Hearty Split Pea Soup (Printable)

A comforting, rich soup with split peas, vegetables, and herbs—ideal for warming up on chilly days.

# What You'll Need:

→ Legumes

01 - 2 cups dried split peas, rinsed and picked over

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 large onion, diced
03 - 2 medium carrots, diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, diced
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 medium Yukon gold potato, peeled and diced

→ Meats

07 - 1 smoked ham hock or 8 oz diced smoked ham (omit for vegetarian/vegan version)

→ Liquids

08 - 8 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
09 - 1 bay leaf

→ Spices & Seasonings

10 - 1 tsp dried thyme
11 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
12 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
13 - 1 tsp salt (to taste, add more as needed)

→ Optional Finishes

14 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
15 - 1 tbsp olive oil (for sautéing)

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, celery, and a pinch of salt. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add the diced potato, split peas, bay leaf, thyme, black pepper, smoked paprika, and ham hock (if using). Pour in the broth and stir to combine.
04 - Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered for 1-1.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until peas are tender and soup has thickened.
05 - Remove the ham hock (if used), shred any meat, and return it to the pot. Discard the bay leaf.
06 - Taste and adjust salt as needed. For a smoother texture, lightly mash some of the peas with a spoon or use an immersion blender for a partially pureed soup.
07 - Ladle into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The way your house will smell like a cozy restaurant all afternoon
  • How incredibly filling it is without weighing you down afterward
02 -
  • This soup continues to thicken as it sits, so dont panic if it looks thinner than you expected initially
  • The ham hock needs time to work its magic, so resist the urge to rush the simmering process
03 -
  • A splash of lemon juice right before serving brightens the whole bowl
  • Rinse your split peas thoroughly to catch any small stones or debris

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