Hearty Split Pea Soup (Printable Version)
A comforting, richly flavored blend of split peas, vegetables, and aromatic herbs for cozy autumn dining.
# What You'll Need:
→ Legumes
01 - 2 cups dried split peas, rinsed and picked over
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 large onion, diced
03 - 2 medium carrots, diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, diced
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 medium Yukon gold potato, peeled and diced
→ Meats
07 - 1 smoked ham hock or 8 oz diced smoked ham (omit for vegetarian/vegan version)
→ Liquids
08 - 8 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
09 - 1 bay leaf
→ Spices & Seasonings
10 - 1 tsp dried thyme
11 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
12 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
13 - 1 tsp salt (to taste, add more as needed)
→ Optional Finishes
14 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
15 - 1 tbsp olive oil (for sautéing)
# Directions:
01 - In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, celery, and a pinch of salt. Sauté for 5–7 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add the diced potato, split peas, bay leaf, thyme, black pepper, smoked paprika, and ham hock (if using). Pour in the broth and stir to combine.
04 - Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered for 1–1.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until peas are tender and soup has thickened.
05 - Remove the ham hock (if used), shred any meat, and return it to the pot. Discard the bay leaf.
06 - Taste and adjust salt as needed. For a smoother texture, lightly mash some of the peas with a spoon or use an immersion blender for a partially pureed soup.
07 - Ladle into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve hot.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The smoked paprika gives it this incredible depth without needing hours of work
- It makes enough for dinner tonight plus lunches all week, and actually tastes better on day two
02 -
- The soup will continue to thicken as it cools, so do not panic if it seems thinner than you expected when hot
- Smoked paprika cannot replicate exactly what ham does, but it comes surprisingly close for a vegetarian version
03 -
- Rinse the split peas until the water runs clear, this removes dust and prevents foaming while cooking
- If the soup splits or looks slightly curdled, do not worry, a quick whirl with an immersion blender fixes everything