Hearty & Classic Split Pea Soup with Ham: Your Ultimate Winter Comfort Food Recipe
Embrace the comforting warmth of a truly classic dish: Split Pea Soup. This timeless recipe offers a perfect blend of protein, wholesome vegetables, and satisfying carbs, making it an ideal meal to nourish you and your family, especially during the colder months. More than just a soup, it’s a complete meal in a bowl, brimming with flavor and tradition.
This beloved family favorite holds a special place in my heart, right alongside my renowned French Onion Soup recipe!
The Enduring Appeal of Homemade Split Pea Soup
There’s something truly special about a homemade bowl of split pea soup. For many, including myself, it evokes fond memories of childhood and family gatherings. It’s one of those comforting recipes that grandmothers and fathers lovingly prepared, filling the home with an inviting aroma and satisfying hungry bellies. My dad would often make a large batch on weekends, and it had a magical way of lasting throughout the week. As the soup settles and thickens over time, a splash of water or broth can effortlessly restore it to its original, delightful consistency, extending its enjoyment for days.
This classic ham and split pea soup isn’t just a delicious meal; it’s also incredibly budget-friendly and resourceful. It’s a fantastic way to utilize leftover ham, particularly after a holiday feast. The savory richness of the ham bone, if you have one, infuses the peas and vegetables with an unparalleled depth of flavor, transforming simple ingredients into a gourmet experience. It’s a testament to how humble ingredients can create something extraordinary, a truly satisfying and wholesome dish that warms you from the inside out.
Wholesome Goodness: Key Ingredients and Their Benefits
This hearty split pea soup is absolutely loaded with nutritious ingredients that contribute to its robust flavor and health benefits. At its core are, of course, the split peas themselves. Technically a legume and a seed, split peas are nutritional powerhouses. They are an excellent source of dietary fiber, which aids in digestion, helps regulate blood sugar levels, and contributes to a feeling of fullness. This high fiber content is a major reason why split pea soup is so incredibly satisfying and sustains you for hours.
Beyond the peas, our recipe includes a generous amount of fresh vegetables: two onions, three celery stalks, and three carrots. These aromatics not only build the foundational flavor of the soup but also add a wealth of vitamins and minerals. Carrots are packed with Vitamin A, essential for vision and immune health, while celery provides Vitamin K and important antioxidants. Onions add a pungent sweetness and contribute to the soup’s aromatic complexity. Together, these vegetables create a balanced and deeply flavorful broth that complements the earthy peas and savory ham beautifully. The addition of a medium potato also contributes to the soup’s creamy texture and provides extra carbohydrates for energy, making it a truly well-rounded and nourishing meal.
Gather Your Ingredients for This Easy Split Pea Soup
- 1 bag (1 pound) dried green split peas (no pre-soaking required!)
- 2 quarts water, plus an additional 2-4 cups (for thinning the broth if desired)
- 1 1/2 pounds diced ham (the butt portion is recommended for its leaner profile compared to the shank side)
- 2 medium onions (approximately 8 ounces), thinly sliced
- 2 dried whole bay leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper, plus more for serving
- 1/8 teaspoon marjoram, optional but highly recommended for added depth
- 3 celery stalks, thoroughly chopped
- 3 carrots (about 13 ounces), ends removed, peeled and chopped
- 1 medium potato (approximately 9 ounces), diced
- Salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste (adjust carefully, as ham often provides ample saltiness)
Helpful Kitchen Tools for Your Split Pea Soup Journey
- Ladle
- Large soup pot or Dutch oven
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Cutting board
- Chef’s knife
- Pepper grinder
Crafting Your Perfect Pot of Split Pea Soup
Creating this delicious split pea soup is surprisingly straightforward, requiring minimal effort for a truly rewarding outcome. With just a bit of simmer time, you can easily prepare a hearty, filling, and incredibly satisfying meal for yourself and your loved ones. What makes this recipe even more appealing is its cost-effectiveness; it’s an economical choice that leverages simple, affordable ingredients. It’s also an excellent way to make the most of leftover ham, transforming holiday remnants into a brand-new, equally delightful dish.
This particular recipe draws inspiration from the classic split pea soup my dad made so often when I was growing up. His version, prepared frequently during the colder months, was always a source of immense comfort. There’s truly nothing quite like a warm bowl of pea soup to take the chill out of a crisp winter day, wrapping you in a blanket of nostalgic flavors and warmth. This recipe carries on that tradition, offering a taste of home and a comforting embrace in every spoonful.
