Name: Ham and Split Pea Soup Recipe — A Great Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 105 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons butter; 2 ribs celery, diced; 0.5 onion, diced; 3 cloves garlic, sliced; 1 pound dried split peas, rinsed; 1 pound ham, diced; 1 bay leaf; 1 quart chicken stock; 2.5 cups water; salt and ground black pepper to taste

Ham and Split Pea Soup Recipe — A Great Soup Recipe

Cook Time: 90 minutes

This comforting split pea soup with ham is rich, hearty, and brimming with flavor. Perfect for using leftover ham, it makes a satisfying meal any time of year.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter
2 ribs celery, diced
onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, sliced
1 pound dried split peas, rinsed
1 pound cooked ham, diced
1 bay leaf
1 quart chicken stock
2 cups water
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Step-by-Step Directions

Step 1: Gather all your ingredients so everything is ready to go.

Step 2: In a large soup pot, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the diced celery, onion, and sliced garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and translucent but not browned, about 5 to 8 minutes.

Step 3: Stir in the rinsed split peas, diced ham, and bay leaf, combining everything evenly in the pot.

Step 4: Pour in the chicken stock and water. Stir to mix thoroughly, then bring to a gentle simmer.

Step 5: Cook uncovered for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the split peas are tender and the soup has thickened to a creamy consistency.

Step 6: Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Remove the bay leaf before serving.

Serving Suggestions

This soup is hearty enough to enjoy on its own, but pairing it with crusty bread, homemade croutons, or a grilled cheese sandwich takes it to the next level of comfort food.

Storage Instructions

Store leftovers in an airtight in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave. For longer storage, freeze the soup for up to three months.

Nutrition Information (per serving)

Calories: 374
Total Fat: 14g (18% DV)
Saturated Fat: 6g (29% DV)
Cholesterol: 40mg (13% DV)
Sodium: 1187mg (52% DV)
Total Carbohydrates: 37g (13% DV)
Dietary Fiber: 15g (54% DV)
Total Sugars: 6g
Protein: 25g (50% DV)
Vitamin C: 23mg (25% DV)
Calcium: 54mg (4% DV)
Iron: 3mg (17% DV)
Potassium: 805mg (17% DV)

Ham and Split Pea Soup Recipe — A Great Soup Recipe

Comments

Benjamin Green

08/05/2022 02:08:08 AM

OMG, what a game changer! I've been making Pea Soup for two decades, but Chef John's method of "sweating" the onion, celery, and garlic before adding the rest of the ingredients has transformed my go-to recipe into the most incredible Ham & Split Pea Soup ever! I tweaked a few things, like simmering the ham bone for an hour beforehand and using the leftover ham from a previous dinner. Instead of chicken stock and water, I used the flavorful stock from the ham bone. Following Chef John's order of adding ingredients, I let the soup simmer for hours, adding potatoes and carrots later on. My family, ranging from 9 to 55 years old, absolutely adored this soup – my husband even called it the best I've ever made! Thank you, Chef John, for your innovative tips and techniques – they truly made a world of difference. I can't wait to dive into another bowl after work. By the way, I always double the recipe for my hungry clan! And keeping some ham stock on hand for thickening was a genius move. Since discovering Chef John, my cooking has reached new heights, and my family can't get enough. Lots of love for you, Chef! 🍲💕

Eric Torres

07/01/2023 09:36:03 PM

I tried this recipe with a few tweaks - I added some fresh thyme, lemon pepper, and a bit of half-and-half. After simmering for 75 minutes, I used my Cuisinart Smart Stick to blend it into a creamy soup. I topped it off with some grated sharp cheddar cheese, bacon bits, and fresh parsley. The result was really delicious!

Mary Martinez

03/23/2025 08:28:09 PM

This split pea soup was absolutely outstanding! It had the perfect thick and rich consistency, making it more of a main meal than just a soup starter. I was initially unsure about adding celery, but decided to include it, and it worked wonderfully. I specifically sought out a recipe without carrots or potatoes, and instead sautéed the ham with celery and onions. I substituted chicken stock with Better than Bullion Ham base, and cooked it all in the crockpot. It paired perfectly with some homemade cornbread. Such a satisfying and delicious dish!

Richard Johnson

11/06/2024 11:41:40 AM

Rewritten review: This recipe is an excellent base for making soup. I incorporated a few recommendations from the comments and the result was outstanding. I decided to prepare a ham stock using the leftover ham bone from Thanksgiving, opting for 10 cups instead of the suggested chicken broth/water. To save time, I soaked the split peas for a couple of hours before cooking. I included ham steak in addition to the ham bone and omitted salt from the recipe. Furthermore, I included coarsely diced potatoes and carrots to add heartiness to the soup, which is why I increased the amount of liquid. Overall, the recipe was easy to follow, and my family loved the soup. I'm delighted that I came across this recipe. Thank you for sharing!

Patricia Wilson

04/03/2024 03:46:33 AM

I only made one modification by simmering a ham bone in chicken stock. The recipe was simple and was a big success!

Heather Wilson

03/20/2025 08:00:35 AM

Excellent split pea soup recipe! I like to include finely diced carrots for extra flavor. You can easily adjust the amount of liquid to suit your personal taste.