Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Dinner
After making this classic split pea soup dozens of times, I’ve discovered the secret to the richest, most comforting bowl. This hearty soup is perfect for cozy dinners and warms you right up. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Quick Cajun Scallops in Creamy Mustard Sauce Dinner and Easy Slow Cooker Cowboy Potato Casserole for Dinner.
Why This Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- It's incredibly comforting on chilly nights
- The smoky ham flavor is irresistible
- It's easy to make and feeds a crowd
- Leftovers freeze beautifully for later
What You'll Need for Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Dinner
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Split peas
- Ham hock
- Onion
- Carrots
- Celery
- Garlic
- Thyme
- Bay leaves
- Salt
- Pepper
- Optional: Crusty bread
- Optional: Shredded cheese
- Optional: Chopped fresh parsley
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Split peas: Make sure to rinse and pick over the peas before cooking.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Pot — Saves time and energy by cooking the soup quickly and evenly. → See on Amazon
- Immersion blender — Makes blending the soup right in the pot easy and mess-free. → See on Amazon
How to Make Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Dinner
- Soak the peas: Rinse and pick over the split peas. Place them in a large bowl, cover with water, and let them soak for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Cook the soup: Drain and rinse the peas. Place them in a large pot with the ham hock, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and let simmer for 45-60 minutes, until the peas are tender.
- Blend the soup: Remove the ham hock and bay leaves. Use an immersion blender to blend the soup until it's your desired consistency. You can also blend it in batches in a regular blender.
- Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve the soup hot with your choice of toppings.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Dinner
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the soup after blending. It can make it watery.
- Pro tip: For a smoother soup, blend it more. For a chunkier soup, blend it less.
- Pro tip: Add a splash of vinegar to the soup before serving to brighten the flavors.
Storing & Reheating Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Dinner
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: The soup can be made up to 2 days ahead and reheated before serving.
Freezing Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Dinner
Freeze leftover soup in individual portions for up to 3 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave until warmed through, stirring occasionally.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: Adding a parmesan rind to the soup while it cooks can add extra depth of flavor.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the ham hock with a smoked ham bone or a ham steak.
- Make-ahead: The soup can be made up to 2 days ahead and reheated before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the soup is too thick, thin it out with a bit of water or broth. If it's too thin, let it simmer uncovered to reduce.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality ham hock — Gives the soup its rich, smoky flavor. Using a good quality ham hock makes a big difference. → Check price on Amazon
Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Split peas
- Ham hock
- Onion
- Carrots
- Celery
Seasonings
- Garlic
- Thyme
- Bay leaves
- Salt
- Pepper
Optional Toppings
- Crusty bread
- Shredded cheese
- Chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Soak the peas: Rinse and pick over the split peas. Place them in a large bowl, cover with water, and let them soak for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Cook the soup: Drain and rinse the peas. Place them in a large pot with the ham hock, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and let simmer for 45-60 minutes, until the peas are tender.
- Blend the soup: Remove the ham hock and bay leaves. Use an immersion blender to blend the soup until it's your desired consistency. You can also blend it in batches in a regular blender.
- Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve the soup hot with your choice of toppings.
Notes
- Chef tip: Adding a parmesan rind to the soup while it cooks can add extra depth of flavor.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the ham hock with a smoked ham bone or a ham steak.
- Make-ahead: The soup can be made up to 2 days ahead and reheated before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the soup is too thick, thin it out with a bit of water or broth. If it's too thin, let it simmer uncovered to reduce.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze leftover soup in individual portions for up to 3 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave until warmed through, stirring occasionally.
- Make ahead: The soup can be made up to 2 days ahead and reheated before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 22g
- Fat: 5g
- Carbs: 55g
- Fiber: 18g
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 45mg
- Sat. Fat: 1.5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Dinner FAQs
Yes, the soup can be made up to 2 days ahead and reheated before serving. It also freezes well for up to 3 months.
The soup may have been overcooked after blending, causing it to release more liquid. To prevent this, don't overcook the soup after blending.
Yes, you can make this soup in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
You can substitute the ham hock with a smoked ham bone or a ham steak.
Yes, this soup is naturally gluten-free. Just be sure to check your broth and any toppings you add.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Dinner and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