Top Tips for an Unforgettable Homemade Split Pea Soup
- To Soak or Not to Soak: While many recipes suggest pre-soaking split peas overnight, it’s generally not necessary for this recipe. Split peas tend to break down quite easily during cooking. Soaking can marginally speed up the cooking process, but you’ll achieve the same creamy consistency without it.
- Leverage the Ham Bone: If your ham came with a bone, absolutely add it to the soup! Introduce it at the very beginning with the diced ham. The bone will impart incredible depth and a smoky flavor to the broth, enhancing the overall richness of your split pea soup. Just remember to remove it before serving.
- Adjusting Consistency: As mentioned, split pea soup thickens significantly as it cools. Don’t be afraid to add extra water, chicken broth, or vegetable broth to reach your desired consistency, especially when reheating leftovers. Start with 1 cup and add more gradually until it’s perfect.
- Seasoning Wisely: Ham can be quite salty, so it’s crucial to taste your soup before adding extra salt. It’s always easier to add more salt than to fix an overly salty dish. A good quality fresh ground black pepper makes a significant difference.
- Vegetarian Option: For a delicious vegetarian version, simply omit the ham and use vegetable broth instead of water. You can add smoked paprika or liquid smoke for a subtle smoky flavor, and perhaps some sautéed mushrooms for extra umami.
- Storage and Freezing: Split pea soup stores beautifully! It will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It also freezes exceptionally well. Portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat gently on the stovetop, adding extra liquid as needed.
- Serving Suggestions: While a meal in itself, split pea soup pairs wonderfully with crusty bread for dipping, a fresh side salad, or even a grilled cheese sandwich for the ultimate comfort food experience.
This hearty soup is more than just sustenance; it’s a bowl full of tradition and flavor, perfect for gathering the family around the table.
We hope you enjoy preparing and sharing this classic Split Pea Soup recipe as much as we do. If you try it, please let us know your thoughts and any personal touches you added in the comments below!
More of Our Favorite Hearty Soup Recipes:
- Hearty Ham and Bean Soup
- Cream of Asparagus Soup
- Healthy Vegetable Soup
- Crockpot Creamy Cauliflower Soup
- Italian Sausage Tomato Orzo Soup
- Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Soup
Split Pea Soup
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 16 ounces green split peas (1 bag) (1 lb/454 grams)
- 2 quarts water
- 1 ½ pounds ham diced (butt portion recommended for leaner meat)
- 2 medium yellow onions thinly sliced
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt optional, add to taste after ham has cooked, depending on its saltiness
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper (1/4-1/2 teaspoon or a pepper medley)
- 2 dried bay leaves whole
- ¼ teaspoon dried marjoram leaves
- 3 stalks celery chopped
- 3 medium carrots (about 13 oz), ends trimmed, peeled and chopped
- 1 medium potato (about 9 oz), diced
Before You Begin
- You can soak the peas overnight if you wish to slightly speed up the cooking time, as this helps them break down faster. However, I’ve found it’s not strictly necessary for achieving a delicious, creamy soup.
- If your carrots have clean, unblemished skins, you can skip peeling them. Just ensure they are thoroughly washed and the ends are neatly trimmed.
- If you have a ham bone from your ham, adding it to the pot from the very beginning will infuse the soup with incredible depth and flavor. You can include it when you add the diced ham, allowing it to simmer and enrich the broth, then remove it before serving.
Instructions
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In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, combine 2 quarts of water, dried green split peas, thinly sliced onions, diced ham, bay leaves, fresh ground pepper, and the optional marjoram. Stir all ingredients to ensure they are well mixed. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Allow the soup to simmer for 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
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After the initial 1 1/2 hour simmer, carefully remove and discard the bay leaves. Add the chopped carrots, diced potatoes, and chopped celery to the pot. Stir thoroughly to combine all the vegetables with the soup. Bring the soup to a boil once more, then reduce the heat back to a simmer. Continue to cook for another half hour, or until the newly added vegetables are tender. Towards the end of this cooking time, if you prefer a thinner consistency, you can optionally add 2-4 cups of additional water, chicken broth, or vegetable broth. Remember to taste and adjust salt levels if you add more liquid, especially if using water, as the ham will likely have provided ample seasoning.
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Once all the vegetables are tender and the peas have broken down to create a creamy texture, taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot and enjoy your homemade, hearty split pea soup!
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.