Cozy up with a hearty bowl of savory Slow Cooker Split Pea and Ham Soup! With diced carrots, celery, ham, split peas and a TON of smoky depth and flavor, this homemade healthy soup is a big bowl of yum.
Crockpot soups, like Slow Cooker Stuffed Pepper Soup, are perfect for busy fall and winter days. Simply add the ingredients to the pot, then set it and forget it until dinnertime!
This heartwarming crockpot split pea and ham soup is not only one of the easiest to make, it was practically made for dump and go slow cooking.
When the soup cooks on low all day, there's no need to do any prep work with the split peas. Rinse them, then add them to the pot UNSOAKED, along with all the prepped ingredients and let the slow cooker work its magic. Can it really get much easier?
Your house will be filled with this comforting soup's wonderfully enticing aroma all day long. But the best part is enjoying each savory, velvety smooth spoonful at dinnertime.
Serve with a side salad and a slice of warm crusty bread, and you'll have a cozy and nutritious family meal that's perfect for chilly nights--or any night when you're looking for delicious comfort in a bowl.
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👪Why you'll love it
| Easy recipe- All the ingredients get added to the slow cooker at once, and there's no pre-cooking (or pea soaking when cooked on low) ahead of time. This also means less pots and less clean up! Tastes great- Okay, so the army green color of this soup can be a bit of a put off at first, but once you savor your first spoonful, I promise you'll forget all about it. Super nutritious- The ham and split peas provide a ton of protein, and let's not forget the amazing amount of fiber and potassium from all the veggies--making this a soup you can feel good about! |
🥘Ingredients
- split peas- I like Hurst's HamPeas split peas for this recipe; it comes with a little seasoning packet that definitely elevates this soup's flavor profile
- carrots and celery- fresh veggies that get chopped before adding to the pot
- ham- I use hardwood smoked ham steaks for extra flavor; you can use a ham bone and/or leftover ham instead
- fresh garlic- mince for best results
- onion salt, ground pepper, dried rosemary- herbs and spices for the broth
- low sodium chicken broth + water- the liquid level gets adjusted depending on how thick of a soup you want (more on that below)
- bay leaf- optional to include during slow cooking; remove before serving
- green onions/chives + parsley- optional toppings when serving
See recipe card for quantities.
🔪Instructions
- Step 1: Thoroughly rinse the split peas, then add them to the crockpot along with the carrots and celery.
- Step 2: Add the cubed ham, minced garlic and all the seasonings.
- Step 3: Pour in the broth and water. Cover and cook on low for 7 hours.
- Step 4: Before serving; stir. This incorporates the broken down split peas into the broth. If it's too thick, add additional broth.
Hint: While it's recommended that you cook the soup on low for 7 hours, you can cook it on high for 3-4 hours. If you choose to cook on high, you will need to soak the peas overnight in water. Drain and rinse before adding to the pot.
🥣Substitutions
- Split Peas - you can use yellow split peas instead of green
- Meat - use turkey ham or smoked turkey for a different flavor profile
- Vegetarian - omit the ham; use vegetable broth; add diced potatoes or sweet potatoes; use 1 teaspoon liquid smoke for depth in flavor
See Cream of Roasted Asparagus Soup for an easy stovetop veggie soup with incredible flavor!
🍽Equipment
- colander
- cutting board + chef's knife
- garlic press
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
- 6 quart slow cooker
- ladle
🍶Storage
Store Slow Cooker Split Pea and Ham Soup in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 5 days.
You can also freeze the soup for up to 3 months.
💭Top tip
You can use any brand of split peas, but pay attention to the size on the packaging. Hurst HamPeas (which are recommended for this recipe) come in a 20 oz bag, while most other brands are sold in a 16 oz bag. If you use a 16 oz bag instead, reduce the water in the crockpot by 2 cups.
🗨️FAQ
Because this soup is high in fiber and antioxidants, it definitely has anti-inflammatory properties to promote healthy gut health.
They are both legumes, but they're not the same and come from different plants. Split peas are sweeter and creamier when cooked. Lentils are flat and have more of an earthy, nutty taste.
This soup is pretty flavorful, especially when you use the seasoning packet from the Hurst HamPeas. However, you could experiment by adding dill or lemon pepper.
🥄Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
🍴Pairing
These are my favorite desserts to serve with Slow Cooker Split Pea and Ham Soup:
📋Recipe
Slow Cooker Split Pea and Ham Soup
Equipment
- colander
- cutting board
- chef's knife
- garlic press
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
- 6 quart slow cooker (well greased or lined)
- ladle
Ingredients
- 20 oz split peas I like Hurst HamPeas, which come with a seasoning packet
- 2 cups carrots chopped
- 1 cup celery chopped
- 2 cups ham cubed; I like hardwood smoked ham steaks
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon onion salt may use ½ chopped white onion instead
- 1 teaspoon ground pepper
- ½ teaspoon rosemary may substitute with thyme
- 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 3 cups water
- 1 bay leaf optional for additional flavor
- green onions/chives and parsley optional garnish when serving
Instructions
- Thoroughly rinse split peas. *see notes regarding peas and soaking
- Add split peas, chopped carrots and celery to slow cooker.
- Next add the ham, minced garlic and all the seasonings--including the seasoning packet if using Hurst brand.
- Pour in chicken broth and water.
- Cover and cook on low for 7 hours.
- Stir to fully incorporate broken down split peas. Add more broth (1 cup at a time) if desired to thin soup.
- Remove bay leaf (if using) and ladle soup into bowls. Garnish with scallions, chives and/or parsley if desired.
Barb says
This sounds delicious and healthy too.
Kitchen Ready Betty says
It's so rich in flavor and packed full of protein and fiber...definitely a feel good soup!