Description
Homemade split pea soup offers hearty comfort with rich, smoky ham and tender vegetables simmered to perfection. Savory flavors blend seamlessly, inviting you to enjoy a classic bowl of warmth and satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ lb meaty ham bone or ham shanks
- 1 (16 oz / 454 g) bag of dried split peas, picked over and rinsed
- 4 cups (946 ml) unsalted chicken broth
- 4 cups (946 ml) water
- 1 ¼ cups (296 ml) chopped celery (about 3 ribs)
- 1 cup (240 ml) chopped carrots
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp (5 ml) minced garlic (1 clove)
- 1 ½ tsps (7.5 ml) chopped fresh thyme, or ½ tsp (2.5 ml) dried
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté foundation: Heat olive oil in a stockpot over medium-high heat. Caramelize chopped celery and onions until translucent, approximately 3 minutes.
- Aromatic enhancement: Incorporate minced garlic into the vegetable base, cooking for an additional minute to elevate flavor complexity.
- Liquid and legume integration: Add chicken broth, water, bay leaves, green split peas, and initial light seasoning. Introduce ham bone and bring to a robust boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Cover and allow ingredients to meld for 60-80 minutes, stirring periodically.
- Vegetable infusion: Slice carrots and fold into the simmering mixture. Continue cooking until split peas soften and partially disintegrate, creating a rich, creamy texture.
- Ham preparation: Extract ham bone and let rest briefly. Shred or dice meat into bite-sized portions, then reincorporate into the soup.
- Final refinement: Taste and calibrate seasoning with additional salt as needed. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant finish.
- Serving: Ladle the warm, hearty soup into bowls and serve immediately, capturing the full depth of flavors.
Notes
- Pea Softening Strategy: Allow extra cooking time if split peas remain firm, as different brands and ages of peas can impact cooking duration.
- Ham Bone Magic: Using a genuine ham bone creates deeper, richer flavor compared to pre-cubed ham, enhancing overall soup complexity.
- Liquid Adjustment Tip: Monitor soup’s consistency during simmering, adding extra water or broth if mixture becomes too thick to prevent burning.
- Herb Enhancement: Fresh parsley isn’t just garnish – it adds bright, fresh notes that cut through the soup’s hearty richness, elevating the entire dish’s flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing, Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 12 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg