11 July 2019

Split Pea Soup with Ham - Instant Pot or Not

Split Pea Soup with Ham - Instant Pot or Not (stovetop and slow cooker directions included as well) / www.delightfulrepast.com

Split Pea Soup served with either homemade bread or biscuits, or a well-made grilled cheese sandwich, makes a satisfying meal any time of year, though it's often thought of as a cold-weather food.

I used to make a big production of sauteeing the celery, carrots and onion first; but I discovered several years ago that the soup is just fine when you skip that step, and I haven't looked back. Part of my Streamlined Cooking

Perhaps because of the very long cooking of the stovetop and slow cooker versions, and the pressure cooking of the Instant Pot, all the flavor is drawn from the vegetables without precooking them.

It's one of my all-time favorite soups, but Mr Delightful is not a soup fan, so I get to eat the whole pot. Planning to have it for breakfast today as soon as I get this posted! Are you a soup fan?

Split Pea Soup with Ham - Instant Pot or Not (stovetop and slow cooker directions included as well) / www.delightfulrepast.com

If you like it, please Pin it and share it!

Split Pea Soup


(Makes 6 servings)

2 1/4 cups (16 ounces/454 grams) green split peas, washed and drained
6 cups (48 ounces/1.42 litres) water
1 cup chopped celery (2 large stalks)
1 cup chopped or coarsely grated carrots (2 large carrots)
1 cup chopped onion (1 medium)
1/3-to 1/2-pound (5.33 to 8 ounces/151 to 227 grams) piece of a fully cooked ham
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
3/4 teaspoon thyme leaves
3/4 teaspoon marjoram leaves
1 bay leaf

Garnish: sherry, sour cream, creme fraiche or plain yogurt and something green

For slow cooker: Cook on Low for 8 hours.

For stovetop: Increase water to 2.5 quarts. In at least a 4-quart pan (I use a 5 1/2-quart Dutch oven), combine all ingredients (except garnishes, of course). If you are going to puree the soup (I do not), vegetables can be just roughly chopped and ham added after the pureeing. Bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer, loosely covered, for about 3½ hours (or up to 5 hours, depending on the peas), stirring occasionally. Remove ham, chop it or shred it using two forks and add it back to soup. Remove bay leaf and adjust seasoning. Ladle into warm bowls and garnish.

For Instant Pot or other electric pressure cooker:

1 Put in all the ingredients at once. Give it a stir. Put the lid in place and turn the steam valve to Sealing. Press the Pressure Cook key. Leave the indicator lights on High Pressure and Normal temperature, and change the cooking time to 17 minutes. Press lit Keep Warm key to cancel that feature.

Note: It can take 20 to 25 minutes to reach working pressure. This varies with the amount and temperature of the ingredients in the pot. 

2 When the beep sounds, unplug Instant Pot. Set a kitchen timer for 25 minutes and allow the pressure to release naturally, then do a quick release by turning the steam valve to Venting.

3 When the float valve drops down, carefully remove the lid. If the peas are not done, put the lid back on, turn the steam valve to Sealing, and cook on High Pressure for 1 to 3 additional minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning.

Note: The soup can be kept in the refrigerator for several days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Once cooled or chilled, I like to put 2 1/2 cups of soup in my favorite 3-cup glass storage container and pop it in the freezer for two servings of soup on another day.


Disclosure: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon .com and affiliated sites. We are a ThermoWorks affiliate, earning a small commission at no cost to you on purchases made through our links. This helps cover some of the costs of running the blog. Thank you for your support. 

Jean

50 comments:

Thomas "Sully" Sullivan said...

Pea soup for breakfast. I thought I was the only one. This is one of my specialties, made thick, usually with Black Forest ham. Of course, mine will not be nearly as “scratch made” or as healthy as yours, but I haven’t told my taste buds this and their policy is don’t ask/don’t tell. Then I add insult to injury by thickening the whole shebang to concrete grade with crackers smeared with butter. Alas.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Sully, I'm just happy to hear you eat pea soup, from scratch or not. I've never been one for crushing crackers into my soup, but if I ever do I'll remember to smear them with butter first!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

I love split pea soup! This is almost exactly how I make it! Thanks for visiting my blog.!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Penny. Sometimes, most times, the simple things are the most enjoyable!

TONY said...

Pea and ham soup with some crusty bread to dip in it. Yes, definitely up for that Jean. I often have a hankering for cream of mushroom soup too, but nobody in my family likes mushrooms. I can dream about it though.
Soup for breakfast? Blimey I must think about that. No, just can't get my head around the thought of it. Breakfast? Are you sure Jean?

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Tony, I eat breakfast at about 10am (I've been 16:8 intermittent fasting for about a year and a half), after having been up about 5 hours, so it hardly seems like breakfast time, does it? But I've always eaten anything at any time really.

Michelle said...

I love split pea soup! I love my Instant Pot! Pinning this recipe.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Michelle, thank you. Pins are much appreciated!

Quinn said...

Pea soup is something that had fallen off my kitchen radar, but now it's back - thanks! And like you, I don't think of it as a winter food. In fact, I associate it with camping because that's the first time I ever had it, many years ago, outdoors. With summer sausage and crackers. Yum!

Tamago said...

