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Split Pea Soup: The Ultimate Guide to a Delicious and Healthy Meal Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 135 reviews

This classic Split Pea Soup recipe offers a hearty and nutritious meal perfect for cozy days. Featuring tender split peas simmered with aromatic vegetables and optional smoked meat, it’s a flavorful blend that’s both comforting and healthy. Whether you prefer it creamy or chunky, this soup is easily customizable and makes excellent leftovers.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 pound dried split peas, rinsed
  • 8 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian option)
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 smoked ham hock (about 1 pound) – optional, or substitute with smoked sausage or bacon

Seasonings and Extras

  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Optional garnishes: chopped fresh parsley, croutons, a swirl of cream or yogurt, a drizzle of olive oil, a sprinkle of paprika, a dollop of sour cream

Instructions

  1. Sauté the Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened and onions become translucent.
  2. Add the Garlic: Stir minced garlic into the vegetables and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
  3. Introduce the Ham Hock or Smoked Meat: Add the ham hock to the pot if using. For smoked sausage or bacon, brown it separately in a pan to render fat, remove most fat, then add to pot for extra flavor.
  4. Add the Split Peas and Broth: Pour in the rinsed split peas and broth, ensuring split peas are fully submerged. Add more broth or water if necessary.
  5. Season and Simmer: Add dried thyme, marjoram, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Bring soup to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours until peas are tender and breaking down. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  6. Check for Tenderness: After 1.5 hours, test peas; they should mash easily with a spoon. If firm, continue simmering up to another 30 minutes.
  7. Remove the Ham Hock or Smoked Meat: Take out the ham hock, let cool, shred meat from bone, discard bone, skin, and excess fat. If using sausage/bacon, chop into bite-sized pieces.
  8. Blend the Soup (Optional): For smoother texture, blend soup with an immersion blender or in batches in a regular blender, taking care with hot liquids. Blend until creamy; skip or partially blend for chunkier soup.
  9. Return the Meat to the Soup: Add shredded ham or chopped smoked meat back into the pot.
  10. Adjust Seasoning: Taste and season with additional salt, pepper, or a splash of vinegar or lemon juice to brighten flavors.
  11. Simmer Briefly: Simmer soup for another 5-10 minutes to meld flavors.
  12. Serve Hot: Ladle soup into bowls.
  13. Garnish (Optional): Top with fresh parsley, croutons, cream, yogurt, olive oil drizzle, paprika, or sour cream as desired.
  14. Serve with Bread: Pair with crusty bread for dipping to complete the meal.
  15. Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3-4 days or freeze for longer storage.

Notes

  • Using smoked ham hock adds a traditional smoky flavor, but the soup works well vegetarian with vegetable broth and omitting smoked meat.
  • Blending is optional; partial blending can provide a nice texture contrast.
  • Adjust seasoning at the end to balance flavors perfectly.
  • Simmer gently to avoid peas sticking and burning on the pot bottom.
  • Leftover soup often tastes better the next day as flavors deepen.

Keywords: split pea soup, healthy soup, easy soup recipe, comfort food, hearty soup, vegetarian split pea soup option, smoked ham hock soup

Find it online: https://dishedbydana.com/split-pea-soup-the-ultimate-guide-to-a-delicious-and-healthy-meal-recipe/