Description
Hearty, creamy, and smoky, this classic Pea and Ham Soup is the ultimate comfort food. Perfect for chilly evenings or a wholesome family meal, it’s easy to prepare and brimming with flavor from tender split peas and savory ham.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 500g (1 lb) dried split peas
- 1.2–1.5kg (2.4–3 lb) ham hock (or bacon hock)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 carrot, peeled and chopped
- 2 celery sticks, chopped
- 8 cups (2 liters) water
Optional Garnishes:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Crusty bread (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients:
- Rinse the split peas under cold water in a colander until the water runs clear.
- Chop the onion, carrot, and celery, and mince the garlic cloves.
- Assemble the Soup:
- Place the rinsed split peas in the bottom of a slow cooker or large pot.
- Add the ham hock, followed by the onion, carrot, celery, garlic, salt, black pepper, and bay leaves.
- Add Water and Cook:
- Pour 8 cups of water over the ingredients.
- For a slow cooker, cook on LOW for 8–10 hours or HIGH for 6 hours.
- For stovetop cooking, simmer on low for 2.5 hours.
- For a pressure cooker, cook on HIGH pressure for 1–1.5 hours.
- Remove and Shred the Ham:
- Once the soup is cooked, carefully remove the ham hock.
- Shred the meat with two forks, discarding fatty pieces and bones.
- Blend the Soup:
- Remove and discard the bay leaves.
- Use a stick blender to blend the soup partially for a creamy texture while keeping some chunks intact. For a smoother consistency, blend completely.
- Combine and Adjust Seasoning:
- Return the shredded ham to the soup and stir well.
- Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt if needed.
- Serve:
- Ladle the soup into bowls, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve with crusty bread for dipping.
Notes
- Pre-soaking the split peas overnight can reduce cooking time.
- The soup thickens as it cools; add more water or broth to adjust consistency.
- Leftovers taste even better as the flavors deepen over time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8–10 hours (slow cooker) or 2.5 hours (stovetop)
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooker, Stovetop, or Pressure Cooker
- Cuisine: Comfort Food