Rating: 3.66
(46)

Pea and Ham Soup

November 8, 2024

Pea and Ham Soup is the ultimate comfort food, rich, hearty, and full of flavor. This classic dish is made with dried split peas, smoky ham hocks or leftover ham, and simple vegetables like carrots, onions, and celery. Slow-cooked until thick and creamy, it is the kind of soup that warms you from the inside out.

The secret to the deep, savory flavor comes from the ham. As it simmers, the ham infuses the soup with a smoky richness while the split peas slowly break down, creating a velvety texture. The longer it cooks, the better it gets, turning simple ingredients into something incredibly satisfying. Some people prefer it smooth and creamy, while others like it chunky with bits of ham and veggies in every bite.

Pea and Ham Soup is not only delicious but also very budget-friendly. It is a great way to use leftover ham or a ham bone after a holiday meal. The ingredients are simple, and the prep is minimal. Most of the magic happens in the pot while it simmers away, filling your kitchen with the comforting smell of home-cooked goodness.

This soup is traditionally served with crusty bread or buttered toast, perfect for dipping into the thick, savory broth. It is filling enough to serve as a main meal, especially on chilly days when you are craving something warm and hearty.

Another bonus is that Pea and Ham Soup stores beautifully. Make a big batch and freeze the leftovers for quick, satisfying meals later on. The flavors even deepen over time, making it taste even better the next day.

If you are looking for a simple, wholesome meal that delivers on both flavor and comfort, Pea and Ham Soup is always a winner. It is proof that the best meals often come from the simplest ingredients.

Pea and Ham Soup
Pea and Ham Soup
3.66 from 46 votes
A hearty and comforting soup perfect for cold days, made with split peas and flavorful ham, simmered to perfection.
Servings 1 people
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup dried split peas rinsed and drained
  • 1 ham hock or 2 cups diced cooked ham
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 medium carrots peeled and diced
  • 1 stick celery diced
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • to taste salt and pepper

Instructions
 

  • In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat.
  • Add the chopped onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Sauté until the onion is translucent.
  • Add the dried split peas, ham hock, chicken broth, and thyme to the pot.
  • Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 2 hours, or until the peas are tender.
  • Remove the ham hock, shred the meat, and return it to the soup. If using diced ham, simply add.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 18gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 900mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 12gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 50IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 6mgIron: 10mg
Calories: 250kcal
Meal Type: Soup
Cuisine: American
Keyword: comfort food, recipe, soup
Cooking Method: Boiled
Time: 30-45 Min
Level: Easy
Tried this recipe?Mention @coolinarco or tag #coolinarco!
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Join the Conversation
  1. User avatar curtis.nolan says:

    3 stars
    Peas and ham?? Who thought that combo would taste good? Surprised!

  2. User avatar yuri.dietrich says:

    4 stars
    I didn’t have some of the ingredients and used whatever I could find. Still came out pretty good! Soup is soup, right? 😂

    1. User avatar suspiciousCommentator says:

      5 stars
      Totally agree! As long as you have the basic flavors, it’s all good. 😄

  3. User avatar billy.robel66 says:

    3 stars
    Pea soup? Really? Who eats that? I prefer burgers. But my partner liked it, lol.

  4. 3 stars
    I don’t have thyme, so I used basil. Is that okay? The soup was still decent.

  5. User avatar Random Dent says:

    2 stars
    Honestly, not a fan. It was too mushy for me. But maybe I overcooked it. 🤷‍♂️

  6. User avatar nita.wuckert7 says:

    1 star
    How long do I have to cook the peas? I forgot to check and may have ruined it!

  7. User avatar Murray Schultz says:

    5 stars
    Yum! My mom used to make something like this. Brought back good memories.

  8. User avatar randal.franecki61 says:

    5 stars
    Soup is life!!!

  9. User avatar suspiciousCommentator says:

    2 stars
    Not a fan, too thick and mushy for my taste. Disappointed!

    1. User avatar smartestRedditor says:

      4 stars
      I’m sorry to hear you didn’t like it! I found it comforting and delicious. Maybe try less peas next time?

    2. User avatar geoWizard says:

      3 stars
      Too thick? I thought soup was supposed to be thick! 😅 Must be a personal thing.

  10. 4 stars
    I was skeptical at first. Peas and ham? But wow! It’s surprisingly good!

  11. 4 stars
    Yum! I added some extra bacon for flavor. So good!

