Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe
This classic split pea soup is the ultimate comfort food, ready in just 45 minutes. After making it dozens of times, I’ve discovered the secret to a creamy, hearty soup that’s better than takeout. Keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Mediterranean Side Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette and Fresh Thai Mango Green Papaya Salad with Chili Lime Dressing.
Why This Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe Is Pure Comfort
- It's ready in under an hour
- Packed with flavor from ham and vegetables
- Creamy and comforting, perfect for cozy dinners
- Easily customizable with your favorite add-ins
What You'll Need for Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 lb green split peas
- 1 lb smoked ham, diced
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 carrots, chopped
- 3 stalks celery, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 4 cups water
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Optional: Heavy cream, for serving
- Optional: Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
📝 Ingredient Notes
- split peas: Rinse and pick over before using.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Pot — Saves time and energy by cooking split peas in half the time. → See on Amazon
- Immersion Blender — Makes blending the soup right in the pot easy and mess-free. → See on Amazon
How to Make Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe
- Step 1: Rinse and pick over split peas. In a large pot, combine peas, ham, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, chicken broth, water, salt, pepper, bay leaf, and thyme. Bring to a boil.
- Step 2: Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until peas are tender. Stir occasionally.
- Step 3: Using an immersion blender, blend half of the soup until smooth. Stir in heavy cream (if using) and serve with chopped parsley.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the peas. They can become mushy and lose their texture. Keep an eye on them and adjust cooking time as needed.
- Time-saving tip: You can use a ham bone instead of diced ham for even more flavor. Just make sure to remove it before blending the soup.
- Nutrition tip: For a vegetarian version, omit the ham and use vegetable broth instead.
- Make-ahead tip: This soup freezes well. Let it cool completely, then store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Storing & Reheating Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: This soup can be made up to 2 days ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.
Freezing Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe
Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave, stirring every 2 minutes until heated through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a smoother soup, blend it until completely smooth. For a chunkier soup, blend less or not at all.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the ham with turkey or chicken for a different flavor profile.
- Make-ahead: This soup can be made up to 2 days ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If your soup is too thick, thin it out with a little water or broth. If it's too thin, let it simmer uncovered until it reaches your desired consistency.
Want to level up this recipe?
Good quality stockpot — A heavy-bottomed pot ensures even heating and prevents burning. → Check price on Amazon
Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb green split peas
- 1 lb smoked ham, diced
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 carrots, chopped
- 3 stalks celery, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 4 cups water
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp dried thyme
Optional Toppings
- Heavy cream, for serving
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse and pick over split peas. In a large pot, combine peas, ham, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, chicken broth, water, salt, pepper, bay leaf, and thyme. Bring to a boil.
- Step 2: Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until peas are tender. Stir occasionally.
- Step 3: Using an immersion blender, blend half of the soup until smooth. Stir in heavy cream (if using) and serve with chopped parsley.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a smoother soup, blend it until completely smooth. For a chunkier soup, blend less or not at all.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the ham with turkey or chicken for a different flavor profile.
- Make-ahead: This soup can be made up to 2 days ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If your soup is too thick, thin it out with a little water or broth. If it's too thin, let it simmer uncovered until it reaches your desired consistency.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave, stirring every 2 minutes until heated through.
- Make ahead: This soup can be made up to 2 days ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 6g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fiber: 12g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Cholesterol: 35mg
- Sat. Fat: 2g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe FAQs
Yes, this soup can be made up to 2 days ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.
If your soup is too thin, let it simmer uncovered until it reaches your desired consistency. You can also thicken it with a cornstarch slurry.
Yes, combine all ingredients in the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months.
Yes, you can use canned split peas. Drain and rinse them before using. You may need to adjust the cooking time.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe 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!
