Easy Joy Of Cooking Split Pea Soup Recipe That Warms Hearts

Split pea soup from Joy of Cooking represents comfort food at its finest, transforming humble ingredients into a soul-warming culinary experience.

Hearty legumes create a rich, creamy foundation that captures the essence of home-style cooking.

Warm and inviting, this classic recipe connects generations through its simple yet profound flavors.

Each spoonful tells a story of traditional kitchen wisdom, blending nutritious vegetables with tender legumes.

Aromatic herbs and smoky undertones elevate this dish from ordinary to extraordinary, making it a beloved meal for cold days.

The magic happens when carefully selected ingredients meld together, creating a symphony of taste and texture.

Robust and satisfying, this soup promises to nourish both body and spirit: gather your ingredients and let the cooking begin!

Step-by-Step Split Pea Soup Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Aromatic Base

• 2 celery stalks
• 1 large onion
• 3 garlic cloves

Sauté vegetables for 3-4 minutes until they become soft and fragrant.

Step 2: Build Soup Foundation

• Chicken broth
• Water

• 2 bay leaves
• Dried split peas
• Pinch of black pepper

Stir ingredients gently to combine.

Step 3: Slow Cook With Ham

Introduce 1 ham bone or diced ham to the pot. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer covered for 60-80 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 4: Incorporate Vegetables

Dice 2-3 medium carrots and add to the simmering soup. Continue cooking covered for additional 30 minutes until peas break down and soup thickens.

Step 5: Finish And Serve

Remove ham bone, shred meat, and return to soup. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley. Serve piping hot with crusty bread.

Helpful Tips for Split Pea Soup

• Personalize Your Soup: Experiment with unexpected veggie additions like roasted butternut squash or crispy Brussels sprouts for extra texture and flavor.
• Blend Wisely: Use an immersion blender sparingly to maintain some soup texture, creating a creamy yet chunky consistency that feels homemade.
• Salt Smartly: Taste the ham before adding it to prevent over-salting, as cured meats can dramatically change the soup's seasoning profile.
• Freeze with Finesse: Store leftover soup in portion-sized containers for quick future meals, remembering that split pea soup thickens when chilled.
• Garnish Creatively: Top with crispy bacon bits, fresh herbs, or a dollop of sour cream to elevate the soup's visual appeal and taste complexity.

Split Pea Soup Storage Tricks You Should Know

Vacuum-Seal Method: Lock in freshness by using a vacuum sealer for split pea soup. Remove all air to prevent freezer burn and maintain optimal flavor intensity. Works best with flat, stackable containers that maximize freezer space.

Mason Jar Technique: Transfer cooled soup into glass mason jars, leaving one inch of headspace for expansion. Ideal for portion control and easy refrigerator storage. Glass allows quick temperature monitoring and prevents potential plastic chemical leaching.

Flavor-Preservation Approach: Separate solid and liquid components before storing if possible. Keep ham or vegetable chunks separate from broth to maintain distinct textures when reheating. Reduces moisture separation and prevents soggy ingredients during future serving.

Split Pea Soup Recipe Variations

• Green Power Boost: Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth and add kale or spinach for extra nutrients and vibrant green color.
• Smoky Bacon Spin: Swap ham bone with crispy bacon pieces and add smoked paprika for a rich, deep flavor profile that enhances the soup's complexity.
• Spicy Mediterranean Mix: Incorporate chorizo instead of ham, add roasted red peppers, and sprinkle in some cumin and red pepper flakes for a zesty Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Vegan Protein Pathway: Use smoked tofu or tempeh as a protein substitute, replace chicken broth with vegetable stock, and add liquid smoke for depth of flavor.

Wrapping Up Split Pea Soup

Split pea soup whispers comfort from grandma’s kitchen, connecting generations through simple, hearty ingredients.

Rich ham and tender legumes dance together in a symphony of warmth and nostalgia.

Fragrant herbs and slow-simmered broth create a soul-satisfying meal that transcends mere sustenance.

Mediterranean cooking traditions shine through this classic recipe, celebrating humble ingredients with extraordinary flavor.

