the peas, ham/bacon, and minced carrots, but I like the addition of potato and how chunky this looks compared to mine and hearty!
ReplyDeleteYour split pea soup looks so creamy and comforting! I need a bowl as it is going to snow here - can you believe it?!
ReplyDeleteThis would be hearty soup to post on Let's DO Brunch, if you have a moment to do that.
ReplyDeleteI can't eat ham but I can imagine how good this must be.
Ive never had split pea soup but I do want to try it!
ReplyDeleteThis looks great!
ReplyDeleteI love any kind of soup but ham and pea is like the ultimate bowl of comfort!
ReplyDeleteHot sauce is a nice touch for a split pea soup...I make a vegetarian version once in awhile and always love it...have to try it with some spice next time :)
ReplyDeleteI have a big bag of split peas and I was going to do them in the crockpot, But I cant find my recipe. I'm cleaning out the pantry, (where I last saw the recipe) and if I dont find it, it's nice to know I have this recipe to fall back on. It looks delicious.
ReplyDeleteI adore split peas. The soup looks hearty, comforting and tasty.
ReplyDelete