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.
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
Peas and ham?? Who thought that combo would taste good? Surprised!
I didn’t have some of the ingredients and used whatever I could find. Still came out pretty good! Soup is soup, right? 😂
Totally agree! As long as you have the basic flavors, it’s all good. 😄
Pea soup? Really? Who eats that? I prefer burgers. But my partner liked it, lol.
I don’t have thyme, so I used basil. Is that okay? The soup was still decent.
This soup is my childhood in a bowl! So tasty, I can’t get enough of it!
I totally agree! This soup reminds me of my grandma’s cooking. It’s the best!
Honestly, I’ve tried this and it wasn’t that great. Too salty for my taste.
Honestly, not a fan. It was too mushy for me. But maybe I overcooked it. 🤷♂️
Made this on a cold night and it was pure comfort. The split peas get so creamy after the 2 hours—didn’t even need much extra seasoning.
How long do I have to cook the peas? I forgot to check and may have ruined it!
Tried it today, my kids loved it and it was so easy to make. Definitely a keeper!
Glad to hear your kids loved it! It’s a great way to get them to eat their veggies. I’m definitely trying this!
Yum! My mom used to make something like this. Brought back good memories.
Soup is life!!!
Not a fan, too thick and mushy for my taste. Disappointed!
I’m sorry to hear you didn’t like it! I found it comforting and delicious. Maybe try less peas next time?
Too thick? I thought soup was supposed to be thick! 😅 Must be a personal thing.
Too much celery, I think. Next time I will cut it down a bit. Overall tasty though.
I think the celery gives it a nice crunch! But I get it, too much can overpower the flavor.
I was skeptical at first. Peas and ham? But wow! It’s surprisingly good!
Is ham hock necessary? I only had bacon, so that’s what I used, and it tasted fine.
Made this last night—so comforting. I didn’t have a ham hock so I used diced ham, and it still tasted rich. 2 hours was spot on for tender peas. Will make again for sure!
Yum! I added some extra bacon for flavor. So good!
Extra bacon sounds awesome! I’ll try that next time. 🥓
I don’t know… bacon in pea soup? I thought that was a bit weird.
Easy to follow! I made it with leftover ham from Thanksgiving. Super comforting!
Too salty! Next time I will skip the salt until the end like my mom always said.
Good call! It’s easy to overdo the salt. I learned the hard way too!
I tried this recipe but it was too salty for my taste. I think I’ll omit the added salt next time.
I totally agree! I found it a bit too salty too. Glad you’re gonna adjust it next time!
This soup is amazing! So hearty and delicious. Perfect for winter days!
This soup was absolutely delicious! Perfect comfort food for a cold day. I followed the recipe exactly, and my family loved it!
Delicious! This soup reminded me of my grandma’s recipe. So hearty and comforting! 😍
Meh. It was okay but I’ve had better pea soups. Needs more spices, maybe some cumin?
Not bad but 2 hours is a lot for me. I tried fast cooking once and the peas were still hard—so yeah, don’t cut corners.
Totally fair—split peas really need time to soften. Cutting corners usually ends with crunchy peas (been there 😅).
Made this last night—so hearty and cozy. The split peas turned perfectly tender after about 2 hours. I used a ham hock and shredding it was the best part. Will absolutely make again!
Love hearing that—2 hours is right in the sweet spot for split peas. Shredding the ham hock really does make it taste next-level. 😋
This soup is so comforting! Perfect for cold days. I added some smoked paprika for extra flavor.
Can I use beef broth instead of chicken? That’s all I have.
I dunno… beef broth might make it taste weird. Peas and beef? Sounds off. Stick with chicken if you can!
Yeah, you can totally use beef broth! It’ll give it a different flavor, but still good! Just gotta adjust the seasonings maybe.
I tried it but forgot garlic 😩. It needed more flavor for sure.
Oh no! Garlic definitely adds so much flavor. Maybe you can try it again!
Just add more herbs next time! You’ll get more flavor without garlic, trust me!
Doesn’t this require potatoes? Just saying, I’ve had pea soup with potatoes before. This feels a bit off.
