Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup for Dinner
Creamy, comforting split pea soup is the ultimate cozy dinner. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to the best texture. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Rosemary Dijon Chicken Breast and Easy Mushroom Spinach Lasagna.
Why This Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup for Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Creamy texture without dairy
- Ready in 30 minutes
- Better than takeout
- Freezes well for meal prep
What You'll Need for Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup for Dinner
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 lb dried split peas
- 1 lb ham hock
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: Crispy bacon, crumbled
- Optional: Green onions, chopped
- Optional: Shredded cheddar cheese
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- split peas: Rinse and pick over peas before using.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Pot — Saves time and energy → See on Amazon
- Immersion Blender — Makes blending soup easy → See on Amazon
How to Make Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup for Dinner
- Sauté vegetables: In a large pot, sauté onion, carrots, celery, and garlic until softened.
- Add ingredients: Add split peas, ham hock, broth, bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
- Simmer: Reduce heat, cover, and let simmer for 20-25 minutes, until peas are tender.
- Blend: Use an immersion blender to blend until creamy. Remove ham hock and shred meat.
- Serve: Ladle into bowls and top with desired toppings.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup for Dinner
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the peas. They can become mushy. If they're not tender after 25 minutes, add more broth and simmer longer.
- Pro tip: For a smoother soup, blend until almost completely smooth, then add some of the reserved broth to reach desired consistency.
- Pro tip: To make this soup vegetarian, omit the ham hock and use vegetable broth. Add smoked paprika for extra flavor.
Storing & Reheating Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup for Dinner
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: This soup can be made ahead and reheated.
Freezing Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup for Dinner
Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Best substitution: Substitute the ham hock with smoked sausage or omit for a vegetarian version.
- Make-ahead: This soup freezes well. Make a big batch and freeze individual portions.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If the soup is too thick, add more broth to reach desired consistency.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality vegetable broth — Enhances flavor and reduces sodium → Check price on Amazon
Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup for Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb dried split peas
- 1 lb ham hock
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Toppings
- Crispy bacon, crumbled
- Green onions, chopped
- Shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Sauté vegetables: In a large pot, sauté onion, carrots, celery, and garlic until softened.
- Add ingredients: Add split peas, ham hock, broth, bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
- Simmer: Reduce heat, cover, and let simmer for 20-25 minutes, until peas are tender.
- Blend: Use an immersion blender to blend until creamy. Remove ham hock and shred meat.
- Serve: Ladle into bowls and top with desired toppings.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Best substitution: Substitute the ham hock with smoked sausage or omit for a vegetarian version.
- Make-ahead: This soup freezes well. Make a big batch and freeze individual portions.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If the soup is too thick, add more broth to reach desired consistency.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: This soup can be made ahead and reheated.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 250
- Protein: 15g
- Fat: 3g
- Carbs: 35g
- Fiber: 12g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sat. Fat: 1g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup for Dinner FAQs
Yes, this soup can be made ahead and reheated. It also freezes well.
If the soup is too watery, simmer it uncovered to reduce the liquid. If it's too thick, add more broth.
Yes, cook on high pressure for 8-10 minutes with a natural release.
You can substitute the ham hock with smoked sausage or omit for a vegetarian version.
Yes, this soup is naturally gluten-free.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup for Dinner and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
