Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe
This classic split pea soup recipe is the ultimate comfort food. After making it many times, I’ve perfected the cozy, hearty flavors that’ll warm you up on chilly nights. The secret is a rich, savory broth and a hint of smokiness from the ham hock. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Spicy Potato Noodles with Garlic and Chili Sauce Recipe and Easy Southwest Chicken Soup Recipe for Cozy Dinners.
Why This Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe Is Pure Comfort
- It's hearty and filling, perfect for cold winter nights.
- The rich, savory broth is packed with flavor.
- It's easy to make and can be frozen for later.
- The smoky ham hock adds a depth of flavor that's irresistible.
What You'll Need for Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 lb dried split peas
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 carrots, diced
- 3 celery stalks, diced
- 1 ham hock
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Optional: Crusty bread
- Optional: Chopped fresh parsley
- Optional: Shredded cheddar cheese
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- split peas: Rinse and pick over the peas before using.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Pot — Saves time and energy by cooking the peas quickly. → See on Amazon
- Immersion Blender — Makes blending the soup right in the pot easy and mess-free. → See on Amazon
How to Make Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe
- Step 1: Sort and rinse the split peas. Place them in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil.
- Step 2: Add the onion, carrots, celery, garlic, ham hock, bay leaves, thyme, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Reduce heat, cover, and let simmer for 25-30 minutes, until the peas are tender.
- Step 3: Remove the ham hock and set aside to cool. Once cool enough to handle, shred the meat and return it to the pot. Use an immersion blender to blend the soup until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Step 4: Serve hot, topped with your choice of toppings. Enjoy!
Cook's Tips for Perfect Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe
- : For a smoother soup, blend it more. For a chunkier soup, blend it less.
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the peas. If they get too soft, the soup can become too thick and lose its texture.
- : You can substitute the ham hock with smoked sausage or bacon for a similar flavor.
- : To make this soup vegetarian, omit the ham hock and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
Storing & Reheating Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: This soup can be made ahead and frozen for up to 3 months.
Freezing Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe
Freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in a pot on the stove over medium heat until warmed through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: To make this soup even heartier, you can add some diced potatoes along with the vegetables.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the ham hock with smoked sausage or bacon for a similar flavor.
- Make-ahead: This soup can be made ahead and frozen for up to 3 months.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved to suit your needs.
- Troubleshooting: If the soup becomes too thick, thin it out with a little water or broth.
Want to level up this recipe?
Good quality chicken broth — A good broth is key to a flavorful soup. It pays for itself vs takeout. → Check price on Amazon
Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb dried split peas
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 carrots, diced
- 3 celery stalks, diced
- 1 ham hock
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
Optional Toppings
- Crusty bread
- Chopped fresh parsley
- Shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Sort and rinse the split peas. Place them in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil.
- Step 2: Add the onion, carrots, celery, garlic, ham hock, bay leaves, thyme, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Reduce heat, cover, and let simmer for 25-30 minutes, until the peas are tender.
- Step 3: Remove the ham hock and set aside to cool. Once cool enough to handle, shred the meat and return it to the pot. Use an immersion blender to blend the soup until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Step 4: Serve hot, topped with your choice of toppings. Enjoy!
Notes
- Chef tip: To make this soup even heartier, you can add some diced potatoes along with the vegetables.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the ham hock with smoked sausage or bacon for a similar flavor.
- Make-ahead: This soup can be made ahead and frozen for up to 3 months.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved to suit your needs.
- Troubleshooting: If the soup becomes too thick, thin it out with a little water or broth.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in a pot on the stove over medium heat until warmed through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: This soup can be made ahead and frozen for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 5g
- Carbs: 50g
- Fiber: 15g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 30mg
- Sat. Fat: 1g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe FAQs
Yes, this soup can be made ahead and frozen for up to 3 months.
If the soup becomes too thick, thin it out with a little water or broth.
Yes, you can make this soup in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
You can substitute the ham hock with smoked sausage or bacon for a similar flavor.
Omit the ham hock and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to make this soup vegetarian.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