    1. 5 stars
      Extra bacon sounds awesome! I’ll try that next time. 🥓

    2. 2 stars
      I don’t know… bacon in pea soup? I thought that was a bit weird.

  12. User avatar dulce.gulgowski36 says:

    4 stars
    Easy to follow! I made it with leftover ham from Thanksgiving. Super comforting!

  13. User avatar Jaclyn Aufderhar PhD says:

    3 stars
    Too salty! Next time I will skip the salt until the end like my mom always said.

    1. User avatar Leto II Atreides says:

      4 stars
      Good call! It’s easy to overdo the salt. I learned the hard way too!

  14. User avatar rodney.purdy says:

    5 stars
    This soup was absolutely delicious! Perfect comfort food for a cold day. I followed the recipe exactly, and my family loved it!

  15. User avatar harlan.conn says:

    5 stars
    Delicious! This soup reminded me of my grandma’s recipe. So hearty and comforting! 😍

  16. User avatar sung.murphy39 says:

    5 stars
    This soup is so comforting! Perfect for cold days. I added some smoked paprika for extra flavor.

  17. User avatar isobel.wolff1990 says:

    4 stars
    Can I use beef broth instead of chicken? That’s all I have.

    1. 2 stars
      I dunno… beef broth might make it taste weird. Peas and beef? Sounds off. Stick with chicken if you can!

    2. User avatar mauricio.medhurst says:

      4 stars
      Yeah, you can totally use beef broth! It’ll give it a different flavor, but still good! Just gotta adjust the seasonings maybe.

  18. User avatar glinda.haley73 says:

    3 stars
    I tried it but forgot garlic 😩. It needed more flavor for sure.

    1. User avatar Effrafax of Wug says:

      4 stars
      Oh no! Garlic definitely adds so much flavor. Maybe you can try it again!

    2. User avatar karmen.tremblay says:

      3 stars
      Just add more herbs next time! You’ll get more flavor without garlic, trust me!

  19. User avatar Draugr Wight says:

    2 stars
    Doesn’t this require potatoes? Just saying, I’ve had pea soup with potatoes before. This feels a bit off.

    1. User avatar wellRespected says:

      4 stars
      I think you can make pea soup without potatoes. It’s more traditional this way!

  20. User avatar cleotilde.johnston says:

    5 stars
    just wow!!! life-changing!! 😍

  21. User avatar mark.rath says:

    5 stars
    yum! So good and easy to make! My kids even liked it! Gonna make again for sure.

  22. User avatar myesha.bernhard says:

    5 stars
    YUM!!! Served with bread and it was a hit with the family! Will make again!

    1. User avatar Lumberjack says:

      5 stars
      Glad to hear it was a hit! I love making soup for the family too. Any secrets to your bread pairing?

  23. User avatar barton.roob says:

    4 stars
    Is this soup healthy? I dunno but it tastes good… LOL.

    1. User avatar Miss Rigoberto Marvin says:

      5 stars
      I love this soup! It’s super filling and makes me feel good about eating peas. 🥣

    2. User avatar arlen.zieme66 says:

      2 stars
      I don’t know, man. It has ham and that can’t be too healthy, right? LOL.

  24. User avatar suspiciousCommentator says:

    5 stars
    This soup is amazing! I added a pinch of cayenne for a bit of a kick!

  25. User avatar jere.schuppe says:

    1 star
    Ew!!! I don’t like peas, but my husband loved it. 🤮

  26. User avatar gerald.gulgowski1988 says:

    3 stars
    It turned out okay, but I think it needed more seasoning. I also used leftover turkey instead of ham. Not what I expected. 🤷‍♂️

  27. User avatar tena.toy34 says:

    5 stars
    This soup turned out amazing! Perfect for a cold day. Thanks!

  28. User avatar Shae Loya says:

    5 stars
    This recipe is super easy! I can’t believe I made such a delicious soup. Will be making again!

  29. User avatar NAFO.SUPREMACY says:

    4 stars
    Really good! I used leftover ham from my holiday dinner and it was a hit with the family.

  30. User avatar thomasena.nicolas says:

    3 stars
    Easy to make, but I forgot the thyme 😬. Still decent soup!

  31. 2 stars
    I dunno… The texture was kinda mushy, and I might not make it again. Not a fan of split peas.

  32. 2 stars
    I followed the recipe but it was really bland. Maybe add some more spices?

3.66 from 46 votes
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