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7 Delicious Split Pea and Ham Soup Recipes to Warm Your Soul: A Hearty Twist on a Classic Comfort Dish!

Introduction:Hey there, soup enthusiasts and culinary adventurers! Today, let’s dive into the heartwarming world of Split Pea and Ham Soup – a classic comfort food that’s as comforting as a warm hug on a chilly day. Picture this: tender split peas, savory ham, and a medley of veggies all simmering together in a rich, flavorful broth. It’s like a symphony of taste dancing on your palate!

But wait, before we get too carried away with visions of deliciousness, let’s take a closer look at what makes this soup so special. We’ll explore its humble origins, its nutritional perks, and of course, how to whip up a batch that will have your taste buds doing the happy dance. So, grab a spoon and get ready to embark on a culinary journey that’s equal parts hearty and wholesome. Let’s soup it up!

Traditional Split Pea and Ham Soup Recipe

Ingredients:

1 pound dried split peas
1 ham hock or meaty ham bone
1 onion, chopped
2 carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
8 cups water or chicken broth

Directions:
Rinse split peas under cold water and remove any debris. In a large pot, combine split peas, ham hock, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, bay leaves, thyme, salt, pepper, and water or chicken broth. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until split peas are tender and soup has thickened. Remove ham hock from the pot and shred meat, discarding bones and fat. Return meat to the pot and stir to combine. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot and enjoy!

Slow Cooker Split Pea and Ham Soup
Ingredients:

Same as traditional recipe

Directions:
Follow the same steps as the traditional recipe, but instead of cooking on the stove, transfer all ingredients to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours, until split peas are tender. Remove ham hock, shred meat, and return to the slow cooker. Adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve hot and enjoy the convenience of a slow-cooked meal!

Vegetarian Split Pea Soup
Ingredients:

Same as traditional recipe, but omit ham hock
4 cups vegetable broth

Directions:
Follow the same steps as the traditional recipe, substituting vegetable broth for chicken broth and omitting the ham hock. Cook as directed until split peas are tender and soup has thickened. Adjust seasoning as needed and serve hot. Who says split pea soup needs meat to be delicious?

Instant Pot Split Pea and Ham Soup
Ingredients:

Same as traditional recipe

Directions:
In the Instant Pot, combine all ingredients as listed in the traditional recipe. Close the lid and set the vent to sealing. Cook on high pressure for 15 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure. Remove ham hock, shred meat, and return to the pot. Adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve hot and enjoy the speedy goodness of Instant Pot cooking!

Creamy Split Pea and Ham Soup
Ingredients:

Same as traditional recipe
1 cup heavy cream or coconut milk (for dairy-free option)

Directions:
Follow the same steps as the traditional recipe, but before serving, stir in heavy cream or coconut milk for a creamy texture. Heat through, but do not boil after adding the cream. Adjust seasoning if necessary and serve hot with your favorite bread or crackers. Creamy perfection awaits!

Smoky Bacon Split Pea Soup
Ingredients:

Same as traditional recipe
6 slices bacon, chopped
1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Directions:
In a large pot, cook chopped bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon from pot and set aside, leaving drippings in the pot. Follow the traditional recipe, but sauté onions, carrots, celery, and garlic in the bacon drippings until softened. Add split peas, ham hock, bay leaves, thyme, salt, pepper, and water or chicken broth to the pot. Stir in smoked paprika for extra flavor. Cook as directed until split peas are tender. Remove ham hock, shred meat, and return to the pot along with the cooked bacon. Adjust seasoning if necessary and serve hot, savoring the smoky goodness in every spoonful!

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Ham and Potato Split Pea Soup
Ingredients:

Same as traditional recipe
2 potatoes, peeled and diced

Directions:
Follow the same steps as the traditional recipe, but add diced potatoes along with other ingredients. Cook as directed until split peas and potatoes are tender and soup has thickened. Adjust seasoning if necessary and serve hot with a slice of crusty bread. The addition of potatoes makes this soup extra hearty and satisfying!

Savor the Flavor: Split Pea and Ham Soup Recipes for Every Palate

Split pea and ham soup is a timeless classic, perfect for warming up on chilly days or enjoying as a comforting meal any time of year. Whether you prefer the traditional version, a vegetarian twist, or a creamy indulgence, there’s a split pea and ham soup recipe to suit every taste bud. Let’s explore these delicious variations:

1. Traditional Split Pea and Ham Soup Recipe

Instructions:

Rinse dried split peas under cold water and drain.

In a large pot, combine split peas, diced ham, chopped onions, carrots, celery, garlic, and bay leaves.

Cover with water or broth and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, until split peas are tender and soup is thickened.

Remove bay leaves and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley.

2. Slow Cooker Split Pea and Ham Soup

Instructions:

Follow the same steps as the traditional recipe, but transfer ingredients to a slow cooker instead of a pot.

Cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, until split peas are tender and soup is thickened.

Remove bay leaves and season as desired.

Serve hot, straight from the slow cooker for a fuss-free meal.

3. Vegetarian Split Pea Soup

Instructions:

Omit the ham and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

Follow the traditional recipe, but enhance the flavor with additional vegetables like potatoes, sweet potatoes, or butternut squash.

Simmer until split peas are tender and vegetables are cooked.

Season with herbs and spices like thyme, rosemary, and smoked paprika for depth of flavor.

Serve hot, garnished with a drizzle of olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice.

4. Instant Pot Split Pea and Ham Soup

Instructions:

Follow the same steps as the traditional recipe, but use an instant pot instead of a pot.

Set the instant pot to the sauté function and cook onions, carrots, celery, and garlic until softened.

Add split peas, diced ham, bay leaves, and broth or water to the instant pot.

Seal the instant pot and set to high pressure for 15-20 minutes.

Once cooking is complete, allow pressure to naturally release for 10-15 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure.

Remove bay leaves and season as desired.

Serve hot, garnished with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt.

5. Creamy Split Pea and Ham Soup

Instructions:

Follow the traditional recipe, but blend a portion of the soup until smooth to achieve a creamy texture.

Return the blended soup to the pot and stir to combine.

Stir in heavy cream or coconut milk for richness.

Adjust seasoning as needed and serve hot, garnished with a swirl of cream and a sprinkle of smoked paprika.

6. Smoky Bacon Split Pea Soup

Instructions:

Cook diced bacon in a pot until crispy, then remove and set aside.

Follow the traditional recipe, but use the bacon drippings to sauté onions, carrots, celery, and garlic for added flavor.

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Add split peas, diced ham, cooked bacon, and broth or water to the pot.

Simmer until split peas are tender and soup is thickened.

Season with salt, pepper, and a dash of liquid smoke for extra smokiness.

Serve hot, garnished with crispy bacon bits and a sprinkle of chopped chives.

7. Ham and Potato Split Pea Soup

Instructions:

Dice potatoes and add them to the traditional recipe along with split peas, diced ham, onions, carrots, celery, garlic, and bay leaves.

Simmer until split peas and potatoes are tender and soup is thickened.

Season with salt, pepper, and herbs like thyme and rosemary for added flavor.

Serve hot, with crusty bread for dipping.

These split pea and ham soup recipes are sure to become family favorites, whether you stick to the traditional version or experiment with new flavors and techniques. So grab your ingredients, simmer up a batch, and enjoy the comforting goodness of split pea and ham soup!