Easy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Cozy Dinners
Easy Split Pea Soup is the ultimate comfort food. After making it dozens of times, I’ve discovered the trick to a creamy, hearty soup that’s better than takeout. Keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Chicken Enchilada Soup and Easy Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Breasts.
Why This Easy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Cozy Dinners Is Pure Comfort
- Creamy and hearty texture
- Packed with flavor
- Better than takeout
- Easy and budget-friendly
What You'll Need for Easy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Cozy Dinners
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 lb green split peas
- 1 lb ham hocks or smoked ham bones
- 1 large onion
- 3 carrots
- 3 celery stalks
- 4 cloves garlic
- Salt
- Pepper
- Bay leaves
- Thyme
- Cumin
- Paprika
- Optional: Cream or milk
- Optional: Chopped parsley
- Optional: Crusty bread
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- Split peas: Rinse and pick over before using.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Pot — Saves time and energy → See on Amazon
- Immersion Blender — Makes blending soup easy → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Cozy Dinners
- Step 1: Rinse and pick over split peas. Combine peas, ham hocks, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, salt, pepper, bay leaves, thyme, cumin, and paprika in a large pot. Cover with water and bring to a boil.
- Step 2: Reduce heat, cover, and let simmer for 45-60 minutes, or until peas are tender. Remove ham hocks and shred meat, then return to pot.
- Step 3: Use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup until it reaches your desired consistency. Stir in cream or milk, if desired.
- Step 4: Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot with chopped parsley and crusty bread on the side.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Cozy Dinners
- : For a smoother soup, blend until mostly smooth, but leave some texture for heartiness.
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the peas or they'll become mushy. If this happens, blend the soup more to regain a smoother texture.
- : For a vegetarian version, omit ham hocks and use vegetable broth instead of water.
Storing & Reheating Easy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Cozy Dinners
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: Soup can be made ahead and reheated.
Freezing Easy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Cozy Dinners
Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a diced jalapeño.
- Best substitution: Lentils can be substituted for split peas.
- Make-ahead: Soup freezes well for up to 3 months.
- Scaling: This recipe can be doubled or halved easily.
- Troubleshooting: If soup is too thick, thin with water or broth. If too thin, simmer uncovered to reduce.
Want to level up this recipe?
Good quality ham hocks — Adds rich flavor to the soup → Check price on Amazon
Easy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Cozy Dinners
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb green split peas
- 1 lb ham hocks or smoked ham bones
- 1 large onion
- 3 carrots
- 3 celery stalks
- 4 cloves garlic
Seasonings
- Salt
- Pepper
- Bay leaves
- Thyme
- Cumin
- Paprika
Optional Toppings
- Cream or milk
- Chopped parsley
- Crusty bread
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse and pick over split peas. Combine peas, ham hocks, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, salt, pepper, bay leaves, thyme, cumin, and paprika in a large pot. Cover with water and bring to a boil.
- Step 2: Reduce heat, cover, and let simmer for 45-60 minutes, or until peas are tender. Remove ham hocks and shred meat, then return to pot.
- Step 3: Use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup until it reaches your desired consistency. Stir in cream or milk, if desired.
- Step 4: Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot with chopped parsley and crusty bread on the side.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a diced jalapeño.
- Best substitution: Lentils can be substituted for split peas.
- Make-ahead: Soup freezes well for up to 3 months.
- Scaling: This recipe can be doubled or halved easily.
- Troubleshooting: If soup is too thick, thin with water or broth. If too thin, simmer uncovered to reduce.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: Soup can be made ahead and reheated.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 7g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fiber: 16g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 45mg
- Sat. Fat: 3g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Cozy Dinners FAQs
Yes, soup can be made ahead and reheated. It also freezes well for up to 3 months.
If soup is too thin, simmer uncovered to reduce. If it's too thick, thin with water or broth.
Yes, combine all ingredients in the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
Smoked turkey legs or a ham steak can be used as a substitute.
Split pea soup is high in protein and fiber, making it a healthy choice. However, it can be high in sodium, so watch your portion size.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Cozy Dinners and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
