Hearty Split Pea Soup (Printable)

Rich, warming soup with split peas, vegetables, and savory herbs—perfect for cold weather comfort.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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)

# Steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, celery, and a pinch of salt. Sauté for 5–7 minutes until softened and fragrant.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
03 - Add diced potato, rinsed split peas, bay leaf, dried thyme, black pepper, smoked paprika, and ham hock (if using). Pour in broth and stir everything to combine thoroughly.
04 - Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered for 1–1.5 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until peas are completely tender and soup has thickened nicely.
05 - Remove ham hock if used. Shred meat from bone and return to pot. Discard bay leaf.
06 - Taste soup and adjust salt as needed. For smoother texture, lightly mash some peas against side of pot or use immersion blender for partial puree.
07 - Ladle hot soup into bowls, garnish with fresh chopped parsley, and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Most of the cooking time is hands-off simmering, leaving you free to do other things
  • The soup tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep
  • Everything comes together in one pot, which means less cleanup later
02 -
  • The soup will continue to thicken as it cools, so do not worry if it looks thin while simmering
  • Dried split peas do not need soaking, but rinse them thoroughly to remove dust
  • If you forget to pull the bay leaf earlier, just warn everyone before they start eating
03 -
  • Use a heavy-bottomed pot to prevent the soup from scorching on the bottom
  • If the soup gets too thick, thin it with water rather than more broth to keep flavors balanced

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