Creamy Split Pea Soup (Printable)

Creamy, hearty green split peas simmered with winter vegetables and aromatic herbs for a warming, satisfying meal.

# What You Need:

→ Legumes

01 - 2 cups dried split green peas, rinsed

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 large onion, diced
03 - 2 carrots, peeled and diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, diced
05 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1 medium potato, peeled and diced

→ Aromatics & Liquids

07 - 1 bay leaf
08 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
09 - 6 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth
10 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Optional Additions

11 - 1 cup diced smoked ham or 1 ham bone

→ Seasonings

12 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
13 - Salt, to taste

# How-To Steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery; sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add split peas, diced potato, bay leaf, thyme, and broth. If using, add ham or ham bone.
04 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until peas are soft and soup is thickened.
05 - Remove the ham bone (if used) and bay leaf. If using ham, stir diced ham back in.
06 - For a creamier texture, use an immersion blender to puree part of the soup, or blend half in a blender and return to the pot.
07 - Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • This soup costs almost nothing to make but tastes like something from a fancy restaurant
  • The leftovers actually get better overnight, making it perfect for meal prep
02 -
  • The soup will continue thickening as it cools, so don't panic if it looks thinner than expected right after cooking
  • If you want that smoky flavor without meat, add smoked paprika at the same time as the thyme
03 -
  • Rinse your split peas thoroughly before cooking to remove any debris or dust
  • Don't add salt until the end since the peas and broth both contribute sodium
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