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Hearty Ham and Split Pea Soup Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 105 reviews

This hearty Ham and Split Pea Soup recipe features tender split peas and savory cooked ham simmered together with aromatic vegetables and flavorful chicken stock. It’s a comforting, protein-rich soup perfect for chilly days and makes excellent use of leftover ham.

Ingredients

Scale

Soup Base

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 ribs celery, diced
  • ½ onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, sliced

Main Ingredients

  • 1 pound dried split peas, rinsed
  • 1 pound cooked ham, diced
  • 1 bay leaf

Liquids and Seasoning

  • 1 quart chicken stock
  • 2 ½ cups water
  • Salt and ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare Vegetables: Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced celery and onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the sliced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  2. Add Split Peas and Ham: Stir in the rinsed split peas and diced cooked ham, mixing well with the sautéed vegetables.
  3. Add Liquids and Bay Leaf: Pour in the chicken stock and water, then add the bay leaf. Stir to combine all ingredients evenly.
  4. Simmer the Soup: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover. Let the soup simmer gently for about 1 to 1½ hours until the split peas are tender and the soup has thickened, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  5. Season and Serve: Remove the bay leaf and season the soup with salt and ground black pepper to taste. Stir well and serve hot, optionally garnished with fresh herbs.

Notes

  • For a creamier texture, use an immersion blender to puree a portion of the soup before serving.
  • If using a ham bone, simmer it with the peas for added flavor and remove before serving.
  • Salt should be added after cooking as the ham and stock may already contain sodium.
  • You can substitute vegetable stock to make it vegetarian, but omit the ham.
  • Leftover ham and soup can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Keywords: ham and split pea soup, split pea soup, ham soup, hearty soup, comfort food, easy soup recipe

Find it online: https://busyrecipe.com/hearty-ham-and-split-pea-soup-recipe/