Culinary magic happens when patience meets quality components, transforming basic elements into a memorable experience.

Hungry souls craving connection: share this recipe, spread love through cooking, spark conversations, and inspire kitchen adventures that bring families closer.

Reasons to Love Split Pea Soup

• Savor Hearty Comfort: This split pea soup delivers ultimate warmth and satisfaction, perfect for chilly days when you crave a bowl of pure comfort food that hugs your soul from the inside out.
• Master Simple Cooking Techniques: The recipe showcases easy-to-follow steps that transform basic ingredients into a rich, flavorful soup through straightforward sautéing, simmering, and layering techniques anyone can master.
• Nutritious One-Pot Wonder: Packed with protein from ham, fiber-rich split peas, and a medley of vegetables, this soup offers a balanced meal that's both filling and nutritionally dense without complicated preparation.
• Quick Meal with Deep Flavor: Despite taking only two hours to prepare, the long simmering process allows ingredients to develop complex, robust flavors that taste like they've been cooking all day long.

Key Ingredients for Split Pea Soup

• Olive Oil: A heart-healthy oil that provides a smooth base for sautéing vegetables and enhancing flavor.
• Chicken Broth, Water: Liquid base that creates the soup's foundation with rich, savory depth.
• Split Peas: Classic soup legume with earthy flavor and excellent protein content, key to the soup's texture.
• Ham Bone: Provides deep, smoky flavor and meaty richness to the soup.

• Celery, Onion: Aromatic vegetables that build a flavor foundation and add subtle sweetness.
• Garlic: Pungent ingredient that adds depth and complexity to the soup's overall taste.
• Carrots: Sweet root vegetable that contributes natural sweetness and nutritional value.

• Bay Leaves: Subtle herb that infuses a mild, woodsy flavor into the soup.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings for balancing and enhancing the soup's overall taste profile.
• Parsley: Fresh herb used as a bright, fresh garnish to finish the dish.

Joy Of Cooking Split Pea Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty split pea soup brings warmth from classic American kitchens, offering rich comfort with each spoonful. Smoky ham and tender vegetables combine in this timeless recipe that invites you to savor pure, homemade satisfaction.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 ½ lb meaty ham bone or ham shanks

Vegetables:

• 1 ¼ cups (296 ml) chopped celery (about 3 ribs)
• 1 cup (240 ml) chopped carrots
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) minced garlic (1 clove)

Other Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
• 1 (16 ounces / 454 grams) bag of dried split peas, picked over and rinsed
• 4 cups (946 ml) unsalted chicken broth
• 4 cups (946 ml) water
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 ½ teaspoons (7.5 ml) chopped fresh thyme, or ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) dried
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a generously sized stockpot over medium-high heat. Sauté chopped celery and diced onions for approximately 3 minutes until they become translucent and fragrant.
2. Mince fresh garlic and incorporate into the vegetable mixture, continuing to cook for an additional minute to release aromatic flavors.
3. Pour chicken broth and water into the pot, then add dried bay leaves, green split peas, and an initial light seasoning of salt and black pepper. Reserve final salt adjustment until after ham integration.
4. Carefully introduce the ham bone into the liquid mixture. Allow the soup to reach a robust boil, then reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cover the pot and let the ingredients meld together for 60 to 80 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Slice fresh carrots and introduce them to the simmering soup during the cooking process. Continue cooking covered, intermittently stirring, until split peas begin to disintegrate and soften.
6. Remove the ham bone and allow it to rest for 10 minutes. Shred or dice the ham meat into bite-sized pieces.
7. Return the prepared ham to the soup, taste, and adjust seasoning with additional salt if needed. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the top for a vibrant garnish.
8. Ladle the warm, hearty soup into serving bowls and enjoy immediately.

Notes

• Customize this hearty soup by adding your favorite vegetables like potatoes or kale to boost nutrition and flavor.
• Blend the soup partially with an immersion blender before adding ham to create a thicker, more luxurious texture.
• Watch the salt content when incorporating ham, as it naturally increases the soup’s seasoning intensity.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing, Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 160 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 7 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg