Best Split Pea Soup Recipe with Ham
The Best Split Pea Soup Recipe – just like mom used to make! This classic comfort food is packed with veggies, ham, and warm seasonings for an easy cold-weather meal.
The Best Split Pea Soup Recipe
Admittedly, my mom didn’t make ham and split pea soup growing up. I first had it at a church potluck thanks to my friend, Sonia. Needless to say, I soon understood why this is such a classic recipe.
I was hooked from the first bite and immediately asked her for her recipe! As with all the best meals, Sonia measured her soup ingredients with her heart and claimed that she made variations every time she cooked.
However, she gave me the bare bones, and after lots of testing, I was able to come up with and write down specific ingredients and instructions to share with all of you! You can thank me later. Ha! Whether you grew up eating split pea soup or are new to it like I was, I know you’re going to love this recipe.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Below is an overview of the ingredients and instructions to make the best split pea soup recipe. Please be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below for the complete details!
- Veggies – Carrots, onion, and celery create a delicious, savory, sweet flavor base and add tons of nutrients to the soup.
- Dried Split Peas – The star of the show! Use dried green split peas.
- Herbs and Spices – A bay leaf, garlic powder, dried dill, salt, and pepper enhance the savoriness of the soup and add a delicious herbaceous taste.
- Stock – Use chicken stock or vegetable stock, opting for low-sodium varieties if possible.
- Ham – We make a big pot of this split pea soup recipe with ham every year after the holidays! It’s the perfect way to use up leftovers, but any cooked ham like ham shank, ham steak, or diced baked ham will work.
Helpful Tools
How to Make Split Pea Soup with Ham
- Boil. Add the split peas, veggies, bay leaves, garlic powder, stock, and water to a large pot. Cover with a lid, and bring the liquid to a boil.
- Simmer. Reduce the heat to a simmer, and let the soup cook with the lid slightly ajar until the soup thickens.
- Cool. Turn off the burner, and let the soup cool and thicken to your desired consistency.
- Combine. Remove the bay leaves. Then, stir in the diced ham, dried dill, salt, and pepper. Adjust the seasonings to taste, and enjoy warm with a slice of crusty bread!
Tips and Variations
- Feel free to add potatoes to make your soup even heartier.
- Use red lentils in place of split peas.
- Swap the ham with shredded chicken, leftover turkey, or crumbled turkey bacon.
- Make a vegetarian split pea soup by omitting the ham and using vegetable stock.
- Simmer the soup over medium-low heat until it thickens. Or, use an immersion blender to puree part of the peas for a creamier consistency.
- Add more stock if the soup is too thick for your liking.
Common Questions
You can store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep in mind that it will thicken as it cools. So, add more stock as needed to thin it back out.
Yes! Once cool, you can transfer leftovers to freezer-safe containers, and freeze them for up to 3 months. It will expand as it freezes. So, make sure to leave space at the top!
Taw in the fridge overnight. Then, reheat individual portions in the microwave. Or, warm a large batch in a pot over medium heat on the stove, adding more stock as needed to thin it back out.
Nope! They will soften and become tender as the soup simmers.
More Delicious Soup Recipes
Best Split Pea Soup Recipe with Ham
Ingredients
- 2 cups dried green split peas or a 1lb bag
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 carrots, peeled & chopped
- 3 celery, chopped
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder or 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 4 cups water
- 3-4 cups leftover ham, chopped (or 12 slices cooked and crumbled turkey bacon)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon dried dill, more if desired
Instructions
- Place the split peas, onion, carrots, celery, onion, bay leaves, garlic, broth and water in a large pot. Cover and bring to a boil.2 cups dried green split peas, 1 onion, diced, 3 carrots, peeled & chopped, 3 celery, chopped, 2 bay leaves, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth, 4 cups water
- Once boiling, reduce the heat and simmer with lid ajar for 2-3 hours or until desired thickness. The split peas will break down and the soup will become thick. The soup continues to thicken as it cools. Turn off the burner.
- Remove the bay leaves and discard. Add in the ham, salt, and pepper, and dried dill. Stir until combined and adjust the seasonings, if necessary.3-4 cups leftover ham, chopped, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon dried dill, more if desired
- Store the soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The soup thickens as it cool, feel free to add more broth or water once reheated.
Notes
Nutrition
Did you enjoy this Split Pea Soup Recipe? We’d love it if you left a rating and review to let us know, and don’t forget to tag us in your recreations on Instagram!
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!