Split Pea Soup
Do you have any idea how difficult it was to photograph this Split Pea Soup recipe?! Ha!
Seriously, how do you make a thick green soup look as appetizing as it tastes?
It was not easy, my friends. Not easy AT ALL.
But I think I did it. F-I-N-A-L-L-Y.
This hearty Split Pea Soup recipe was passed down to me by my dear friend, Sonia.
We met years ago through church and have become forever friends. Kindred spirits you could say. She has since moved, but when we talk on rare occasions, it feels as if we were never apart.
Sonia (second lady from the right) and I were both part of a life group with 6 other young families from our church that met each week to share a meal and study God’s word.
Related Recipe: Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
As you can imagine, we all became very close and as we essentially ended up doing life together. Play dates, dinners, babysitting each other’s children, etc. I cherish those memories!
Every now and again, the 6 of us ladies enjoyed a night of preparing freezer meals together. We each took home 5 different family-friendly meals!
On one such evening, Sonia brought this already prepared soup in gallon bags and distributed one to each of us. She made the disclaimer, “I know this somewhat resembles the likes of what (ahem) us as mom’s of babies deal with several times a day, but trust me. It is my family’s favorite soup.”
Related Recipe: Cheeseburger Soup
Needless to say, I was intrigued…I had never eaten Split Pea Soup.
However, I knew that everything I had ever eaten of Sonia’s was delicious.
She was right, when we sat down to eat this delicious soup it tasted AHHHMAZING! She kindly gave me the “recipe”. I say “recipe” because it was more like “throw this in and if it doesn’t taste right add a little of this and, oh ya, you can leave that out if you want.”
It has taken me years to formulate my own recipe with actual measurements.
In all honestly, I have probably made it a little differently every single time. With that said, keep in mind- soups are so forgiving, so just try to do the best with what you have!
Looking for a hearty new #recipe that feeds the whole #family? Love this Split Pea Soup! Share on XThis dairy free soup can be made prepared vegetarian, by using vegetable stock and omitting the ham. Or if you don’t eat pork products, it tastes wonderful with cooked and crumbled turkey bacon. Sarah has even successfully used red lentils in place of the split peas.
As you can see, this soup is very forgiving.
Use what you have in your pantry and fridge. If you don’t have an ingredient, don’t stress! Omit it or add something else in its place.
I hope you all enjoy this gluten free Split Pea Soup as much as my family. I am certain it is my kid’s favorite soup…and I make a lot of soups!
Now, onto the fabulous recipe…
Split Pea Soup
Equipment
- large pot
Ingredients
- 3 carrots, peeled & chopped
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 celery, chopped
- 2 cups dried green split peas or a 1lb bag
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 4 cups stock (chicken or vegetable) (LOVE Kettle & Fire bone broth in this soup! "HappiHomemade" saves you 20%)
- 4 cups water
- 3-4 cups leftover ham, chopped (or 12 slices cooked and crumbled turkey bacon)
- 1/4 tsp dried dill (more if desired)
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- Place carrots, celery, onion, split peas, bay leaves, garlic powder, stock and water in a large pot. Cover and bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, reduce heat and simmer with lid ajar for 2-3 hours or until desired thickness. Turn off burner. The split peas will break down and the soup will become thick. The soup will thicken as it cools, you can always add more liquid if it thickens too much.
- Remove bay leaves and discard. Add in chopped ham, dried dill, salt, and pepper. Stir and enjoy! Adjust the seasonings to your liking, if necessary.
We have made this so many times and always love it!
I had some leftover ham from thanksgiving, so I figured what better way to use it than in a delicious soup. This came out amazing and was super easy! Thanks!
That is so great to hear, Diana! Thanks for taking the time to stop by and share your delicious recipe experience 🙂 You have me craving this soup now!It has been a few months since I last made it. Blessings to you!
I love split pea soup and can relate to the struggle of pinning down a recipe. Thanks for sharing at the Healthy Living Link Party!
