Name: Split Pea and Ham Soup Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup Green Split Peas (Opt for dried peas that are bright green and uniform in color.); 1 piece Ham Hock (A smoked ham hock adds rich flavor.); 1 medium Onion (Use a medium yellow onion for a savory base.); 2 pieces Carrots (Fresh, vibrant carrots add natural sweetness.); 2 stalks Celery (Select firm celery for a nice crunch.); 2-3 cloves Garlic (Fresh garlic enhances the aroma.); 2 leaves Bay Leaves (Will deepen the flavor profile.); 4 cups Vegetable Broth or Water (Use low-sodium broth for better control of saltiness.); to taste Salt and Pepper (Season to taste at the end of cooking.); Fresh Parsley (Chopped parsley adds a pop of color as a garnish.)

Description

A comforting and hearty Split Pea and Ham Soup featuring tender green split peas, smoky ham hock, and fresh vegetables simmered together to create a rich, savory broth perfect for a cozy meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Soup Ingredients

1 cup Green Split Peas (Opt for dried peas that are bright green and uniform in color.)
1 piece Ham Hock (A smoked ham hock adds rich flavor.)
1 medium Onion (Use a medium yellow onion for a savory base.)
2 pieces Carrots (Fresh, vibrant carrots add natural sweetness.)
2 stalks Celery (Select firm celery for a nice crunch.)
2-3 cloves Garlic (Fresh garlic enhances the aroma.)
2 leaves Bay Leaves (Will deepen the flavor profile.)
4 cups Vegetable Broth or Water (Use low-sodium broth for better control of saltiness.)
to taste Salt and Pepper (Season to taste at the end of cooking.)

Optional Garnish

Fresh Parsley (Chopped parsley adds a pop of color as a garnish.)

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Instructions

Prepare Ingredients: Gather all necessary ingredients including green split peas, ham hock, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, bay leaves, and vegetable broth or water.
Sauté Aromatics: In a large pot over medium heat, add a splash of olive oil. Add diced onion and sauté until translucent and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
Add Vegetables: Add diced carrots and celery to the pot and stir for 3 to 4 minutes to combine and slightly soften.
Add Peas and Broth: Rinse the green split peas thoroughly and add them to the pot with the vegetable broth. Bring to a gentle boil.
Simmer Soup: Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and let the soup simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the peas are tender and the flavors meld together.
Blend Soup (Optional): For a smoother texture, use an immersion blender to puree part of the soup directly in the pot, leaving some chunks for body.
Season and Serve: Remove bay leaves and ham hock (shred any meat from the hock and add back if desired). Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if using and serve hot.

Notes

Soak split peas beforehand for quicker cooking, although not necessary.
Using a smoked ham hock provides deep, smoky flavor, but you can substitute with ham bone or diced ham.
Adjust broth quantity for desired soup thickness.
Stir occasionally during simmering to prevent sticking.
This soup freezes well for up to 3 months.