Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup

This hearty classic Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup is warm and soothing, making it the ideal choice for chilly days. When dinnertime arrives, the aroma of a hearty and filling meal will greet you, having been cooked slowly all morning.

Tasting Notes

Expect a velvety, thick texture with the earthy flavor of split peas complemented by the savory notes of ham and vegetables. The slow-cooking process allows the ingredients to meld together, creating a soup that’s both nutritious and flavorful.

Ingredients

• 2 cups dried split peas, rinsed and sorted
• 1 ham hock or 1 pound ham bone with some meat
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 carrots, peeled and diced
• 3 celery stalks, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 8 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• Salt, to taste
• 2 cups water (optional, for a thinner consistency)

Kitchen Equipment

• Slow cooker
• Chopping board
• Chef’s knife
• Wooden spoon

Instructions

1. Prep Ingredients: Rinse and sort the split peas. Chop the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic.
2. Layer Ingredients: In the slow cooker, layer the split peas, ham hock or bone, chopped onion, carrots, celery, garlic, bay leaf, dried thyme, and black pepper.
3. Add Broth: Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth. If you prefer a thinner consistency, add 2 cups of water.
4. Cook: Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-5 hours. The peas should be tender, and the meat should easily come off the ham hock or bone.
5. Remove Ham Hock/Bone: Take out the ham hock or bone, shred the meat, and return it to the slow cooker.
6. Season: Taste and add salt if needed. Remove the bay leaf.
7. Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot. Optionally, garnish with fresh chopped parsley.

Pro Tips

• For extra flavor, sauté the onion, carrots, and celery in a bit of oil before adding them to the slow cooker.
• If you’re short on time, you can cook the soup on high for 4-5 hours, but low and slow yields the best flavor.

Variations

• Vegetarian Option: Omit the ham hock and use vegetable broth for a vegetarian version.
• Smoked Ham Flavor: Add a smoked ham hock for a rich, smoky taste.

FAQs