Split Pea Soup (2024)

Split Pea Soup is a classic American soup made from dried split peas. It’s good for you, packed full of nutrients, and it still tastes like total comfort food.

Split Pea Soup is a popular American traditional soup that originates in New England. It is generally eaten as a smooth puree, though you can sometimes find it chunky style with whole bits of vegetables. Ham is a popular addition to the vegetable and pea soup base.

The color of split pea soup varies between yellow and green, depending on the variety of split peas used. Split peas are a dried pea that can be found bagged, in the dry food section of your supermarket. They should be located somewhere near the dried beans and lentils.

Be sure to continue reading for tips, tricks, and frequently asked questions that will help you make this classic soup a favorite in your household.

Why do they call it split pea soup?

Split pea soup is made from dried split peas so it is named after the main ingredient. Split peas are called such because of the process used to preserve them. They are peeled, dried, and split.

Is split pea soup good for you?

Why yes, yes it is! Split pea soup is full of fiber and is a nutrient dense soup. It’s also high in potassium and vitamin K. You can monitor the sodium level in this soup by using a low sodium chicken broth.

Split Pea Soup (2)

Do split peas need to be soaked before cooking?

No. Split peas, like lentils, do not need to be soaked before cooking. Beans require soaking prior to cooking, but because these are peas they can be used directly in the recipe. It is still a good idea to rinse your peas thoroughly before cooking to remove any dirt particles.

Ham is an optional part of split pea soup, but can be added in various forms. This recipe utilizes ham hocks. If you can’t find ham hocks or don’t like ham hocks, you can substitute diced ham instead. Simply add in the diced ham after pureeing your soup. Return the soup to a simmer to allow the ham to heat through. The ham can also be omitted entirely for a vegetarian option.

FREEZER INSTRUCTIONS: This soup can easily be frozen. Cool the soup completely and then ladle into plastic freezer bags, or freezer safe containers for storage. I personally like to put mine in gallon sized ziploc bags. I try to guess the amount of servings I will need for the size of my family and divide it into appropriate portions. Label the bag with the serving size and date, then lay out flat to freeze. To reheat, simply thaw and bring to a simmer in a saucepan. Placing a lid on the pot of frozen soup will help it thaw and heat through faster.

Watch the video below where I walk you through every step of this recipe. You can find my complete collection of cooking show videos on YouTube, or right here on my website with their corresponding recipes.

Split Pea Soup (2024)

FAQs

How do you add flavor to a bland split pea soup? ›

Using a ham bone will add a lot of flavor to the split pea soup, but if you don't have a leftover bone, alternatively, you could use ham hocks or ham shank to flavor the soup. If you don't want to use either in your soup, it's not a deal breaker.

What thickens split pea soup? ›

How to Thicken Split Pea Soup. The potato should make your split pea soup perfectly thick and creamy. However, if the soup is still too thin for your liking, you can thicken it up with full-fat cream (though it may alter the flavor a bit) or a cornstarch slurry.

How to prevent gas from split pea soup? ›

How do you make pea soup not gassy? Using Ayurvedic cooking methods, rinsing and soaking your peas before cooking, and eating them in a balanced meal help make pea soup not gassy.

Does split pea soup cause gas and bloating? ›

Split peas are a low-fat source of protein and are generally considered a healthy food. Like all other dried beans, however, they contain complex sugars that the human body finds difficult to digest. The gas produced by their digestion can cause bloating and flatulence.

How to doctor up canned split pea soup? ›

For a variation, add 1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon and 3 tablespoons of white wine to the soup instead of the garam masala. No ham on hand? Fry up some bacon and crumble it on top of the soup. A pale ale or an Alsatian gewurztraminer teams well with the spicy soup.

How to liven up pea soup? ›

Spices – Here is where the pea soup really comes to life. We are using a blend of cumin, coriander, turmeric, fennel, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove. Feel free use to pre-gound spices or if you are culinary snob like me, freshly grind spices before adding to create a very vibrant dish.

Why is my split pea soup not mushy? ›

Why Are My Split Peas Not Softening? In this soup, the peas should be soft after about 1 to 1 1/2 hours cooking time. If you take a taste after this time and they haven't softened, your peas are likely stale. Buy a fresh batch before making the soup again.

How much water do I use for 2 cups of split peas? ›

Bring about 1.5 cups of water or broth to a boil for every cup of lentils or split peas.

Can you overcook pea soup? ›

Update: If you overcook, the soup will get even thicker than usual! and turn a little bit of an olive drab color--it will still taste good though!"

Is split pea soup a laxative? ›

Yes, Pea is good for constipation. Pea is a rich source of fiber that might improve the bowel movement and relieve constipation. Pea also helps in the growth of intestinal bacteria. This helps to improve intestinal health[9].

Why do you skim foam off split pea soup? ›

Skim the foam that rises to the top of the water. Be very diligent about this; the foam contains the little bits of dust and dirt that you weren't able to rinse off the dry split peas. The more foam you can get rid of, the better your final product.

What causes pea soup diarrhea? ›

If diarrhoea is present it may show the characteristic green pea-soup appearance which is so common in both salmonella and shigella infections. The bacteria may escape from the intestinal into the blood stream and cause either a bacteraemia or a full septacaemia.

Does split pea soup raise blood pressure? ›

Like their family members, split peas are a good source of protein and fiber. They contain nutrients and compounds that support health and prevent chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, inflammation, osteoporosis and many types of cancer.

Are split peas good for IBS? ›

Beans and legumes

Beans, lentils, and peas are generally a great source of protein and fiber, but they can cause IBS symptoms. They contain compounds called oligosaccharides that are resistant to digestion by intestinal enzymes.

Is split pea soup good for gut health? ›

Plus, the fiber and starch in split peas are a good source of prebiotics. You've likely heard about probiotics, those live bacteria that are key to a healthy gut. Well, prebiotics are vital, too. They provide the “food” that the good gut bugs need to eat in order to thrive.

How to jazz up bland soup? ›

If a soup is tasting bland in the bowl, consider adding acid rather than salt. A squeeze of lemon or lime, or a dash of yogurt or sour cream can add brightness to the bowl. Our Lemony Chicken Soup will make your mouth water.

What strong spice can you add to your soup for flavor? ›

Cayenne – For a deeper spice and heat. Cayenne can be used along with or in place of black or white pepper. Smoked Paprika – A great spice for adding an earthy, smoky flavor without a lot of heat to your soups and stews. Cinnamon – Yes, cinnamon.

How do you add Flavour to watery soup? ›

Use aromatic vegetables, like carrots, celery and onions. Adding some egg noodles or pasta can make the soup more thicker and turn it into a complete meal as well. Add some fresh herbs of your choice to add another layer of flavour to your dish.

What can I add to soup for depth of flavor? ›

Dried herbs and seasonings: homemade seasoned salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and dried bay leaves lend flavor to the soup.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Greg O'Connell

Last Updated:

Views: 5911

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (62 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Greg O'Connell

Birthday: 1992-01-10

Address: Suite 517 2436 Jefferey Pass, Shanitaside, UT 27519

Phone: +2614651609714

Job: Education Developer

Hobby: Cooking, Gambling, Pottery, Shooting, Baseball, Singing, Snowboarding

Introduction: My name is Greg O'Connell, I am a delightful, colorful, talented, kind, lively, modern, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.