Description
Warm up with a comforting bowl of Classic Split Pea Soup, a hearty and flavorful dish perfect for chilly days. This recipe is a timeless favorite, combining the earthy richness of split peas with savory ham and aromatic vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetable Base:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Soup Base:
- 1 pound dried green split peas, rinsed and sorted
- 1 ham bone or 2 cups diced ham (optional for flavor)
- 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Saute Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot, add onion, carrots, and celery, cook until softened.
- Add Flavors: Stir in garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper, cook briefly.
- Cook Soup: Add split peas, ham, broth, and bay leaves. Simmer until peas are tender and soup thickens.
- Blend (Optional): Remove ham bone and bay leaves, blend part of soup for creamier texture.
- Adjust and Serve: Adjust seasoning, garnish with parsley before serving.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit ham and use vegetable broth.
- Soup thickens upon cooling—add liquid when reheating.
- Freezes well for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Soup, Main Course
- Method: Stovetop, Simmering
- Cuisine: American, European-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 16 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
