Hearty Split Pea Soup (Print Version)

Comforting split pea and vegetable soup with savory herbs, perfect for cozy fall dinners.

# What You 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)

# Preparation 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. Cook 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 it.
03 - Add diced potato, split peas, bay leaf, thyme, black pepper, smoked paprika, and ham hock (if using). Pour in broth and stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
04 - Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered for 1–1.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until peas are completely tender and soup has thickened nicely.
05 - Remove ham hock if used, shred meat from bone, and return shredded meat to pot. Discard bay leaf.
06 - Taste and adjust salt as needed. For smoother texture, lightly mash some peas with spoon or use immersion blender for partial puree.
07 - Ladle hot soup into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Its practically foolproof, even if you are the kind of cook who forgets things on the stove
  • The leftovers actually taste better the next day, which feels like cheating
  • One pot makes enough to feed you through a whole week of cozy evenings
02 -
  • This soup will continue to thicken as it sits, which is completely normal and actually how it should be
  • If you are planning to freeze portions, leave out the potato or it will become strangely mealy upon thawing
  • The ham hock is worth seeking out at a proper butcher counter rather than settling for what supermarkets stock
03 -
  • Rinse your split peas in a fine mesh sieve until the water runs clear
  • A splash of apple cider vinegar added near the end can brighten the whole pot

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