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Cozy Split Pea Soup with Ham

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A warm, comforting split pea soup simmered with smoky ham and hearty vegetables, perfect for family meals and cozy dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups split peas (green or yellow)
  • 1 large smoked ham hock or ham bone
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth or stock
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1–2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
  • Optional: 1 cup diced cooked ham

Instructions

  1. Rinse and soak the split peas in warm water for 30 minutes, then drain and set aside.
  2. Dice carrots, celery, and onion finely; mince garlic cloves.
  3. Heat olive oil or butter in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté onion, carrot, and celery for 5-7 minutes until softened and translucent. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Add the smoked ham hock and soaked split peas to the pot.
  5. Pour in the chicken broth, add bay leaf and thyme, and stir to combine.
  6. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover with lid slightly ajar and simmer gently for 50-60 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  7. Once peas are tender and creamy, remove the ham hock and let cool slightly.
  8. Shred the ham from the bone and discard bones and skin. Return shredded ham to the pot. Add diced cooked ham if using.
  9. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust soup consistency with broth or water if too thick.
  10. Simmer uncovered for another 5-10 minutes to meld flavors. Serve hot.

Notes

Soaking split peas reduces cooking time and improves texture. Use a ham hock or bone for richer flavor. Adjust salt at the end to avoid over-salting. For smoother soup, partially puree with an immersion blender. Soup thickens as it cools; add broth when reheating.

Nutrition

Keywords: split pea soup, ham soup, cozy soup, hearty meal, family dinner, comfort food, easy soup recipe

Find it online: https://fizzlefork.com/cozy-split-pea-soup-with-ham-recipe-easy-hearty-meal-for-families/