Embrace the ultimate comfort food with this incredibly easy and delicious Instant Pot Split Pea Soup. In just 35 minutes, you can create a hearty, flavorful soup brimming with the irresistible tastes of smoky ham, crispy bacon, and tender vegetables. This recipe takes a classic dish and adapts it perfectly for your pressure cooker, significantly cutting down on cooking time without sacrificing any of the rich, savory depth. Perfect for a chilly evening or a satisfying lunch, this soup is sure to become a family favorite.

Why This Instant Pot Split Pea Soup Recipe Works So Well

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Traditional split pea soup, while undeniably delicious, often requires hours of simmering on the stovetop to achieve that desirable creamy texture and deep flavor. This Instant Pot version revolutionizes the game by cutting the cooking time dramatically – in half, or even more! The pressure cooker environment tenderizes the split peas and infuses all the savory ingredients like bacon, smoked ham, and aromatic thyme together in a fraction of the time, resulting in a perfectly cooked, rich soup in just 35 minutes.

Beyond its speed, this recipe stands out for its incredible flavor profile. We start by rendering bacon, creating a flavorful fat base that’s used to sauté onions, carrots, and celery, building layers of taste from the very beginning. The smoked ham adds another dimension of savory goodness, complementing the earthiness of the split peas beautifully. Plus, you have full control over the consistency; whether you prefer a thinner, brothier soup or a thick, creamy concoction, it’s easily adjustable with a simple immersion blender technique.

One of the best qualities of split pea soup is its remarkable ability to thicken as it cools and sits. This means your leftovers are not just a second meal, but often a completely new experience. A simple splash of extra water or chicken stock during reheating brings it back to your desired texture, essentially stretching one cooking session into multiple satisfying meals throughout the week. This makes it an ideal choice for meal prepping and busy households looking for nutritious, easy options that offer lasting comfort.

Key Ingredients for Your Hearty Split Pea Soup

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Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating this delightful soup. You’ll find a comprehensive list of all measurements and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card located at the very end of this article. But first, let’s take a look at the core components that make this soup so exceptional:

Ingredient Insights & Clever Substitutions

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Understanding each ingredient’s role and knowing what alternatives you can use can elevate your cooking experience and ensure success even if you’re missing something:

BACON – Don’t shy away from using thick-cut, fattier slices of bacon for this recipe. The rendered bacon fat is absolutely crucial for sautéing the onion, carrot, and celery mixture, imparting a foundational smoky flavor that permeates the entire soup. If you prefer, you can use pancetta for a similar rich flavor. For a vegetarian option, omit the bacon and use 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil to sauté the vegetables.

SPLIT PEAS – We use dried green split peas for this recipe. Unlike many other legumes, split peas do not require pre-soaking, which is another time-saver when using the Instant Pot. Always rinse your split peas thoroughly before cooking to remove any debris and ensure a clean taste.

STOCK – Chicken stock forms the savory liquid base of our soup. I recommend using a good quality regular chicken stock for the best flavor. If you opt for a low-sodium chicken stock, remember to taste and adjust the salt levels at the end of cooking, as the overall saltiness of your soup will be lower. For a deeper, richer flavor, consider using homemade chicken broth. A good quality vegetable broth can also be used for a vegetarian alternative.

HAM – Smoked ham adds a fantastic layer of salty, savory depth that pairs perfectly with the peas. If you happen to have a leftover ham bone or hock from a previous meal, this is an excellent opportunity to use it! Cooking with a ham bone will infuse the soup with an even richer, more authentic flavor. Simply add it along with the diced ham and thyme, then remove the bone before blending. If you don’t have smoked ham, other cured meats like a smoked sausage (andouille, kielbasa) can also work, though they will subtly change the flavor profile. For vegetarian, simply omit.

THYME – Fresh thyme sprigs provide an earthy, aromatic note that is classic in split pea soup. The recipe calls for 5 sprigs, but if your thyme sprigs are particularly dense and leafy, you might want to reduce the quantity to 2 or 3 to avoid an overpowering herbal taste. Alternatively, you can easily substitute fresh thyme with 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme. Just remember that dried herbs are more concentrated than fresh ones, so use sparingly.

VEGETABLES (Onion, Carrot, Celery) – This classic trio, commonly known as a mirepoix, is the aromatic backbone of countless soups and stews. They provide essential sweetness, depth, and texture. Ensure they are finely chopped for even cooking and to meld seamlessly into the soup. You can also add other root vegetables like parsnips or a small potato for extra body and flavor, though they are not strictly necessary.

GARLIC, SALT, & PEPPER – These fundamental seasonings are essential for rounding out the flavors. Freshly minced garlic offers a pungent kick, while kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper allow you to season the soup to perfection. Always taste and adjust to your preference.

FROZEN PEAS – A small addition of frozen peas near the end, blended into a puree, adds a vibrant green color and a fresh pea flavor, brightening the overall taste of the soup. This step also significantly contributes to achieving that desired creamy consistency without adding dairy.

