Slow Cooker Recipe For Split Pea and Ham Soup

This slow cooker recipe for split pea and ham soup is the coziest way to warm up on a chilly day. Made with diced carrots, celery, ham, and split peas, this hearty soup is bursting with smoky depth and savory flavor in every spoonful. Making split pea and ham soup in the slow cooker couldn't be easier (you don't need to soak the split peas!), resulting in a healthy, homemade bowl of comfort you'll want to make again and again.

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 slow cooker recipe for split pea and ham soup is one of the easiest recipes to make, practically designed for dump-and-go slow cooking. Best of all, when the soup cooks on LOW all day, there's no need to soak or prep the split peas ahead of time.

Just rinse the split peas, then add them to the pot unsoaked, along with all the other prepped ingredients, and let the slow cooker work its magic. Can it really get much easier? Your house will be filled with this soup's wonderfully comforting aroma all day long, building anticipation for the moment you finally get to dig in.

The best part is enjoying each savory, velvety spoonful at dinnertime, especially alongside a simple side salad, like our English Cucumber Salad, and a slice of warm, crusty bread. Together, they make for a cozy, nutritious family meal that's perfect for chilly nights--or any night you're craving comfort in a bowl.

😍Why You'll Love Making This Split Pea And Ham Soup In The Slow Cooker

🥘Just Simple Ingredients Needed

• 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.

🔪How To Make This Slow Cooker Recipe For Split Pea And Ham Soup

1. Step 1: Thoroughly rinse the split peas, then add them to the crockpot along with the carrots and celery.

2. Step 2: Add the cubed ham, minced garlic and all the seasonings.

3. Step 3: Pour in the broth and water. Cover and cook on low for 7 hours.

4. 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.

🌿Healthy Ingredient Substitutions

• Turkey Ham for Regular Ham: Swapping in turkey ham reduces saturated fat while still delivering that classic smoky, salty flavor.
• Low-Sodium Broth: Using a low-sodium broth in place of regular broth helps cut back on excess salt without sacrificing flavor.
• Extra Veggies for Added Nutrition: Stirring in extra vegetables like spinach or kale boosts the soup's fiber and nutrient content without changing the overall flavor profile.

🫛Creative Recipe Variations

• Vegetarian Split Pea Soup: Skip the ham and use vegetable broth instead of chicken or ham broth for a hearty, plant-based version that's just as flavorful (you can also add 1 teaspoon liquid smoke for flavor depth).
• Smoky Bacon Twist: Swap the ham for crispy, crumbled bacon for a smokier, slightly richer flavor throughout the soup.
• Spiced Up Version: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce for a subtle kick that balances the soup's natural sweetness from the carrots and peas.

See Cream of Roasted Asparagus Soup for an easy stovetop veggie soup with incredible flavor! You can find even more delicious soups in our Best Slow Cooker Soups post.

🍽Equipment Needed

• colander
• cutting board + chef's knife
• garlic press
• measuring cups
• measuring spoons
• 6 quart slow cooker
• ladle

🍶Storage

Allow soup to completely cool, then store this slow cooker recipe for 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 for longer storage.

🗨️Split Pea Soup FAQ

🥄More Soup Recipes

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these, or head over to our Soups page:

🍴What To Serve With Split Pea And Ham Soup

These are my favorite dishes to serve with this Slow Cooker Recipe for Split Pea and Ham Soup:

📋Recipe With Step-By-Step Instructions

Slow Cooker Recipe for Split Pea and Ham Soup

Kitchen Ready Betty

Bursting with smoky flavor, this hearty slow cooker split pea and ham soup is the ultimate hands-off comfort food. Simply add your unsoaked split peas and chopped ingredients to the crockpot, then let it simmer low and slow all day.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 7 hours hrs

Total Time 7 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Course Main Dishes, Slow Cooker, Soups

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 483 kcal

Equipment

• colander
• cutting board
• chef's knife
• garlic press
• measuring cups
• measuring spoons
• 6 quart slow cooker (well greased or lined)
• ladle

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Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 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

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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.

Notes

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.

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.

Refrigerate leftovers for up to 5 days. Soup can also be frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 483kcalCarbohydrates: 64gProtein: 37gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 29mgSodium: 858mgPotassium: 1385mgFiber: 26gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 7347IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 90mgIron: 5mg

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_{Please note that nutritional information is provided by a third party service and is intended for guidance purposes only. KitchenReadyBetty.com makes no claims to its accuracy.}