Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe
This classic split pea soup is the ultimate cozy dinner, ready in just 30 minutes. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to a creamy, hearty soup without any dairy. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Creamy Zucchini Noodle Chicken Alfredo Recipe and Easy Baked Turmeric Chicken with Spring Vegetables.
Why This Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe Is Pure Comfort
- Perfect for chilly nights
- Packed with hearty vegetables
- Better than takeout and freezer-friendly
What You'll Need for Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 lb green split peas
- 1 lb ham hock
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 carrots, diced
- 3 celery stalks, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- Optional: Chopped fresh parsley
- Optional: Crusty bread
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- split peas: Rinse and pick over split peas before using.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Pot — Saves time and energy → See on Amazon
- Immersion Blender — Makes blending soup easy → See on Amazon
How to Make Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe
- Sauté: In a large pot, sauté onion, carrots, celery, and garlic until softened.
- Combine: Add split peas, ham hock, bay leaves, thyme, salt, pepper, and 8 cups of water. Bring to a boil.
- Simmer: Reduce heat, cover, and let simmer for 20-25 minutes, until peas are tender.
- Blend: Remove ham hock and bay leaves. Use an immersion blender to blend until creamy.
- Serve: Ladle into bowls, top with chopped parsley, and serve with crusty bread.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the split peas. They can become mushy and lose their texture. Keep an eye on them and adjust cooking time as needed.
- Substitution tip: For a vegetarian version, substitute the ham hock with a smoked turkey leg or vegetable broth.
- Make-ahead tip: This soup freezes well. Make a big batch and freeze individual portions for later.
Storing & Reheating Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: This soup can be made ahead of time and reheated when ready to serve.
Freezing Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe
Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in a pot on the stove over medium heat until warmed through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a smoother soup, blend until completely smooth. For a chunkier soup, blend only partially.
- Best substitution: Substitute the ham hock with a smoked turkey leg or vegetable broth for a vegetarian version.
- Make-ahead: This soup freezes well. Make a big batch and freeze individual portions for later.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved depending on your needs.
- Troubleshooting: If the soup is too thick, thin it out with a bit of water or vegetable broth. If it's too thin, let it simmer uncovered until it reaches your desired consistency.
Want to level up this recipe?
Good quality ham hock — Gives the soup rich, smoky flavor → Check price on Amazon
Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb green split peas
- 1 lb ham hock
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 carrots, diced
- 3 celery stalks, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
Optional Toppings
- Chopped fresh parsley
- Crusty bread
Instructions
- Sauté: In a large pot, sauté onion, carrots, celery, and garlic until softened.
- Combine: Add split peas, ham hock, bay leaves, thyme, salt, pepper, and 8 cups of water. Bring to a boil.
- Simmer: Reduce heat, cover, and let simmer for 20-25 minutes, until peas are tender.
- Blend: Remove ham hock and bay leaves. Use an immersion blender to blend until creamy.
- Serve: Ladle into bowls, top with chopped parsley, and serve with crusty bread.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a smoother soup, blend until completely smooth. For a chunkier soup, blend only partially.
- Best substitution: Substitute the ham hock with a smoked turkey leg or vegetable broth for a vegetarian version.
- Make-ahead: This soup freezes well. Make a big batch and freeze individual portions for later.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved depending on your needs.
- Troubleshooting: If the soup is too thick, thin it out with a bit of water or vegetable broth. If it's too thin, let it simmer uncovered until it reaches your desired consistency.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in a pot on the stove over medium heat until warmed through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: This soup can be made ahead of time and reheated when ready to serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 250
- Protein: 18g
- Fat: 3g
- Carbs: 38g
- Fiber: 16g
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 30mg
- Sat. Fat: 1g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe FAQs
Yes, this soup can be made ahead of time and reheated when ready to serve. It also freezes well for up to 3 months.
If the soup is too thin, let it simmer uncovered until it reaches your desired consistency. If it's still too watery, you can add a cornstarch slurry to thicken it up.
Yes, you can make this soup in the slow cooker. Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
For a vegetarian version, substitute the ham hock with a smoked turkey leg or vegetable broth.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
