Hearty Split Pea Soup

Nothing beats a bowl of classic split pea soup when you're craving comfort food. This recipe features tender ham, wholesome vegetables, and a blend of simple, savory seasonings.

Ingredients for Split Pea Soup

Here's what you'll need to create this highly-rated split pea soup recipe:

• Dried split peas: Find dried split peas on the dried beans and rice aisle.
• Cold water: You'll need two quarts of cold water for this soup.
• Ham bone: A ham bone is cooked with the peas, adding a wonderfully meaty flavor.
• Vegetables: You'll need two onions, three carrots, three celery stalks, and one potato.
• Spices and seasonings: This split pea soup recipe is seasoned with salt, black pepper, and dried marjoram.

How to Prepare Split Pea Soup

The full recipe is provided below, but here's a quick snapshot of what you'll experience while preparing this delicious homemade split pea soup:

1. Start by placing the split peas in a large stockpot and covering them with cold water; allow them to soak for approximately 1 hour.
2. Drain and rinse the peas, then add 2 quarts of fresh cold water, the ham bone, onions, and seasonings to the pot.
3. Bring everything to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for about 90 minutes.
4. Once cooked, remove the meat from the ham bone and return it to the pot.
5. Add the vegetables and continue cooking until they are tender.

How to Make Split Pea Soup Thicker

The potatoes will naturally thicken your split pea soup and give it a smooth, creamy texture. However, if you'd like it even thicker, you can add some heavy cream (which may change the flavor slightly) or a cornstarch slurry to achieve the desired consistency.

Cooking Tip

How to Store Leftover Split Pea Soup

Let the split pea soup cool down before transferring the leftovers into an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave when you're ready to enjoy it again.

Is Freezing Split Pea Soup Possible?

Yes, you can freeze split pea soup with ham for up to three months. After allowing the soup to cool, pour it into zip-top bags, leaving about an inch of space at the top for expansion. Remove any excess air, seal the bag, wrap it in foil, and freeze it flat.

Dinogo Community Feedback and Tips

"I absolutely love this soup," says boriskarlof. "It's simple to make and so adaptable. I added a variety of herbs to make it taste just like my mom’s pea soup. She used a ham bone, and I used ham steaks, but the flavor was spot on."

"This is my ultimate favorite split pea soup recipe," exclaims JESSICA OKAL. "I’ve tried many recipes, but I always come back to this one. It’s also perfect for my pressure cooker."

"I’m so grateful this recipe is nearly identical to the one my mom used to make," shares Kurt Jeffers. "I never imagined a recipe could bring back such cherished memories from my childhood, but this one did."

Written by Corey Williams

Ingredients List

• 2 ¼ cups dried split peas, rinsed well

• 2 quarts cold water, plus more as needed

• 1 (1 ½ pound) ham bone

• 2 onions, thinly sliced

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

• 1 pinch dried marjoram

• 3 stalks celery, chopped

• 3 carrots, chopped

• 1 potato, diced

Instructions

Begin by gathering all the necessary ingredients.

Place the peas in a large stockpot and cover them with several inches of cold water. Let them soak for anywhere from 1 hour to overnight. After soaking, drain and rinse the peas, then return them to the pot.

Add 2 quarts of cold water, the ham bone, onion, salt, pepper, and marjoram to the stockpot. Cover, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 ½ hours, stirring occasionally.

Remove the ham bone, trim off the meat, dice it, and return the diced meat to the soup.

Add the celery, carrots, and potatoes to the pot.

Cook uncovered over low heat until the vegetables become tender, about 30 to 40 minutes.

Serve and savor your meal!

Nutritional Information (per serving)