15 Best Split Pea Soup Recipes • Heartbeet Kitchen (2024)

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By Amanda Paa – Updated October 18, 2023

5 from 2 votes

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These are the best split pea soup recipes, in one spot! Whether you’re looking for the classic version with ham, a slow cooker split pea soup, or a vegetarian twist, you’ll find it here. And if you’re only cooking for two, I’ve included an easy, small batch split pea soup.

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Comfort is a bowl of warm, homemade split pea soup. It’s hearty, healthy, and exactly what I crave in winter. I especially love the rich, smoky flavors from the split peas simmering with a ham hock, or smoked paprika if you’re making it vegetarian.

Split pea soup is also budget friendly, made from mostly pantry ingredients!

In the list below, you’ll find classic split pea soup, instant pot and slow cooker split pea soup techniques, and delicious vegetarian split pea soup recipes!

What are split peas?

Split peas are the same green peas you might buy in the frozen section, or see at the farmers market in the summer – except they’re shelled, dried, and then split in half along the natural seam of the pea. This splitting process is what makes them faster to cook (no soaking needed!), ultimately making split pea soup a perfect weeknight dinner.

How to Store Split Pea Soup

  • Refrigerator:Leftovers will keep for 5 days in the refrigerator, stored in a covered container.
  • Freezer:Most split pea soups are freezer friendly and freeze well for 2 – 3 months. To freeze, let cool completely and store in freezer safe containers, leaving ½ inch head space for expansion. Reheat:Simply re-warm on the stovetop over low heat until warmed through. If using a microwave, do so in 30 to 60 second intervals, stirring after each, until warm.

Below you’ll find my favorite, tried and true split pea soup. It’s hearty, while still being healthy, and made with real food ingredients.

You can use diced ham, but I prefer simmering a ham shank in the soup, so that it can infuse a lovely smokiness while it simmers. Then you can shred the ham off the bone and add back to the soup.

This recipe is perfect if you’re a household of 2 like we are, as it makes enough for 2 main meals. The leftovers are delicious! The flavor deepens even more.

And you can plan the rest of your week with one of these gluten-free dinner recipes!

15 Best Split Pea Soup Recipes • Heartbeet Kitchen (2)

1

Stovetop Split Pea Soup with Ham

This easy-to-make split pea soup is cozy, comforting, and full of fantastic flavor. The ham adds smokiness, while the split peas and vegetables are the stars. The soup freezes well, too!

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15 Best Split Pea Soup Recipes • Heartbeet Kitchen (3)

2

Flavorful Vegetarian Split Pea Soup

Topped with sour cream and an herb sauce, this vegetarian version of split pea soup stands out. Vegetables and aromatics, broth, and split peas, are cooked until tender and then pureed in all or part.

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15 Best Split Pea Soup Recipes • Heartbeet Kitchen (5)

4

Split Pea Soup {With Ham}

Loaded with nutritious veggies this Split Pea Soup is a classic that’s perfect for chilly days and weeknights that call for comfort food! It’s the best recipe for using leftover ham.

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15 Best Split Pea Soup Recipes • Heartbeet Kitchen (6)

5

Smoky Split Pea Soup

This creamy split pea soup is unique in that it uses white wine, and both ham and bacon to create mega flavor. Finishing it with a dollop of sour cream is the perfect contrast.

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15 Best Split Pea Soup Recipes • Heartbeet Kitchen (7)

6

Slow-Cooker Split Pea Soup with Garlicky Croutons

Fans of split pea soup will go crazy for bowls of this version that requires almost no hands-on time. Ifyou have leftovers, even better–it might just be tastier the next day once the flavors have melded.

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15 Best Split Pea Soup Recipes • Heartbeet Kitchen (8)

7

Instant Pot Split Pea Soup {Slow Cooker + Stovetop}

You can use a smoked ham hock, leftover ham bone, diced ham or bacon to make this Instant Pot Split Pea Soup recipe. It’s a simple and flavorful prep-ahead meal that reheats beautifully throughout the week.

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15 Best Split Pea Soup Recipes • Heartbeet Kitchen (9)

8

Split Pea Soup Recipe (Slow Cooker, Instant Pot)

This hearty, protein packed, split pea soup is made with tender split peas, smoky ham and fresh vegetables. Prep and cooking is made with easy with a slow cooker.