Blessings, Leigh
Isn’t that tough as a blogger? We all cook all the time, but most of the time our best recipes aren’t actually a recipe. Thanks girl for making me feel a little more normal. 😉
My husband would love this! Split pea soup is his favorite! I’m going to pin to make soon. So glad you linked up at You Link It, We Make It! Hope to see you back tomorrow!
I can’t wait to hear what you both think of this soup! We will be “seeing” you soon 🙂
Pea soup had to be incredibly difficult to photograph – major kudos to you for making it look so delicious! I LOVE pea soup and I’m pinning this one! Thanks so much for linking up with us at You Link It, We Make it!
You are TOO sweet, Kim! Thank you so much for those kind words. I am currently jonesing for a bowl of soup as it has been snowing…it’s spring people. Let there be sunshine 😉
Delicious spilt pea soup, Sami, Love to try it, thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop, pinning and tweeting.
Split Pea Soup is one of my all time favorites! I am really looking forward to trying your recipe, Pinned & tweeted 🙂 Thank you for sharing at the Sunday Fitness & Food Link-Up, have a Great Week!!
It’s nice to know there are others out there like me 😉 Some tend to be wary of this soup and it is such a shame! It’s so delicious 🙂 “See” you soon, Angela!
I love making split pea soup, but I’ve never tried it in the crock pot before. Now that I found your recipe, I’ll have to cook your version soon. You’re also so lucky to have forever friends who can grow with, along with your family. They’re such a lovely support system, aren’t they? Thanks so much for sharing this on #shinebloghop this week! This was such a lovely recipe 🙂
I’ve never tried it in the crockpot either! You’ll have to let me know how it goes 😉 Yes, friendships are a true blessing from God, especially these ladies that he placed in my life!
Oh, I love split pea soup! This looks gorgeous!
Thanks Courtney! Like I said, the struggle was real trying to photograph this particular soup. lol I SO appreciate the compliment 🙂 Blessings to you!!
I love Split Pea Soup, but haven’t made it in ages. Thanks for sharing on Creative K Kids Tasty Tuesdays.
Hi Audrey! I am so glad I could remind you to make this delicious soup again 🙂 Enjoy!
I love a good homemade split pea soup. This recipe sounds great, easy classic and delicious!
Yes, photographing soup is not easy !:):) You did a good job, though!
Pinning and stumbleing for later! Yum!
Thank you for feeling my pain trying to photograph this recipe 😉 Baked goods seem to be so much easier! Thanks for your kindness, Ilka!
Hi. I have been looking for a good split pea/lentil type soup. This does look good. I would most likely use my crock pot, and I think this would do great in one.
Just one question for your input; I don’t do pork. (I LOVE pork, but I have been struggling with a Biblical dilemma regarding it…) anyway…
I have wondered what to substitute for pork/bacon/ham in recipes like this where using some form of meat gives great flavor. got any ideas?
Hi Carol! I completely understand, my sister-in-law does not eat pork products either. I substitute turkey bacon when I know she will be eating it. I also really love the chicken sausages you can buy now such as Aidells, Applegate, or Al Fresco. They contain a lot of flavor and may pair well with this soup 🙂 Let us know what you try and how you liked it! Blessings to you!
Looks absolutely scrummy! I love pea soups, so will definitely try this one at some point! x
Scrummy? I love that word!!! I think it describes this soup perfectly. Thanks for stopping by, Jessica 🙂
Sammi, I love split pea soup! Will definitely make this recipe.
We are “two peas in a pod” aren’t we, Barb? I hope you enjoy my recipe. You’ll have to let me know your thoughts after you try it 🙂
This soup looks and sounds delicious. I love a good bowl of soup! x #RecipeoftheWeek
Thanks Kirsty! Yes, this soup makes a delish family dinner!
I love split pea soup. Love how green yours is, I usually use yellow split peas. I am a great fan of the add a bit of this and see how it tastes method of cooking
Oh, yellow split peas sound like a fun option to try as well 🙂 Sarah has used red lentils in place of green split peas! Thanks for stopping, Alison!