I think you can make pea soup without potatoes. It’s more traditional this way!
just wow!!! life-changing!! 😍
yum! So good and easy to make! My kids even liked it! Gonna make again for sure.
Absolute trash. Followed recipe exactly and it tasted bland.
I think you might have missed seasoning it enough. This soup needs a good amount of salt and pepper to shine.
Maybe your ham was old or something? This recipe is usually pretty good if you follow it right!
YUM!!! Served with bread and it was a hit with the family! Will make again!
Glad to hear it was a hit! I love making soup for the family too. Any secrets to your bread pairing?
Is this soup healthy? I dunno but it tastes good… LOL.
I love this soup! It’s super filling and makes me feel good about eating peas. 🥣
I don’t know, man. It has ham and that can’t be too healthy, right? LOL.
I followed it and it turned out kinda bland until I added pepper and more salt. Also I didn’t have celery so I used extra carrot. Still a solid base though.
Hmm I kinda disagree: if it was bland, maybe your thyme was old or you didn’t simmer long enough. Also celery isn’t optional imo, it gives the flavor. But hey, extra carrot sounds tasty.
Totally get that—split pea soup can use a little extra oomph. Glad more pepper and salt fixed it! I usually season in stages too (before simmering and right at the end).
Easy to make! I added a pinch of smoked paprika for extra flavor and it turned out great! 👍
This tastes like “nothing fancy” soup but in a good way. My kids actually ate it, which is rare. I think the thyme is the secret.
Totally agree—this is comfort food without trying too hard. The thyme really does make it taste “complete.” Glad your kids liked it!
This soup is amazing! I added a pinch of cayenne for a bit of a kick!
Ew!!! I don’t like peas, but my husband loved it. 🤮
It turned out okay, but I think it needed more seasoning. I also used leftover turkey instead of ham. Not what I expected. 🤷♂️
Can I use green peas instead? I know split peas are different but I don’t have any—will it work? Also is ham hock necessary or can I just use bacon?
Yes, green peas could work in a pinch, but it won’t be the same soup—split peas break down and thicken a lot. With green peas, I’d shorten the simmer time a ton and maybe mash some to thicken. You might still need extra broth reduction.
This soup turned out amazing! Perfect for a cold day. Thanks!
Yummy!
Next time I’m adding more garlic! It could use a bit more flavor.
This recipe is super easy! I can’t believe I made such a delicious soup. Will be making again!
This soup is amazing! So hearty and flavorful. Perfect for a cold day!
Really good! I used leftover ham from my holiday dinner and it was a hit with the family.
Soup’s good, but I think it can be improved. More spices maybe?
I totally agree! A bit more spice could elevate the flavors. Maybe some cumin or paprika?
Easy to make, but I forgot the thyme 😬. Still decent soup!
I dunno… The texture was kinda mushy, and I might not make it again. Not a fan of split peas.
Isn’t thyme a herb for like, desserts? Didn’t think it belonged here.
Eh, it was fine. The carrots and celery help, but I didn’t get much ham flavor even though I used diced ham. Next time I’ll add more ham or maybe a bay leaf.
Totally get that—split peas can mellow the ham flavor a lot. I’d go heavier on the ham (or use the ham hock plus a little extra diced ham) and definitely add a bay leaf while it simmers.
Maybe your diced ham was too lean? If it’s not salty/smoky enough, it won’t show up. I usually add a splash of ham stock (or extra broth) and simmer longer than 2 hours.
I used diced ham instead of the ham hock (didn’t have one). Still turned out great, maybe just a bit less rich, but super tasty.
I followed the recipe but it was really bland. Maybe add some more spices?
Delicious and comforting! 🤤 Going to make this every week for winter!
So glad you liked it! It’s a winter staple for sure! 😊
I’m skeptical of simmer times—2 hours is kinda a lot. Mine was still a little firm at 2 hours, so I extended it and then it finally came together. Don’t rush it.
The texture was weirdly thick? Like too pasty. I think my peas were older/didn’t cook evenly. Would try again but maybe add more broth or blend a bit.
Peas and ham? Yuck. But my husband loved it so… 🤷♀️
I added some crushed red pepper and it made a world of difference! Yum!
