Split Pea Vegetable Soup (2024)

Meatless Recipes | Soup and Chili

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I love a protein packed meal, and this Split Pea Vegetable Soup is loaded. Use dried split peas, fresh garlic, onion, carrots, celery, and yellow potatoes for a pot full of healthy benefits PLUS an amazing tasty soup!

Soup Season at our home looks like constant rotations of flavors and textures. We love a spicyChicken Tortilla Soup, a creamyAutumn Squash Soup, or a heartyBeef Barley Vegetable Soupon any given night of the week!

Split Pea Vegetable Soup (1)

Split Pea Soup

Can you tell that I’m soup obsessed? Well, I am. I make some type of soup every week during the cooler months of the year. From hearty beef soups to sweet potato chili to creamy broccoli cheddar or creamy wild rice…I make them all. Every soup season is a new journey to experiment with new tastes and textures. Since I’m a Tex-Mex girl, I’m especially in love with Chicken Tortilla Soup and Turkey Taco. So much yum!

This split pea soup? It’s so many things!

  • Full of veggies.
  • Lots of tasty seasonings.
  • Delicious split peas, loaded with flavor.
  • Filling and nutritious, and high in protein and fiber!

P.S. My hubby took the hint and bought me this amazing Le Creuset Dutch OvenSplit Pea Vegetable Soup (2)for Christmas. Love it. 😀

Split Pea Vegetable Soup (3)

Split peas are full of health benefits, some of which are listed below.

  1. They are rich in soluble fiber, which helps prevent digestive disorders.
  2. Dried Peas help to stabilize blood sugar levels while providing steady, slow-burning energy.
  3. They are a good source of potassium, which may reduce the risk of death from heart disease.
  4. Protein accounts for almost 30% of the calories in dried peas, which equates to about 8 grams for 1/2 cup, cooked.
  5. They are considered to be a cancer-fighting food by the American Institute for Cancer Research.

There are two cups of dried split peas in this recipe.

Ingredients Needed

  • Olive Oil – Adds flavor to the veggies, while sautéing.
  • Veggies – Onion, carrots, celery, garlic, and yellow potatoes.
  • Seasonings – Onion powder, red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
  • Split Peas – The star of the soup!
  • Broth – Use lower-sodium chicken broth, to control the sodium.
  • Bay Leaves – Provides a full flavor to the soup.
Split Pea Vegetable Soup (4)

How to make Split Pea Vegetable Soup:

  1. SautéVeggies. In a large stock pot over medium high heat, add olive oil and then onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for about five minutes, and then add the garlic and seasonings. Stir for a minute.
  2. Add broth and remaining ingredients. Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Then add the chopped potatoes, split peas, and bay leaves. Simmer for about 45-60 minutes, or until split peas are al dente or softened, according to your tastes.
  3. Check seasonings and serve. Taste the soup, and add additional seasonings, if desired. Serve with a swirl of half and half, if you like. (We like it plain.)

This is a “small’ish” recipe and makes five servings. If you have big eaters or want to eat it all week long, just double it (but use a larger pot)!

  • Split Pea Vegetable Soup (5)

  • Split Pea Vegetable Soup (6)

  • Split Pea Vegetable Soup (7)

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Variations to this recipe:

  • Add chicken or leftover ham to this soup, for even more protein.
  • Change up the mixture of vegetables. Add leek, sweet potatoes, cabbage, etc.
  • Puree a portion of the soup for even more creaminess.
  • Make this vegetarian by using vegetable broth, instead of chicken broth.

For more ideas on using leftovers, head to this post –> 9 Delicious Ways to Use Thanksgiving Leftovers!

What to serve WITH Split Pea Soup:

  • Chewy French Bread– A great soup dipper, and my momma’s famous bread recipe. 🙂
  • Arugula Caprese Salad– A simple and perfect “soup and salad” salad!
  • BLT Sandwich with Pesto Sauce– If you’re cooking for hungry boys, you’re gonna want to make a simple sandwich too.
  • Classic Tuna Melts– One of my go-to easy recipes for super busy evenings.
Split Pea Vegetable Soup (9)

Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)

Make this soup next: Creamy Wild Rice Soup with Mushrooms

Pleaselet me know if you try this recipe. Be sure to comment and leave a review on the blog so I can see what you think. You can also like my Facebook Page, follow me onPinterest, and catch me onInstagram.

xoxo ~Sue

Split Pea Vegetable Soup (10)

Split Pea Vegetable Soup

I love a protein packed meal, and this Split Pea Vegetable Soup is loaded. There are so many healthy benefits in split peas, and they taste great too!

4.77 from 55 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Soup

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 5 servings

Calories: 440kcal

Author: Sue Ringsdorf

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion – chopped
  • 2 cups carrots (about 4-5 carrots) – chopped
  • 1 cup celery (about 2 stalks) – chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic – minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper – to taste
  • 3 cups yellow potatoes (one pound) – chopped
  • 2 cups dried green split peas (one pound) – rinsed and sorted
  • 9-10 cups chicken broth
  • 3 whole bay leaves
  • half and half – to serve, optional

Instructions

  • In a large stock pan on medium heat, add olive oil, onion, carrots, and celery. Saute for about five minutes, and then add garlic, onion powder, red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Stir for about one minute.

  • Add chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add yellow potatoes, split peas, and bay leaves and then reduce heat to simmer. Cook until split peas are soft, approximately 50-60 minutes.

