Split Pea Soup – This savory ham and split pea soup recipe is the perfect comfort food! Plus, it’s easy to make on the stove, in the slow cooker, or Instant Pot! (Gluten Free + Dairy Free)
This humble greenish soup looks, well, pretty humble. But don’t be fooled by its appearance! Split pea soup is a classic for a reason: it’s delicious! It’s the perfect hearty soup for making after the holidays (using up a hame bone!), or warming you up on a chilly day. (Seriously, so good on a snowy or rainy day!)
And, ironically, it doesn’t taste strongly of peas! Instead, this slow-simmered soup has a delicious, hearty flavor that will warm you up in your bones.
This traditional soup, made from organic split peas and veggies, gets a delicate lift in flavor from basil, garlic and spices. Gluten free/dairy free/lactose free/soy free/corn free/tree nut free/vegan/kosher/plant based (Light in Sodium also available.)
SPEED THINGS UP! HERE’S HOW TO COOK SPLIT PEA SOUP IN A SLOW COOKER OR INSTANT POT.
Sometimes, you need something quicker or more hands-off, and the Instant Pot and Slow Cooker are here to the rescue!
HOW TO MAKE INSTANT POT SPLIT PEA SOUP:
- Make instant pot split pea soup by pressing SAUTÉ, then adding your olive oil, onions, celery, and carrots and cooking 5-10 minutes in the Instant Pot until tender.
- Add the garlic and cook 30-60 seconds more, just until fragrant.
- Press CANCEL, and add your ham, split peas, and broth/water.
- Set the steam vent to SEALING, then press PRESSURE COOK (manual) and cook for 15 minutes.
- Manually release the pressure about 10-15 minutes, then quick release the remaining steam.
- Stir and remove the ham bone (if using), shredding in any ham.
HOW TO MAKE SLOW COOKER SPLIT PEA SOUP:
- For slow cooker split pea soup, instead of sautéing your ingredients, you’ll just “dump and go.”
- Place everything (you can skip the olive oil) in the slow cooker and cover with the lid.
- Cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or LOW 7-8 hours, until the peas are very tender.
- Remove the ham bone (if using) and shred off any ham into the soup. Stir and serve!
FAQ + TIPS & TRICKS FOR THE BEST SPLIT PEA SOUP.
WHAT KIND OF HAM DO YOU USE FOR SPLIT PEA SOUP? I prefer bone-in ham because of the flavor (+bone broth benefits). I look for nitrate-free, naturally cured smoked ham so there aren’t a lot of additives and preservatives. Trader Joe’s, Sprouts, and Thrive Market are great places to look. If you don’t have bone-in ham, look for nitrate-free, uncured ham. (Niman Ranch 8oz. ham steaks are at Sprouts for a great price.) Or, you can get super old-fashioned and use ham hocks.
A TIP FOR REHEATING SPLIT PEA SOUP. Especially if you’ve used bone-in ham, this soup thickens quite a bit when refrigerated. It’ll look kind of crazy, but will reheat very well. Just scoop it into your bowl and microwave with a splash of water or reheat on the stove with a little water to loosen it up, if needed.
CAN I MAKE SPLIT PEA SOUP IN A SLOW COOKER? You absolutely can! I’ve got full instructions in the section above or in the notes of the recipe card below.
CAN I MAKE SPLIT PEA SOUP IN AN INSTANT POT? You bet! Scroll up to the last section for full instructions or see the notes in the recipe card
CAN YOU FREEZE SPLIT PEA SOUP? Yes! Split pea soup freezes really well. I like to scoop it in 2-cup or 4-cup portions in freezer-safe bags, then lay them flat on a plate or sheet pan to freeze. When they’re frozen flat, you can store them more easily and they’ll thaw more quickly when you’re ready to use them. Just thaw in the refrigerator and warm them up on the stove when you’re ready to eat it!
SPLIT PEA SOUP | the classic recipe you know and love!
FAQ
Does split pea have gluten?
Does pea and ham soup contain gluten?
Is Campbell’s split pea and ham soup gluten free?
Can you buy gluten free split peas?
Are split peas gluten free?
Split pea soup is such a great comfort food! I would ask that you add “Gluten Free” split peas to your ingredient list to reinforce that not all packages of dried split peas are gluten free.
Are peas high in protein?
Peas are a great vegetarian or vegan protein source. Per 100g of peas, it contains 5g of protein. This is not necessarily high in protein because if compared to something like chicken, there is 27g of protein per 100g. Peas do contain protein but are not necessarily high in protein.
Is split pea soup vegan?
This split pea soup is flavorful, thick, creamy, and comforting. It may not be exactly traditional since it’s vegan, but it’s the perfect soup for the chilly winter season! This split pea soup is vegan (dairy-free, egg-free), grain-free (gluten-free), soy-free, and nut-free. You know how I love my legumes! They’re so versatile and inexpensive.
Can you eat split pea soup as an appetizer?
Remove the thyme stems and the bay leaf before serving. Soups are typically considered appetizers and, of course, this split pea soup can be an appetizer. However, it’s so filling that it can easily serve as a main course. Also, since it’s so high in protein and fiber, it is a fully balanced meal.