Step-by-Step: Crafting Your Instant Pot Split Pea Soup

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These detailed step-by-step photos and instructions are here to guide you through the process visually. For a quick reference, you can jump directly to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page, complete with all measurements and instructions.

1. Sauté the Bacon: Begin by placing your chopped thick-cut bacon into the Instant Pot. Select the ‘sauté’ mode and cook the bacon until it’s softened and has rendered a good amount of fat, but avoid making it overly crispy. We want to extract its smoky flavor and fat for the next steps, which will form a rich base for the soup. You may remove some of the cooked bacon bits if you prefer a smoother soup, or leave them for added texture.
   
2. Sauté the Aromatics: Into the flavorful rendered bacon fat, add the finely chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Continue to cook on ‘sauté’ mode, stirring occasionally, until the onions become translucent and the vegetables start to soften, typically about 5-7 minutes. This step is crucial for building a robust, sweet flavor base that will enhance the entire soup.
   
3. Infuse with Garlic and Seasoning: Add the minced garlic, kosher salt, and ground black pepper to the pot. Stir well to combine and cook for about 1 minute more, until the garlic becomes wonderfully fragrant. Ensure the garlic doesn’t burn, as this can impart a bitter taste to your soup.
4. Check Fat Level & Add Peas: At this point, the bottom of the Instant Pot should still have a good amount of leftover fat from the bacon. This fat is essential for depth of flavor and preventing sticking. If you find there isn’t much, add about 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil before proceeding to the next step to ensure adequate lubrication and flavor.
   
5. Add Split Peas and Most of the Stock: Stir in the thoroughly rinsed dried split peas, ensuring they are well combined with the sautéed vegetables. Then, carefully pour in 6 cups of the chicken stock. It’s important to reserve the remaining 2 cups for a later step, which will be used to adjust the soup’s consistency and add a fresh pea flavor.
   
6. Introduce Ham and Thyme, Seal & Cook: Add the diced smoked ham and the fresh thyme sprigs to the pot. Stir gently to distribute these flavorful additions evenly throughout the mixture. Secure the lid on your Instant Pot, making sure the sealing ring is properly in place and the vent is set to the ‘sealing’ position. Select the ‘soup/broth’ mode and set it to ‘normal’ high pressure. Cook for 20 minutes.
   
7. Prepare the Pea Puree: While the soup is pressure cooking, take the reserved 2 cups of chicken stock and pour it into a medium bowl. Add the 1 cup of frozen peas to this bowl. Using an immersion blender (also known as a stick blender), blend the peas and stock until the mixture is completely smooth and vibrant green. This creates a fresh pea puree that will be incorporated into the soup later for an even creamier texture and brighter color. If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can carefully transfer the mixture to a regular blender and process until smooth.
   
8. Finish the Soup: Once the 20 minutes of pressure cooking are complete, allow for a natural pressure release for at least 10-15 minutes (this helps prevent foam from sputtering through the vent), then perform a quick release of any remaining pressure. Carefully open the lid. Remove and discard the thyme sprigs. Gradually pour the blended pea puree (add about 1 cup at a time) into the Instant Pot, stirring constantly, until you achieve your desired color and consistency. You might not need all of the puree, or you might want more, depending on how thick and green you prefer your soup.
9. Season and Thicken: Taste the soup and season with additional salt and pepper as needed. Flavors can concentrate during pressure cooking, so it’s best to adjust at this stage. Let the soup sit for another 5 minutes with the lid off. During this brief resting period, the soup will continue to thicken slightly, resulting in a perfect serving consistency.
   
10. Serve and Enjoy: Ladle your warm, comforting Instant Pot Split Pea Soup into bowls. Serve with your choice of optional garnishes, such as toasted baguette slices, crispy bread cubes, or a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Perfect Split Pea Soup

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Delightful Serving Suggestions

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Instant Pot Split Pea Soup is a meal in itself, but it truly shines when paired with the right accompaniments. A rustic, crusty bread is almost a requirement – perfect for soaking up every last drop of the rich broth. I especially love it served with warm, toasted baguette slices or a thick slice of homemade Italian bread. For an added crunch and savory element, consider topping your soup with homemade croutons or a sprinkle of crispy bacon bits. A final garnish of freshly ground black pepper and a generous sprinkle of fresh parsley or chives adds a touch of brightness and elevates the presentation. Pair it with a simple side salad for a complete and incredibly satisfying meal.

Explore More Instant Pot Creations

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If you love the convenience and speed of your Instant Pot as much as we do, you’ll be thrilled to discover more delicious and easy pressure cooker recipes to add to your rotation:

• Instant Pot Chili: A Speedy & Flavorful Classic
• Hearty Instant Pot Beef Stew: Comfort in a Bowl
• Easy Instant Pot Roast Beef: Tender & Juicy
• Creamy Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup: A Family Favorite

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