  • Test for seasonings, and add more if needed. Serve with a swirl of half and half, if desired.

Notes

  1. Unlike whole dried peas or beans, split peas do not need to be soaked. They also cook much faster than dried beans, and this recipe was complete in just over an hour.
  2. Chicken or ham could also be added, for even more protein.
  3. Leftovers are great if stored in the refrigerator, up to four days. You may need to add extra broth.

Nutrition

Calories: 440kcal | Carbohydrates: 72g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1458mg | Potassium: 1770mg | Fiber: 25g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 8917IU | Vitamin C: 46mg | Calcium: 137mg | Iron: 8mg

Tried this recipe?Mention @Suebeehomemaker or tag #suebeehomemaker!

Split Pea Vegetable Soup (2024)

FAQs

Do split peas need to be soaked before cooking? ›

It's true, soaking peas overnight in water shortens their cooking time. But soaking isn't entirely necessary. Split peas cook relatively quickly. Unsoaked peas take from 1 to 2 hours of simmering; soaked peas take about 40 minutes.

Why is my split pea soup bitter? ›

Two things can be attributed to bitter taste in peas. Peas that did not receive enough water during their growing season and peas that were grown in hot weather.

What can I add to bland split pea soup? ›

Add a bit of lemon zest to make those peas really sing. You can try the fresh pea approach with your favorite split pea soup recipe, but this super traditional, easy version is an Epicurious favorite.

Is split pea soup good for high blood pressure? ›

Split peas contain potassium, which helps to lower blood pressure. Due to their potassium-rich nutritional composition, beans, peas, chickpeas, and lentils help lower blood pressure, prevent heart disease, and promote overall heart health.

What happens if you don't rinse split peas? ›

Whether you soak or not, split peas should be rinsed, simply to remove dust or dirt. You can also soak them in water to pick them over for stones, but the chances of finding one are slim.

What happens if you don't soak yellow split peas? ›

Yellow Split Peas Note: There is no need to soak the yellow split peas before cooking them. Just rinse the dry split peas in a fine mesh strainer before you use them. Yellow split peas soften as they cook. I prefer firmer split peas, so only cook for 25-30 minutes.

How to add more flavour to pea soup? ›

Garlic Cloves – add a fabulous flavour to this frozen pea soup. Fresh Ginger – should be peeled before chopping. If you have too much, try using it up in my Vermicelli Soup. Red Onion – gives a great undertone to this healthy pea soup.

Why does split pea soup hurt my stomach? ›

From a Western nutrition perspective, legumes, lentils, and split peas can cause bloating because of the oligosaccharides present. Oligosaccharides are small sugars that aren't actually digested by us.

How to jazz up split pea soup? ›

(Bonus: all of the ingredients stay the same for Instant Pot split pea soup!). I love topping each bowl with crunchy sourdough croutons and a drizzle of olive oil for richness. You can also sprinkle each serving with fresh herbs, bacon bits, or pine nuts.

What thickens split pea soup? ›

How to Thicken Split Pea Soup. The potato should make your split pea soup perfectly thick and creamy. However, if the soup is still too thin for your liking, you can thicken it up with full-fat cream (though it may alter the flavor a bit) or a cornstarch slurry.

What acid to add to split pea soup? ›

For the finish, many pea soups call for an acidic ingredient—vinegar, lemon juice, sherry, or sour cream to bring balance to an otherwise rich and heavy soup.

How to doctor up canned split pea soup? ›

Ham: make it extra hearty by adding some diced ham to your soup. Extra herbs: if you have a stocked spice cabinet, try adding some oregano and thyme to your soup, or extra black pepper. Potato: add a diced potato and simmer until the potatoes are soft to make this soup extra filling.

Is pea soup good for your bowels? ›

Green Peas

Enclosed in a smooth fibrous pod, the inner spherical seeds of green peas contain a remarkable amount of bowel-stimulating dietary fiber. According to the USDA, 1 cup of cooked green peas contains 9 grams of dietary fiber, which is 32% of the Daily Value.

Can I eat split pea soup every day? ›

YES! Green split peas are super nutritious and healthy addition to a balanced diet. The high fiber and protein content of this soup will keep you full and satisfied. High in protein: Split green peas are a good source of plant-based protein, this soup has 27 grams per serving.

How do you reduce gas in split pea soup? ›

How do you make split pea soup less gassy? If you are worried about getting gassy, soak your split peas ahead of time for roughly 8 to 12 hours. This can help break down certain sugars in beans and peas that lead to gas.

What happens if you don't soak peas before cooking? ›

Lentils and peas are softer than dried beans. They'll cook within 5 to 20 minutes without any soaking time. Nearly all traditional cookbooks tell you to soak dried beans before cooking them. Modern cooking websites often say it doesn't matter.

What happens if you forget to soak green peas overnight? ›

Is it Necessary to Soak Green Peas? You can cook dried green peas without soaking them in liquid, but they will take far longer to cook. Unsoaked green split peas will take approximately 35-45 minutes; unsoaked whole green peas take up to 75 minutes to cook.

Why are split peas still hard after cooking? ›

If the peas are very old and dried out, they won't soften.

How do you cook split peas so they are soft? ›

Instructions
  1. Rinse the split peas in a colander under cold water.
  2. Transfer the peas to a medium-size pot along with water, or stock, and salt.
  3. Bring the peas to a boil over high heat.
  4. Add on a lid and simmer over low heat for 25 minutes or just until tender.
Oct 21, 2022

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