Split Pea Soup Recipe – (Stove Top, Crock Pot, Instant Pot!)

This classic Pea Soup recipe is made with a meaty ham bone, carrots, onions, potatoes, and has a thick and flavorful broth. It’s easy to make on the Stove Top, Instant Pot, or Crock Pot!

Be sure to try my recipe for Lentil Soup with Ham next!

I realize that I’m making quite a claim when I say that this is the best split pea soup recipe ever, but it is. Just read through the comments, people are in love. There is no doubt in my mind that it could win awards.

The recipe comes from a super old cookbook that my mom has. The steps are simple, and so are the ingredients.

☝️Variations to the Original Recipe

• The original recipe doesn’t call for a ham bone, but I highly suggest you use one.
• Don’t add any salt as the ham/ham bone has enough salt already.
• Use fresh garlic vs. garlic powder.
• I like to add sprigs of fresh thyme. 
• I also like to add just one russet potato.

*If you don’t have a ham bone, I suggest using 4 cups water and 4 cups chicken broth.

How to Make it

See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.

Note: Unlike most soup recipes, the vegetables don’t need to be softened in butter/oil first. They float to the surface of the soup and cook/soften in the fat from the ham bone.

• Rinse the peas and place them in the pot with the water and uncleaned ham bone.
• Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, add all remaining ingredients.
• Simmer for several hours, (I recommend 5+), allowing it to flavor up and thicken. Crack the lid open just slightly.
• Add the potatoes about 40 minutes prior to serving.

Using a Ham Bone

• Using a nice meaty, uncleaned ham bone is what gives this soup it’s amazingly rich and savory flavor.
• If you don’t have a ham  bone, I suggest using 4 cups water + 4 cups chicken broth instead of using all water.

Ham Bone Substitutes

• Bone-in Picnic Shoulder or smoked ham shank
• Using a ham hock is the next best option.
• Chopped salted pork and/or chopped smoked bacon can also be substituted.

Split Peas Don’t Need Soaking

Since they are already halved, they are nice and thin and ready to be cooked right in the broth.

How to Thicken Split Pea Soup

The longer you simmer split pea soup, the more it thickens. Just make sure the temperature is low if you are going to simmer for several hours to avoid losing too much liquid.

Note: If you’re at a higher altitude, longer cooking time is required.

Storage

• Refrigerator: This soup should be stored in an airtight container and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: Split Pea soup freezes and reheats very well. It’s best if eaten with 3 months of freezing.

What to Serve with Split Pea Soup

• Garlic Bread with Cheese
• Buttermilk Biscuits or Cheddar Bay Biscuits
• This soup is great topped with homemade croutons
• Texas Roadhouse Rolls

More Recipes for Leftover Ham:

• Ham and Bean Soup
• Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
• Ham Casserole with Broccoli and Rice
• Scalloped Potatoes and Ham
• Ham and Cheese Quiche
• Ham and Bean Soup

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Split Pea Soup

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes

4.99 from 135 ratings

Servings: 6 people

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This BEST Split Pea Soup recipe is made with a meaty ham bone and is easy to make on the Stove Top, Instant Pot, or Crock Pot!

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

• ▢ 8 cups water, see notes
• ▢ 1 lb. bag dry split peas, equal to 2 cups
• ▢ 1 ham bone, See notes for substitution options
• ▢ 2 cups ham, diced
• ▢ 2 cups onions, diced
• ▢ 2 cups carrots, diced
• ▢ 1 Tablespoon butter
• ▢ 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• ▢ 1 ½ Tablespoons onion powder, optional
• ▢ 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
• ▢ 2 bay leaves
• ▢ 2 sprigs thyme
• ▢ 1 russet potato, diced

Instructions

Stove Top

• Rinse the peas. Put the water, split peas, & uncleaned ham bone in a large soup pot and bring to a boil.
• Add all remaining ingredients except for the potato. Reduce to a simmer.
• Let the soup simmer for several hours, with the lid cracked just slightly. (I recommend 5+ hours and more for higher altitudes.) This allows plenty of time for the peas to cook and the soup to thicken and fully absorb the flavor from the ham bone. The longer it simmers, the thicker and more flavorful it gets.
• Add the potato about 40 minutes prior to eating.
• Once the potatoes are tender, remove the ham bone, the bay leaves, and thyme stems. Serve and enjoy!

Instant Pot

• Rinse the peas. Add all of the ingredients to 6+ quart instant pot. Make sure the pot isn’t more than 2/3 full. **The Peas do not need to be soaked.**
• Secure the lid and set it to cook on high (or press the ‘pressure cook’ button) for 25 minutes.
• Once finished, let 10-15 minutes pass before you trigger the quick release valve. This will allow most of the pressure to release naturally, allowing the soup to cook a little bit longer.
• Remove the ham bone/hock, the bay leaves, and thyme stems. Serve!

Slow Cooker

• Rinse the peas. Add all of the ingredients to a large Slow Cooker (5 quarts or larger). 
• Cook on low for 8+ hours or on high for 6+ hours. It's ready to serve once the peas are tender and the soup has reached your desired level of thickness.
• Remove the ham bone/hock, the bay leaves, and thyme stems and serve!

Notes

If you don't have a ham bone or are using the 2nd and 3rd ham bone substitutes outlined below, I suggest using 4 cups water and 4 cups chicken broth. 

Ham Bone Substitutes:

1. Bone-in Picnic Shoulder or smoked ham shank 
2. Using a ham hock is the next best option.
3. Chopped salted pork and/or chopped smoked bacon can also be substituted.

Nutrition

Calories: 343kcal, Carbohydrates: 33g, Protein: 19g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 33mg, Sodium: 1188mg, Potassium: 912mg, Fiber: 9g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 7185IU, Vitamin C: 20.5mg, Calcium: 68mg, Iron: 2.3mg

Course: Soup

Cuisine: American

Author: Stephanie