Description
A hearty and comforting split pea soup with ham, perfect for chilly days.
Ingredients
- Split peas: 1 cup (dried, green or yellow)
- Ham hock: 1 (about 1 pound)
- Onion: 1 medium, diced
- Carrot: 1 large, diced
- Celery: 2 stalks, diced
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
- Bay leaves: 2
- Dried thyme: 1 teaspoon
- Salt: 1 teaspoon (adjust to taste)
- Black pepper: 1/2 teaspoon (adjust to taste)
- Water or chicken broth: 6 cups
Instructions
- Rinse the split peas under cold water and set aside to drain.
- In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat and sear the ham hock for 3-4 minutes on each side.
- Add diced onion, carrot, and celery to the pot and sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened.
- Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Stir in the rinsed split peas, return the ham hock, and add bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Pour in the water or chicken broth and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover to simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours.
- If desired, use an immersion blender to puree part of the soup for a creamier texture.
- Remove the ham hock, shred the meat, and return it to the soup. Adjust seasoning and serve warm.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit the ham hock and use vegetable broth.
- Leftover soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Feel free to customize with optional add-ins like smoked paprika, potatoes, or greens.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 12g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: split pea soup, ham soup, comfort food, homemade soup