Split pea soup with ham
Split pea soup with ham
Split Pea Soup with Ham is one of those recipes that brings back so many memories of our restaurant days. There’s something incredibly comforting about a warm bowl of split pea soup, especially when it’s made with smoky ham and served with a little nostalgia on the side.
When we owned our restaurants, we took great pride in serving two fresh soups every day. Each morning, the soups were made from scratch and simmered until the flavors came together. Split pea soup with ham was always a favorite among our regulars—and for good reason.
This hearty soup is packed with tender split peas, vegetables, and smoky ham, creating a rich, satisfying flavor with very little effort. Best of all, it comes together in less than an hour, making it an easy choice for a comforting homemade meal.
Serve it with a thick slice of crusty bread for dipping, or enjoy it on its own for a filling lunch or dinner. It’s simple, old-fashioned comfort food that never goes out of style.
Good to know about this split pea soup with ham recipe
Budget-friendly: This recipe uses simple, affordable ingredients like dried split peas, everyday vegetables, and leftover ham or inexpensive ham hocks. It’s a delicious way to stretch your grocery budget without sacrificing flavor.
A great way to use leftover ham: Have leftover ham from a holiday or Sunday dinner? This soup is the perfect way to use it. A ham bone adds incredible smoky, savory flavor to the broth, but diced ham works beautifully too.
Perfect for meal prep: Split pea soup stores and freezes beautifully, making it ideal for meal prep. Make a big batch and you’ll have easy lunches or quick dinners ready to go. Store it in the refrigerator for 2–3 days or freeze it for up to 3 months.
It thickens as it sits: Don’t worry if the soup seems thicker the next day. The split peas continue to absorb the broth as the soup cools. When reheating, simply add a splash of water or stock until it reaches your preferred consistency.
Easy, low-maintenance cooking: Once the soup is simmering, there’s very little hands-on work. It practically cooks itself, giving you time to prepare other dishes, clean up the kitchen, or simply relax.
Simple, hearty, and practical, this Split Pea Soup with Ham is the kind of recipe that makes home cooking easy—and delicious. Enjoy!
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 cup each chopped onions+ celery+ carrots
- 1 Tbsp. minced garlic
- 8 oz. dry split peas
- 3 cups chicken stock
- 2 cups water
- 2 smoked ham hocks
- a few bay leaves
- 1 cup fresh or frozen peas
- 1/2 cup chopped Italian parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Start by rinsing the split peas
- In a stock pot or Dutch oven in the 2 Tbsp. of olive oil over medium high heat saute the celery, carrots, garlic and onion until soft and translucent.
- Then add the split peas salt and pepper now and mix to combine the flavors then add the chicken stock, water, ham hocks, and bay leaves.
- Cover and simmer for 45-50 minutes or until the split peas are pureed, if too dry add more water or stock.
- Remove from the heat. Discard the bay leaves and remove the ham hocks. Remove the ham from the bones , shred and return to the soup add the peas and Italian parsley simmer 5 minutes longer.
- Ladle into soup bowls top with additional chopped Italian parsley. ENJOY!!!!
More to Explore
