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Hearty Creamy Split Pea Soup with Ham

hearty creamy split pea soup with ham - featured image
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A warm and comforting split pea soup with smoky ham, creamy texture, and rustic chunks, perfect for cold days and easy to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups dried green split peas, rinsed
  • 2 cups cooked smoked ham, diced
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
  • 1 dried bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh, chopped)
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
  • Optional: ¼ cup heavy cream or coconut cream for extra creaminess

Instructions

  1. Rinse the dried split peas under cold water until the water runs clear. Chop the onion, carrots, celery, and dice the cooked ham. Mince the garlic.
  2. In a large pot, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add garlic in the last minute and stir.
  3. Add the rinsed split peas to the pot, then pour in the chicken broth. Add the bay leaf and thyme. Stir to combine.
  4. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer gently for 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add more broth or water if soup becomes too thick.
  5. Stir in the diced ham and simmer uncovered for another 10 minutes. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  6. Use an immersion blender to partially puree the soup in the pot, leaving some chunks for texture. Alternatively, blend 2-3 cups in a regular blender and return to pot.
  7. Optional: Stir in ¼ cup heavy cream or coconut cream and warm through for a couple of minutes without boiling.
  8. Remove the bay leaf, give the soup a final stir, adjust seasoning if needed, and serve hot.

Notes

Soaking split peas in warm water for an hour before cooking can reduce cooking time and improve texture. Partial blending creates a creamy yet textured soup. Use smoked ham hocks or shanks for more intense flavor but remove bones before blending. Adjust salt carefully as ham adds saltiness. Soup thickens when chilled; add broth or water when reheating.

Nutrition

Keywords: split pea soup, ham soup, creamy soup, comfort food, easy soup, cold weather recipe, hearty soup

Find it online: https://jodierecipes.com/hearty-creamy-split-pea-soup-with-ham-recipe-easy-and-perfect-for-cold-days/