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Cozy Split Pea and Ham Soup Recipe Easy to Make with Crusty Bread

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A thick, creamy, and smoky split pea and ham soup perfect for cozy nights, made with simple ingredients and served with crusty bread.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (300g) dried green split peas, rinsed well
  • 1 smoked ham bone or about 2 cups (300g) diced leftover ham
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 cups (1.4 liters) low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 cup (240 ml) water (add more if needed during cooking)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • Crusty bread (a baguette or sourdough) for serving

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1 ½ cups (300g) dried split peas under cold water until water runs clear (about 2 minutes).
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil or butter in a large stockpot over medium heat. Add diced onion, chopped carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until veggies soften and onion is translucent, about 6-8 minutes. Add minced garlic and sauté for another 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Stir rinsed split peas into the pot along with the ham bone or diced ham.
  4. Pour in 6 cups (1.4 liters) low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth and 1 cup (240 ml) water. Stir to combine. Add bay leaf and 1 teaspoon dried thyme.
  5. Bring soup to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for about 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally. Add extra water or broth if soup becomes too thick.
  6. Remove ham bone once peas are soft and soup is thick. Pick off any remaining meat, chop finely, and return to pot. Discard bone.
  7. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar to brighten flavors.
  8. Optional: Mash some peas with the back of a spoon or use an immersion blender for a smoother texture, or leave chunky for rustic feel.
  9. Ladle soup into bowls and serve warm with thick slices of crusty bread.

Notes

Rinse split peas well to remove dust and prevent bitterness. Sauté vegetables before simmering to enhance sweetness and depth. Use smoked ham bone for best flavor; if using diced ham, add later to avoid toughness. Adjust salt carefully due to salty broth and ham. Apple cider vinegar at the end brightens flavors. For quicker cooking, soak peas in warm water for 30 minutes before cooking and adjust broth accordingly. Slow cooker adaptation possible by browning veggies first and cooking on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.

Nutrition

Keywords: split pea soup, ham soup, cozy soup, easy soup recipe, slow cooker soup, comfort food, gluten-free soup, hearty soup

Find it online: https://norasfoods.com/cozy-split-pea-and-ham-soup-recipe-easy-to-make-with-crusty-bread/