And the most underrated pulse award goes to…split peas! Seriously, other than the occasional pot of soup, most people don’t experience the joy of these little green guys regularly in their lives.
Just like all the other pulses out there (pulses include dry peas, chickpeas, lentils, and beans.), split peas are a super affordable, delicious, sustainable, protein-packed source of fiber. But unlike their more finicky cousins, chickpeas and dried beans, split peas require NO presoaking or precooking, meaning they cook up in a FLASH. Woohoo for weeknight shortcuts!
No. Split peas, like lentils, do not need to be soaked before cooking. Beans require soaking prior to cooking, but because these are peas they can be used directly in the recipe. It is still a good idea to rinse your peas thoroughly before cooking to remove any dirt particles.
Do I need to soak split peas before cooking them?
Nope, split peas cook up super quickly, even without soaking. If you tend to have digestive issues with beans and lentils, you might benefit from a split pea presoak, though. Just place the dried split peas in a large bowl and cover with cold water. Let soak at room temperature over night. When it’s time to cook, drain and rinse the split peas before cooking.
Basic Cooked Split Peas RecipeYield:
Split peas are most often cooked in another recipe (like Split Pea and Ham soup), but you can also cook split peas “straight” for use in salads or other dishes.
- 2/3 cup dried split peas
- 1 1/2 cups water, vegetable broth, chicken broth, or bone broth
- Salt, to taste
- Pour the dried split peas into a bowl or tray, and pick through looking for any debris. Then rinse the split peas well in a fine-mesh sieve.
- Add the split peas to a pot with your preferred cooking liquid—water, vegetable broth, and bone broth are all good options.
- Bring to a boil over high heat, stir, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer until the split peas are tender, but not mushy and most of the liquid is absorbed. about 20 minutes.
- Remove from heat, and season with salt to taste.
At Wholefully, we believe that good nutrition is about much more than just the numbers on the nutrition facts panel. Please use the above information as only a small part of what helps you decide what foods are nourishing for you.
Why Won’t My Split Peas Get Soft?
FAQ
What happens if you don’t soak split peas?
What happens if you dont soak dried peas?
Why do split peas need to be soaked?
Do split peas need to be soaked?
Soaking helps to soften the peas, which makes them easier to cook and reduces the cooking time. To soak dried split peas, simply rinse them in a colander and place them in a bowl. Cover them with water and let them soak for at least 4-6 hours or overnight. Drain the soaking water and rinse the peas before using them in your recipe.
Are peas good for weight loss?
Green peas are relatively low in calories and packed with fiber and protein, they are a great option for weight-loss diets. Peas are known as pulses and are in the same group as beans, chickpeas, and lentils. Peas can support weight loss efforts because of their protein and fiber content and their effect on fullness. Similar to oatmeal, pulses contain soluble fiber that can slow down digestion, while eating protein leads to the release of hormones that signal fullness. There are many types of peas including green peas, snow peas, and sugar snap peas and they all belong in a healthy, vegetable-rich diet.
What are the disadvantages of soaking dried split peas?
However, there are certain drawbacks to this technique. The most significant disadvantage of soaking dried split peas is that it can result in losing some of the important nutrients. When you soak the peas, the phytic acid and other phytates begin to break down, which in turn reduces the nutritious value of the peas.
How long does it take to cook split peas without soaking?
If you don’t soak the split peas before cooking, it could take anywhere between 60-90 minutes for them to become tender. To cook dried split peas without soaking, simply rinse them in cold water and add them to a pot with enough water to cover them by at least 2 inches.