This soup might be simple, but wow, is it delicious! Split pea soup has been a New England favorite for ages, made with dried split peas and either a ham hock or some leftover ham. You can blend it up for a smooth, creamy texture or leave it chunky with hearty bits of veggies and ham. It’s a humble soup, but it’s easy to make and budget-friendly.

Serve it up with Rustic Garlic Parmesan Herb Bread or Garlic Parmesan Herb Dinner Rolls.

Why Our Recipe

  • Rich and smoky goodness: Ham hocks bring meaty flavor to every spoonful.
  • Easy, one-pot meal: Toss it all in, let it simmer, and you’re golden.
  • Texture Options: Blend it until it’s smooth and creamy or keep it chunky.
Shot of Split Pea Soup in pot with ladle full.

Split pea soup is made from dried split peas which is how the soup gets its name. But what about the split peas? That comes from the process used to preserve them. They are peeled, dried, and split. The color of split pea soup varies between yellow and green, depending on the variety of split peas used.

Ingredient Notes

  • Salted Butter: If you only have unsalted butter, add a pinch of salt.
  • Onion: Use a white or yellow onion. Dice it into small pieces.
  • Carrots: Baby carrots work too, just cut them into smaller pieces for even cooking.
  • Split Peas: Split peas are a dried pea that can be found bagged, in the dry food section of your supermarket. They should be located somewhere near the dried beans and lentils.
  • Chicken Broth: Using a low-sodium option allows you to best control the flavor—it’s a great chef tip.
  • Ham Hocks: If you can’t find ham hocks, you can use a ham bone instead. Or, to make things easy, can also use diced ham. Simply add in the diced ham after pureeing your soup.

Using Dried Split Peas

Split peas, like lentils, do not need to be soaked before cooking. Beans require soaking prior to cooking, but because these are peas they can be used directly in the recipe. It is still a good idea to rinse your peas thoroughly before cooking to remove any dirt particles and pick out anything that’s shriveled.

Ham Hocks and Options

This recipe utilizes ham hocks. They are cheap and what keeps this soup humble. Throwing them in your soup is super easy and brings a lot of flavor with a little bit of meat. You’re basically making your own ham stock!

You can use diced ham instead if you can’t find ham hocks or don’t want to use them. This can be leftover ham or you can purchase diced ham. Simply add it in after pureeing your soup. Return the soup to a simmer to allow the ham to heat through.

If you’d like to get two meals in one, you can also use the ham bone the day after you’ve had a delicious ham dinner. Strip the ham off the bone and save for garnish.

Shot of Split Pea Soup in bowl with spoon full.

Chunky vs Smooth

Traditionally, this soup is served as a smooth purée, but we love a little added texture. Just skip the last step where you pour it into the blender and you’ve still got the smoothness of the base but with those yummy vegetable chunks and pieces of salty, savory ham.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freeze the cooled soup in a freezer-safe container or resealable freezer bag, leaving space at the top for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

Reheat on the stove over medium-low heat until warmed through. 

Reheat in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring in between each for even heating.

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