I followed it exactly and it tasted kinda bland. Next time I’ll add more thyme or a bay leaf. Also maybe I under-salted.
I think you’re right about the salt. Mine was bland once too until I salted earlier (like mid-simmer) instead of waiting until the end. Bay leaf helped a lot.
Totally agree—split pea + ham can use a little extra depth. I always bump the thyme and add a bay leaf while it simmers. Also, if your broth is low-sodium, it definitely needs more salt.
Simply delicious! I doubled the recipe and my family devoured it in no time. Can’t wait to make it again!
Spent all afternoon making this and realized I was out of ham! Used bacon instead. Still a hit!
Bacon instead of ham? That’s a game changer! I love it when recipes can be flexible.
Not a fan of peas in soup. Smelled good but texture was off for me. Wouldn’t make again.
Five stars! I added a splash of vinegar at the end (friend’s tip) and it made the ham flavor pop. Will make again.
Delicious! I used bacon instead of ham, still turned out great! 😋
Bacon in soup? That’s a brilliant twist! I’ll have to try it your way! 😊
This tastes exactly like the kind of soup I grew up with—smoky ham, super comforting, and the peas actually cook down nicely. I simmered closer to 2.5 hours and it was perfect.
I don’t get the point of simmering for 2 hours. Mine took like 45 minutes and they were still firm… maybe my pot runs cold? Either way it was tasty but timing needs checking.
I’m skeptical about dried split peas needing 2 hours. I’ve had them take longer before. Mine ended up a little firm even after 2 hours, so I extended simmer time and it finally worked.
Eh… it’s fine. The thyme is nice, but I felt it was bland until I added way more black pepper. Salt “to taste” is not optional in my house 😂
Super easy weeknight soup. I simmered it while I watched tv and forgot it for like 20 minutes, and it was fine.
I tried this, but 2 hours felt a little short for my split peas. Also I used extra broth because it thickened up on me. Still tasty though.
Omg yes—this is the kind of soup that basically cooks itself. If I forget it for a bit, it still turns out hearty. 😄
Not gonna lie, I kinda burned the garlic. Still ate it though… the soup recovered and was actually fine once I scraped the bottom. Delicious regardless.
I don’t get why you’d use dried peas instead of canned ones. It was too mushy for my taste.
I think dried peas give a way richer flavor! Canned ones can be mushy too, it all depends on how long you cook them. Maybe you just overcooked it a bit? Just a thought!
Good flavor, but mine was a bit thick after simmering. Next time I’ll add a splash more broth midway. Also I forgot to shred the meat right away—oops—but it still came out great.
I was skeptical about 2 hours, but the peas got tender for sure. I added a bay leaf (because I always do) and it bumped the flavor up a notch. Easy weeknight-ish meal.
Ham hock is the move! That little bit of smokiness really makes it. I didn’t measure salt carefully and it was still perfect.
Made it with diced ham instead of a ham hock—still good, but it needed a little extra salt. Next time I’ll taste earlier and season as it simmers.
I don’t get why people love this soup so much. It’s bland! Where’s the flavor?
Great recipe—simple ingredients and very forgiving. I used chicken stock and it still came out flavorful. The thyme is a nice touch, not overpowering.
I’m skeptical about 4 cups broth for 1 cup peas… like it might be too thin? But nope, after simmering it thickened up nicely.
This is very classic, but I wish the instructions said when to salt (early vs at the end). I think that affected how the peas softened.
I totally agree—salting timing can make a big difference with split peas. Next time I’ll try salting partway through the simmer and then adjusting at the end.
I’ve made this style of pea soup a few times and I always salt at the end. Still comes out tender for me, so maybe your simmer time or broth amount mattered too.
Idk I followed it and it was kinda bland. Maybe I needed more salt? I used low-sodium broth so that’s probably why. Still, not bad.
Good flavor, but I had to add a splash more broth near the end since mine got pretty thick. Also, I was nervous about timing—2 hours felt long, but it worked.
The flavor was nice, but mine took closer to 2.5 hours to get tender. Not a dealbreaker—just check the peas as they simmer.
Good point—split peas can be stubborn depending on age. I usually check at the 1.5–2 hour mark too.