Yes I'm soup fan! I like having soup with toast :-) Your split pea soup looks so delicious with beautiful green color!

Angie's Recipes said...

Pea and ham are such a classic combo. The soup looks really tasty.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

H, that *would* make a wonderful camping meal! Hadn't thought of that. Thank you!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Tamago. I was worried that the pea soup was not photogenic enough!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Angie. Yes, pea soup is a classic for a reason!

Cocoa and Lavender said...

As one who will never own an Insta pot, I really appreciate instructions for the stove top! (I am not against this new tool in the kitchen, I just don’t have room for it!) I also love your streamlined cooking tip – I never thought NOT to sauté the carrots, celery, and onions before… brilliant! I love split pea soup with ham… And, for me, it doesn’t even need the bread or the grilled cheese. It’s perfect as is. Will be making soon!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks so much, David! For a quick-cooking brothy soup, I would still saute; but not for a soup like this. LOVE streamlining!

Pauline Wiles said...

Thanks, Jean. Am in need of comfort food right now!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Uh oh, not sure I like the sound of that, Pauline, but thanks!

Prims By The Water said...

Love me a good pea soup. YUMMY! Janice

Treat and Trick said...

Your peas soup looks perfect and so yum! I love soup anytime of the day..

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Janice, thank you! I need to make another batch to portion out and freeze.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, T and T! Yep, any time!

Fran @ Gday Souffle said...

Love Split Pea Soup, especially when cooked with the ham on the bone! Nice that hubby doesn't like soup so you 'have your soup and eat it too!'

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Fran, I like your attitude! :D I don't often have a ham bone, but when I do, in it goes.

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Yum! I love split pea soup! I wouldn't want the ham though because ham, pork, etc doesn't agree with me. I do enjoy a good soup. About the only one I won't eat is onion and there's a story behind that one. I've never eaten soup for breakfast although I have eaten pizza on occasion. :-)

Lowcarb team member said...

Wouldn't say no to a tasty bowl of this :)

All the best Jan

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Sandi, I don't have a problem with ham, but I like the soup just as well without it. I'd love to hear your onion soup story! And, yes, pizza makes a wonnnnderful breakfast.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Jan! All organic, no sugar, it's all good!

ellen b. said...

This is a bookmarker post for sure. I love soup and this looks fabulous!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Ellen, thank you so much! Let me know how it turns out for you.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

The split pea soup sounds delicious. With some homemade bread, YUM! I love most soups. Thanks for sharing the recipe. Happy Sunday, enjoy your day. Wishing you a happy new week ahead

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Eileen. Happy birding! (Eileen takes beautiful bird photos.)

Margie said...

Looks great, Jean! I've never had split pea soup, but do enjoy other soups!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Margie. If you have never had split pea soup, you need to make this! There is no other soup quite like split pea soup. It's completely different from any lentil, bean or other legume soup.

Phil Slade said...

Yes, we are soup fans. Favourite is leek and potato with just a touch of carrot for colour.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Phil, I *love* leek and potato soup. https://www.delightfulrepast.com/2013/12/potato-leek-soup.html And I've never added a touch of carrot for colour, but now I will next time!

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

I do love soup, Jean! Lucky you in getting the whole pot for yourself. The soup is such a vibrant color, too. I love that you include all ways of preparing the soup...so thoughtful of you.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Kitty. You are so kind!

Clive said...

As promised I’m returning the favour from the #SeniSal. I cook very little for myself - living on my own it’s just so easy to go for a ready meal - but your recipe reminded me that my Mum used to make a great pea and ham soup when we were kids. I can taste it now! Thanks for the memories.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Clive, thanks so much. I really enjoy it when people share their childhood food memories with me. My own fondest childhood memories *all* seem to be food-related!

Miz Helen said...

We love Split Pea Soup and this looks like a great recipe! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday and hope you are having a great week.
Miz Helen

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Miz Helen. The Instant Pot sure does a good job of it--I was amazed.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Soup for breakfast is good! And I love split pea soup. Any soup, really. I'm in the camp that always sautes the onions and whatnot -- I really need to try skipping that step. Anyway, good recipe -- thanks.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, John. I still sauté the aromatics for a short-cooking soup, but for a long-cooking or pressure-cooked soup, I don't taste any difference between the sautéed or not.

Phil in the Kitchen said...

Lovely soup. I confess that I do think of the pea and ham combo as winter food but I could be persuaded otherwise. I'm not so sure that I could be persuaded to eat soup for breakfast but who knows?

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Phil. I definitely think you should try it outside of winter AND even for breakfast!

April J Harris said...

This definitely looks like real comfort food, Jean, whatever time of year you serve it! Thank you for sharing your delicious split pea soup with ham with the Hearth and Soul Link Party. I hope you are having a lovely weekend! The party is back on Monday, i hope to see you there!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you so much, April. I'll see you then!

Walking the Bean said...

Jean, thx for visiting.
This looks divine! I live a Keto lifestyle so I can't have it. However, it looks so good, I may cheat and give it a shot! :)

~Christopher

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Christopher, thank you! My nephew is thriving on the keto lifestyle. I'm a very careful eater, limiting my sugar intake to never more than 6 teaspoons in a day and 16:8 intermittent fasting, will do both for the rest of my life; so I appreciate that you said "keto lifestyle" rather than "keto diet."