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15 Best Split Pea Soup Recipes • Heartbeet Kitchen (10)

9

Healthy Split Pea Soup

This split pea and ham soup slow cooker recipe couldn’t be any easier. You add all the ingredients to the slow cooker and then walk away while it cooks up one of the most fabulous, heart-warming soups you’ve eaten.

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15 Best Split Pea Soup Recipes • Heartbeet Kitchen (11)

10

Split Pea Soup with Smoked Turkey

This Split Pea Soup recipe uses a smoked turkey leg, perfect for Thanksgiving leftovers! You can also use a ham hock.

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15 Best Split Pea Soup Recipes • Heartbeet Kitchen (12)

11

Instant Pot Split Pea Soup (with ham OR vegetarian)

This is the quick and easy way to make split pea soup! If you want to make it vegetarian, use smoked paprika in place of smoked ham.

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15 Best Split Pea Soup Recipes • Heartbeet Kitchen (13)

12

Simple Vegetarian Split Pea Soup

This vegetarian split pea soup is made with just 5 ingredients, but has loads of flavor. Green split peas and onions cooked until tender, partially pureed, seasoned and flared out with toppings.

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15 Best Split Pea Soup Recipes • Heartbeet Kitchen (14)

13

Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Split Pea Soup

Add sweet potatoes to your split pea soup! This version is easy, creamy, with tons of flavor. I like the hefty amount of garlic this one calls for.

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15 Best Split Pea Soup Recipes • Heartbeet Kitchen (15)

14

Vegan Split Pea Soup

Vegan Split Pea Soup topped with crispy fried mushroom “bacon” is the comforting dinner you NEED in your life! It’s hearty, packed with nutritious ingredients, and makes great leftovers.

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15 Best Split Pea Soup Recipes • Heartbeet Kitchen (16)

15

A Very Good Vegan Split Pea Soup

Thick and hearty, this vegan split pea soup is filled with the usual mirepoix and medley of spices, plus added cabbage for extra heftiness and flavor. Includes slow cooker, Instant Pot + stovetop methods.

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15 Best Split Pea Soup Recipes • Heartbeet Kitchen (17)

15 Best Split Pea Soup Recipes, Vegetarian Too!

This homemade split pea soup is easy to make and the perfect hearty soup for colder months. Flavored with fresh herbs, and a classic smokiness from ham. Plus 14 other split pea soup recipes!

5 from 2 votes

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Prep Time :10 minutes minutes

Cook Time :1 hour hour

Total Time :1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes

Yield: 5 servings

Author: Amanda Paa

SCALE:

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 ounces diced onion (about 1 large)
  • 1/2 cup (2 ounces) diced carrot
  • 1/2 cup (2 ounces) diced celery
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 1/2 tablespoons)
  • 3/4 pound (12 ounces) dry green split peas
  • 1 (32 ounce) box chicken stock
  • 2 dried bay leaves
  • 3 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 small ham shank preferred, or 1 cup diced ham
  • 1/2 cup to 1 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • salt to taste

Instructions

  • In a stock pot, heat olive oil to medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery to pot with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook for 8-10 minutes until vegetables are softened and onions are translucent. Add garlic and split peas, and cook for 1 more minute.

  • Add chicken stock, bay leaves, thyme, and black pepper to the pot. Add ham shank. Bring soup to a boil, stir thoroughly then turn heat down to a simmer and cover.

  • Simmer, stirring occasionally. After 45 minutes of cooking, remove ham shank so that you can let lightly cool, then shred meat off the bone. Add meat to pot (if you are using diced ham, add it now), then simmer soup for another 10-15 minutes, until split peas have started to break apart, are very soft, and desired thickness of your soup has been reached, adding 1/2 to 1 cup water. When desired thickness is achieved, discard thyme sprigs and bay leaves. Stir in vinegar and Worcestershire sauce. Taste and adjust salt by 1/4 teaspoon increments if needed.

  • Serve with crusty bread or croutons!

  • Leftovers keep well in covered container in refrigerator for 4 days. When reheating, add water to loosen.

15 Best Split Pea Soup Recipes • Heartbeet Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

How do you make split pea soup taste better? ›

Using a Ham Bone:

Using a meaty, uncleaned ham bone is what gives this soup it's amazingly rich and savory flavor. If your ham bone is small, or you are using a ham bone substitute: Be prepared to add up to 4 chicken bouillon cubes to the broth to add more flavor if needed.

