Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Dinner
This classic split pea soup is the ultimate comfort food. After making it dozens of times, I’ve discovered the trick to a creamy, hearty soup that’s better than takeout. Keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Cheddar Jalapeño Burgers and Easy Cornbread Stuffing Crab Cakes.
Why This Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Creamy and comforting
- Packed with flavor
- Better than takeout
- Perfect for cozy dinners
What You'll Need for Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Dinner
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Split peas
- Onion
- Carrots
- Celery
- Garlic
- Ham
- Vegetable broth
- Bay leaves
- Thyme
- Salt
- Pepper
- Olive oil
- Optional: Chopped parsley
- Optional: Crusty bread
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Split peas: Make sure to rinse and pick over the peas before cooking.
🛒 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 for Dinner
- Step 1: Rinse and pick over the split peas. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Cook until softened.
- Step 2: Add split peas, ham, vegetable broth, bay leaves, and thyme to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 25-30 minutes, until peas are tender.
- Step 3: Use an immersion blender to blend about half of the soup until creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with chopped parsley and crusty bread.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Dinner
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the peas. They can become mushy and lose their texture. To prevent this, keep an eye on them and test for doneness at 25 minutes.
- : For a smoother soup, blend more of it. For a chunkier soup, blend less.
- : Add a splash of vinegar at the end of cooking to brighten the flavors.
- : Make a big batch and freeze leftovers for easy meals later.
Storing & Reheating Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Dinner
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 up to 3 days ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.
Freezing Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Dinner
Freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, omit the ham and use vegetable broth.
- Best substitution: Lentils can be used as a substitute for split peas.
- Make-ahead: This soup freezes well. Make a big batch and freeze individual portions for easy meals later.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to suit your needs.
- Troubleshooting: If the soup is too thick, thin it out with a little water or more broth. If it's too thin, simmer it for a bit longer to reduce.
Want to level up this recipe?
Good quality vegetable broth — Makes a big difference in the flavor of the soup. A good broth is worth the investment. → Check price on Amazon
Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Split peas
- Onion
- Carrots
- Celery
- Garlic
- Ham
- Vegetable broth
Seasonings
- Bay leaves
- Thyme
- Salt
- Pepper
- Olive oil
Optional Toppings
- Chopped parsley
- Crusty bread
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse and pick over the split peas. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Cook until softened.
- Step 2: Add split peas, ham, vegetable broth, bay leaves, and thyme to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 25-30 minutes, until peas are tender.
- Step 3: Use an immersion blender to blend about half of the soup until creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with chopped parsley and crusty bread.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, omit the ham and use vegetable broth.
- Best substitution: Lentils can be used as a substitute for split peas.
- Make-ahead: This soup freezes well. Make a big batch and freeze individual portions for easy meals later.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to suit your needs.
- Troubleshooting: If the soup is too thick, thin it out with a little water or more broth. If it's too thin, simmer it for a bit longer to reduce.
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 the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: This soup can be made up to 3 days ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 5g
- Carbs: 50g
- Fiber: 16g
- Sugar: 6g
- 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 for Dinner FAQs
Yes, this soup can be made up to 3 days ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.
If the soup is too thin, simmer it for a bit longer to reduce. If it's still too thin, you can thicken it with a cornstarch slurry.
Yes, cook the vegetables in a pan first, then transfer to the slow cooker with the remaining ingredients. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
You can use smoked turkey, bacon, or even a vegetarian sausage for a similar flavor.
Yes, this soup freezes well. Freeze individual portions for easy meals later.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Dinner 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!
