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Classic Split Pea Soup with Ham Bone: Hearty Comfort Food

Close-up of a thick, green bowl of amazing pea soup topped with shredded ham and diced carrots.
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Make this classic split pea soup with ham bone for a deeply flavorful, thick, and creamy meal. This hearty soup is simple to prepare and perfect for cozy dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound dried split green peas, rinsed and picked over
  • 1 large smoked ham bone (with meat attached)
  • 8 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. Rinse the split peas under cold water and remove any small stones or debris.
  2. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until the vegetables soften, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  3. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  4. Stir in the rinsed split peas, ham bone, water or broth, thyme, bay leaf, and black pepper.
  5. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot partially, and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the peas are completely tender and the soup has thickened. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  6. Remove the ham bone and bay leaf. Shred any usable meat from the bone and return it to the soup. Discard the bone and bay leaf.
  7. Taste the soup and add salt if needed (ham bones are often salty). If you prefer a creamier texture, use an immersion blender to briefly blend a portion of the soup.
  8. Serve this hearty soup hot with crusty bread.

Notes

  • For an Instant Pot Split Pea Soup, combine all ingredients except the ham bone in the pot. Cook on High Pressure for 20 minutes, followed by a Natural Pressure Release for 15 minutes.
  • For a Vegetarian Split Pea Soup, omit the ham bone and use 8 cups of vegetable broth. Add 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika for depth of flavor.
  • If the soup becomes too thick during simmering, add more water or broth until you reach your desired consistency.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://rosatasty.com/classic-split-pea-soup-with-ham-bone-recipe/