Is pea soup good for your heart? ›

Like their family members, split peas are a good source of protein and fiber, especially soluble fiber. They contain nutrients and compounds that support health and prevent chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, inflammation, osteoporosis and cancer.

Does split pea soup lower blood pressure? ›

Split peas also contain potassium which helps lower the blood pressure. High blood pressure or hypertension, too, contributes to causing heart disease. Furthermore, it contains an amino acid called tryptophan that helps your body produce serotonin which in turn regulates sleep and improves your mood.

How do you keep gas from split pea soup? ›

How do you make pea soup not gassy? Using Ayurvedic cooking methods, rinsing and soaking your peas before cooking, and eating them in a balanced meal help make pea soup not gassy.

How do you keep split pea soup from getting thick? ›

The starches and the gelatin will form a mesh when cooling, so the consistency of the pea-soup will always be thick when cold. On heating, do what Mien advised: add some water or broth to the soup to the consistency that you want.

Is pea soup good for your bowels? ›

Enclosed in a smooth fibrous pod, the inner spherical seeds of green peas contain a remarkable amount of bowel-stimulating dietary fiber. According to the USDA, 1 cup of cooked green peas contains 9 grams of dietary fiber, which is 32% of the Daily Value.

Does pea soup spike blood sugar? ›

Split pea soup is a classic comfort food with tasty, diabetic-friendly benefits. This heart-warming soup is rich in fiber and potassium with a thick and creamy texture sure to please. Leave out the potatoes and add plenty of chopped fresh celery, carrots, and onions for a belly-satisfying meal.

Is pea soup OK for kidneys? ›

Beans are in the legume family which includes dried lentils and split peas. Recent research shows the benefits of plant-based foods in the kidney diet. Beans are great for people with kidney disease to enjoy.

What happens if you eat too much split pea soup? ›

While green peas do not cause many problems, dried peas which are split peas, have these side effects. Too many split peas can cause gas buildup in the stomach and cause discomfort. However, taking split peas in regulated quantities can help avoid gastric problems.

Can I eat split pea soup everyday? ›

YES! Green split peas are super nutritious and healthy addition to a balanced diet. The high fiber and protein content of this soup will keep you full and satisfied. High in protein: Split green peas are a good source of plant-based protein, this soup has 27 grams per serving.

Should diabetics eat pea soup? ›

Certain foods, like split peas, benefit diabetics as they are low in glycemic index. So, pea soup with low carb content helps maintain stable blood sugar levels and ensures a consistent energy supply.

What is the difference between split pea soup and pea soup? ›

Pea Variety: The main difference lies in the type of peas used. Split pea soup is typically made from dried split peas, while green pea soup is made from fresh or frozen green peas. Texture: Split pea soup has a thicker and heartier texture compared to green pea soup.

Why are my peas still hard in my pea soup? ›

If your split peas are hard after this length of cooking time, there is something wrong with the peas or with your water. If the peas are very old and dried out, they won't soften. And if the water you use for making the soup is hard with lots of dissolved minerals that can stop the peas from softening.

How do you spice up bland pea soup? ›

The common denominator will probably be meat (ham bones are common), more salt, and pepper to taste. If you want to take a shortcut, you could use bouillon cubes or paste to provide both meaty flavor and salt, though pork is a lot harder to find than chicken or beef. Salt and pepper you can just stir in.

How do you doctor up canned split pea soup? ›

Ham: make it extra hearty by adding some diced ham to your soup. Extra herbs: if you have a stocked spice cabinet, try adding some oregano and thyme to your soup, or extra black pepper. Potato: add a diced potato and simmer until the potatoes are soft to make this soup extra filling.

How do you spruce up canned split pea soup? ›

For a variation, add 1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon and 3 tablespoons of white wine to the soup instead of the garam masala. No ham on hand? Fry up some bacon and crumble it on top of the soup. A pale ale or an Alsatian gewurztraminer teams well with the spicy soup.

How can I improve the taste of my soup? ›

Use fresh vegetables, high-quality meats or broth, and fresh herbs to add depth of flavor. Add acidity: A squeeze of lemon or lime juice, a dash of vinegar, or a splash of wine can brighten the flavors of a soup and make it taste more complex.

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