Classic Split Pea Soup
Whether made in the Instant Pot or on top of the stove, split pea soup is easy to prepare and full of flavor.
This easy soup is so hearty and delicious, you can easily turn it into a complete meal by serving it along with slices of toasted baguette and butter and a crisp green salad.
How to make split pea soup on the stove
The formula for making this classic soup is so simple, you almost don’t need a recipe. For the stovetop version, you want to be sure to use a heavy stockpot that will keep the soup at a low simmer without burning.
- Start by sautéing chopped onion and celery in a bit of oil until softened.
- Next, you add a ham bone (or hocks), some chopped carrots, diced ham, dried split peas, a bay leaf, and a combination of low-sodium chicken broth and water.
- Set the pot on the stove to simmer, give it a stir from time to time and once the peas have broken down completely it’s done!
Instant Pot version
We’ve made split pea soup both on top of the stove and in our Instant Pot. Both methods produce great results and the Instant Pot will save you about 10 minutes of cooking time.
The Instant Pot method for making this soup is essentially the same as the stovetop version above, with slight variations in the timing. You can find those details outlined in the recipe below.
More thick, hearty soups
- Minestrone Soup with Sausage
- Instant Pot Italian Chicken Soup
- Pressure Cooker Cabbage Soup
- Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup
Classic Split-Pea Soup
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 ribs of celery, diced
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and roughly chopped
- 1 ham bone or 2 small smoked ham hocks, see notes
- 1 to 1-1/2 cups diced ham
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 to 3 cups water
- 1 lb about 2-1/4 cups dried split peas
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Stovetop Method
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and celery and sauté until soft, 4 to 5 minutes.
- Add the carrots, ham bone, diced ham, split peas, chicken broth, 2 cups of water and bay leaf to the pot.
- Bring the soup mixture to a slow simmer and cover, leaving the lid slightly askew.
- Cook, stirring occasionally, until the peas have broken down completely and the soup has thickened, 50 to 60 minutes.
- Remove and discard the ham bone and bay leaf.
- Stir the soup to blend thoroughly and if necessary, add more water until the thickness of the soup is to your liking.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper and ladle into bowls for serving.
- Instant Pot Method
- Press the "sauté" button on the Instant Pot, let it heat for about 1-1/2 minutes, then add the vegetable oil, onion and celery. Sauté until soft, 3 to 4 minutes.
- Cancel the "sauté" function and add the carrots, ham bone, diced ham, split peas, chicken broth, 2 cups of water and bay leaf to the pot.
- Lock the cover onto the Instant Pot and use the "manual" function to set the pot to cook for 18 minutes at high pressure.
- Once the time is up, allow the pressure to release naturally for 15 minutes, then release any remaining pressure by turning the steam valve to the venting position. Be sure to keep your hands and face away from the top of the Instant Pot as you do.
- Unlock the cover, remove the ham bone and bay leaf and discard.
- Stir the soup to blend thoroughly and if necessary, add more water until the thickness of the soup is to your liking.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper and ladle into bowls for serving.
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13 Comments on “Classic Split Pea Soup”
Love this recipe. It tastes just like my mother’s used to. Thank you.
Hi Linda,
I’m glad that you enjoyed the soup. Thanks for taking the time to let us know.
I made it by what was said but mine didn’t get thick Smells delicious looks delicious but just not thick
Hi Salley,
It’s the split peas themselves that thicken the soup as they cook and we’ve been fortunate to never have had a problem with them not “doing their job” so to speak.
However, since the batch you had didn’t thicken the soup the way you’d hoped, you could try pureeing the soup in the blender, then adding it back in the pot to cook for a little longer. Alternatively, you could add a steamed potato cut into chunks, then puree, or add instant mashed potato flakes a few tablespoons at a time until you get the thickness you like. Potatoes won’t really change the flavor, but they will thicken liquids. Hope this helps.
I haven’t had split pea soup on over 35 yrs & that was from a can. Someone gave me some dried peas, so I tried this recipe. I’m SO glad I did, this is absolutely delicious!!
Hi Lara,
So glad you liked the soup. It’s one of our favorites, especially when the weather gets cold. Thanks for taking the time to let us know.
Hi there, this recipe looks great, but I was wondering if there would be a significant difference in the final outcome if I left out the bay leaf?
Hi Lauren,
While bay leaf adds an extra layer of savory flavor to the soup, I don’t think leaving it out would compromise the overall finished product. The peas and the ham impart plenty of flavor so it definitely won’t be bland.
Is this prepared any differently with ham hocks?
Hi Shannon,
Ham hocks should give the soup the same flavor without making any adjustments to the recipe.
Thanks! I made this for my father in law who just got home from the hospital after having a heart attack. He loves split pea soup and said this was the best he’s ever had! Thanks for the recipe!
Hi Shannon,
I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the recipe. Thanks for letting us know!
Love the recipes….I’m on a low carb diet….want more items to eat on this diet.