Description
At its most fundamental level, split pea soup with ham is a thick, slow-simmered, leguminous soup crafted from dried green split peas, a mirepoix of aromatic vegetables, savory liquid broth, and rich pork meat. Unlike fresh garden peas, which are sweet, tender, and eaten as a light side vegetable, split peas are field peas grown specifically for drying. Once harvested, the outer skin is removed, and the seed naturally splits in half along its seam. This splitting process allows the dried pulse to break down rapidly during the simmering process, completely dissolving into a thick, luxurious, and smooth texture without requiring any flour, cornstarch, or artificial cream thickeners.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) dried green split peas, rinsed
- 1 ham hock (about 1–1½ lb / 450–680 g) or 2 cups diced cooked ham
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt, or to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery and cook for 5–7 minutes until softened.
- Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Add the split peas, ham hock, broth, bay leaf, thyme, and black pepper.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and cover partially.
- Simmer for 60–90 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the peas are soft and the soup is thick.
- Remove the ham hock. Shred the meat, discard the skin and bone, and return the meat to the soup. If using diced cooked ham, stir it in during the last 15 minutes.
- Season with salt to taste and remove the bay leaf.
- Garnish with parsley and serve hot.
Notes
For extra flavor, add a splash of lemon juice or a little smoked paprika just before serving. The soup also thickens as it cools, so add a little broth when reheating if needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Simmer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: ~390 kcal
Keywords: green split pea soup with ham, crockpot split pea soup with ham hock, homemade ham and split pea soup