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!
The peas are spherical when harvested, with an outer skin. The peas are dried and the dull-coloured outer skin of the pea removed, then split in half by hand or by machine at the natural split in the seed’s cotyledon. There are green and yellow varieties of split pea.
Can I cook them in the Instant Pot?
Sure can! The Instant Pot makes even quicker work of split peas, although the Instant Pot is quite a powerful tool and tends to make split peas go a little mushy and shapeless.
- 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 the Instant Pot with your preferred cooking liquid—water, vegetable broth, and bone broth are all good options.
- Set the Instant Pot to high pressure for 7 minutes. Let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes before venting.
How do I cook split peas?
Split peas are typically cooked in something—like a soup—but split peas can also be cooked solo for adding into salads or putting in as part of an awesome grain bowl. Here’s the method:
- 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. It should take about 20 minutes.
Dried Green Peas – Whole vs Split: A Comparison
FAQ
How are dried split peas made?
How do you split whole dried peas?
Are dried split peas rinsed and sorted?
What is the difference between whole dried peas and split peas?
Can you cook dried split peas?
Split peas are a versatile and nutritious ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. Whether you want to make a hearty soup or a flavorful side dish, cooking dried split peas is a simple and satisfying process.
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 is a dried split pea?
Dried split peas are the same as regular green peas that you might have as a side dish for dinner. The difference comes in how they are processed. Instead of eating them fresh, split peas are shelled, dried, and then split in half along the natural seam of the pea—this splitting process is what makes them faster to cook.
How do you clean split peas?
Rinse – Put the split peas in a sieve and run under cool water to remove any discolored peas, debris, or impurities. Alternatively, put your split peas in a medium-sized bowl, and fill it with water. Agitate the peas with your hand and remove any broken peas or impurities. Discard the water if it runs dirty, and repeat until the water runs clean.