Cozy Crockpot Split Pea Soup with Ham Recipe

Introduction

This cozy crockpot split pea soup with ham is the perfect comforting meal for chilly days. Packed with hearty split peas, tender ham, and flavorful vegetables, it’s easy to prepare and warms you from the inside out.

Ingredients

• 1 pound green split peas, rinsed and sorted
• 1 meaty ham bone or 2 cups diced cooked ham
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse the split peas thoroughly and chop the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic.
2. Step 2: Add the split peas, ham bone or diced ham, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, thyme, and bay leaves into the crockpot.
3. Step 3: Pour the broth over the ingredients and stir gently to combine.
4. Step 4: Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours, until the peas are soft and creamy.
5. Step 5: Remove the ham bone, shred any meat left on it, and stir the meat back into the soup. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
6. Step 6: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm.

Tips & Variations

• Rinse the peas well to remove any dirt or debris.
• If you don’t have a ham bone, use diced ham or smoked sausage for similar flavor.
• If the soup is too thin, mash some peas with a potato masher to thicken it.
• Add salt only at the end since the ham can add plenty of saltiness.
• For picky eaters, blend the soup smooth to avoid chunks.
• Use turkey bacon or smoked turkey instead of ham for a different twist.
• Make it vegetarian by omitting ham and using vegetable broth with a teaspoon of smoked paprika.
• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle spicy kick.

Storage

Store the soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through. This soup also freezes well—cool completely before freezing in portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use yellow split peas instead of green?

Yes, yellow split peas can be used as a substitute. They cook similarly and will produce a slightly sweeter flavor and lighter color in the soup.

Do I have to soak the split peas before cooking?

No soaking is necessary for split peas, which makes this recipe quick and easy to prepare. Just be sure to rinse and sort them before adding to the crockpot.

Cozy Crockpot Split Pea Soup with Ham Recipe

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5 from 129 reviews

This Cozy Crockpot Split Pea Soup with Ham is a comforting, hearty soup perfect for chilly days. Made with tender green split peas, flavorful ham bone or diced ham, and a medley of vegetables simmered slowly in a crockpot, it offers a creamy texture and rich, savory taste. Easy to prepare and packed with wholesome ingredients, this soup is an ideal make-ahead meal that gets better with time.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 hours (slow cooker LOW) or 4.5 hours (slow cooker HIGH)
• Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Soup
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Soup Ingredients

• 1 pound green split peas, rinsed and sorted
• 1 meaty ham bone or 2 cups diced cooked ham
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Prep the ingredients: Rinse the split peas thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris and chop the vegetables including onion, carrots, celery, and mince the garlic cloves.
2. Layer the crockpot: Place the rinsed split peas, ham bone or diced ham, diced onion, chopped carrots, chopped celery, minced garlic, dried thyme, and bay leaves into the crockpot evenly.
3. Add the broth: Pour in 6 cups of chicken or vegetable broth over the ingredients and gently stir to combine everything.
4. Cook: Cover the crockpot and cook on LOW for 8 hours or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours until the split peas become soft and creamy, and the flavors meld together.
5. Finish up: Remove the ham bone from the soup, shred any remaining meat from it, and return the meat to the soup. Taste and season with salt and black pepper as needed, considering the saltiness of the ham.
6. Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and optionally garnish with fresh parsley. For a smoother texture, blend the soup before serving if preferred.

Notes

• Rinse the peas well to remove any dirt before cooking.
• If you don’t have a ham bone, use diced ham or smoked sausage for similar flavor.
• For thicker texture, mash some of the peas with a potato masher after cooking.
• Add salt at the end because the ham and broth could already be salty.
• For picky eaters, blend the soup until smooth.
• Substitute ham with turkey bacon or smoked turkey if desired.
• Make a vegetarian version by skipping the ham and using vegetable broth plus smoked paprika.
• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat.
• This soup tastes better the next day; prep ingredients ahead and refrigerate before slow cooking.

Keywords: split pea soup, crockpot soup, ham soup, slow cooker recipe, comfort food, easy soup, hearty soup