Split pea soup is a hearty recipe that’s incredibly easy to make. Pea soup is one of my favorite recipes to make using leftover ham. Filled with split peas, ham, spices and other healthy vegetables, this classic soup is the perfect comfort food.
This recipe is a perfect way to use up any leftover Ham from a holiday meal. Some of my other favorite recipes to make with ham are Hawaiian Ham Sandwiches, Ham and Potato Casserole and these Monte Cristo Sandwiches.
Split Pea and Ham Soup
I grew up thinking Split Pea Soup was something one should gag on, and I always turned it down. The color made my stomach churn, even though I actually enjoyed eating peas. Fast forward several years, and I attended an event that was serving, you guessed it, split pea soup for lunch. I almost wasn’t a grown up that day and just about turned it down and missed out on this amazing soup.
You guys this soup is actually really incredible! What really makes this recipe pop is the flavor of the ham mixed with the peas. This is one of my favorite meals to make with all of the ham that’s leftover after a holiday meal. I know this may sound crazy but when I see the pile of ham leftover after dinner, I get so excited for all of the yummy recipes I get to make with it.
What Are Split Peas
They are peas taken from the field and then dried, peeled and split in half. There are two varieties of split peas that you will find; green and yellow. Split peas are a healthy vegetable that are a great source of protein and fiber but are also low in fat. While you should rinse them before cooking with them, they don’t need to be soaked prior to using them.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Split peas
- Water
- Ham shank (this is the leftover bone with meat attached from your holiday ham)
- Onion
- Chicken bouillon
- Garlic powder
- Oregano
- Pepper
- Bay leaf
- Carrots
- Celery
How To Make Split Pea Soup
Before I made this recipe for the first time, I was really intimidated to make it. For some reason, I thought it would be really difficult to make. I have never been so wrong about a recipe before. This really split pea soup recipe really couldn’t be any easier.
Prep – Start by washing and then chopping the celery, carrots and onions into small bite-sized pieces.
Compile – Combine all of the ingredients into a large pot and give it a good stir to mix everything together.
Cook – Bring the pot to a simmer and let the pea soup simmer for about 90 minutes
Trim – Carefully remove the ham shank from the pot and trim the meat from the bone. Return all of the meat back into the pot.
Keep Cooking – Continue to simmer everything for an additional 2 – 2 1/2 hours or until the soup reaches your desired thickness. Once it’s ready, remove it from the heat and serve it.
How To Make Split Pea Soup In A Crock Pot
If time is on your side and you want to make this recipe even easier, you can make it in a slow cooker as well. Simply place all of the ingredients in the crock pot and make these few small adjustments.
Compile – Place all of the ingredients into the slow cooker.
Ham – You’ll want to add the ham bone last so that it stays near the top of the slow cooker.
Heat – Cook the split pea soup using the low setting for about 5-6 hours.
Trim – Carefully take the ham bone out of the crock pot. Then cut the ham from the bone and put the ham back in the slow cooker.
Stir – Mix it back into the pea soup and then it’s ready to serve.
Can You Freeze Split Pea Soup
Freezing – Yes, you can definitely freeze this recipe and eat it later. In fact, this recipe yields quite a bit of soup, so I always freeze some for later. Just make sure the soup has completely cooled before putting it in the freezer. You can store it the freezer for up to 3 months. Just be sure to mark the date on the container before putting it in the freezer.
Freezing Tip – Here’s a quick tip that makes freezing soup easy and practical. I put my leftovers in freezer safe 16 oz deli containers so I only have to thaw the amount I plan to use the next day. These are perfect to take to work the next day for lunch. Let the soup defrost in the freezer overnight and then warm it up when you’re ready to use it.
Vegetarian Split Pea Soup
This pea soup can easily be made into a vegetarian friendly recipe. Simply remove the ham from the ingredients and replace the chicken bouillon cubes and broth with vegetable bouillon and broth and you’re all set.
More Easy Soup Recipes
- Crock Pot Lentil Soup
- Albondigas Soup
- Zuppa Toscana Soup Recipe
- Crock Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
- Chorizo and Black Bean Soup
Go ahead, give this delicious recipe a try. Leave us a comment below and let us know how much you enjoyed this pea soup with ham or tag us on social media after you make it because we love to see what you’ve been up to in the kitchen!
Split Pea Soup Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
On The Stove
- Chop the celery, carrots and onions
- Place all of the ingredients into a large pot
- Simmer the ingredients for 90 minutes
- Remove the ham shank and cut the meat from the bone
- Put the meat back into the pot and stir
- Continue simmering for an additional 2 - 2 1/2 hours or until the soup reaches your desired thickness
In A Crock Pot
- Put ingredients in the crock pot
- Place the ham bone in last
- Cook on low for 5-6 hours
- Cut ham off the bone and return it to the slow cooker
- Mix in the ham and serve
Fantastic recipe! I just love a good crock pot soup recipe so I don’t have to do much work. Absolutely delicious and super easy, thanks!
You’re so welcome!
This soup is so good! I don’t make enough, so thanks for reminding me to make it more! I forgot how delicious it is!
I’m so glad you loved it!
I can’t believe I have never had this soup before. It looks and sounds amazing!!!
We love split pea soup and this recipe is one of our favorites!
Thanks, so glad you love it!
One of my mom’s favorites!! Thanks!
You bet…I hope you guys love it!
Love how easy and delicious this soup was to make! My kids asked for seconds!
Oh good! You know it’s a success when the kids ask for more.:)
THis is perfect for tonight! We’ve been looking for a new soup
Thanks! Let me know how it turns out.