Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe
This classic split pea soup is the ultimate cozy dinner. After making it dozens of times, I’ve perfected the trick to keep it from being too bland. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy No-Bake Mango Coconut Rice Pudding and Easy Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce.
Why This Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe Is Pure Comfort
- It's creamy and comforting
- Packed with protein and fiber
- Better than takeout and freezes well
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 green split peas
- 1 lb smoked ham hocks
- 1 large onion
- 3 carrots
- 3 celery stalks
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Bay leaves
- Optional: Crispy bacon
- Optional: Shredded cheddar cheese
- Optional: Chopped fresh parsley
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- Split peas: Rinse and pick over before using.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Pot — Saves time and energy → See on Amazon
- Immersion blender — Makes blending soup easy → See on Amazon
How to Make Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe
- Soak peas: Cover peas with water, soak overnight. Drain and rinse.
- Sauté vegetables: Cook onion, carrots, celery, and garlic until soft.
- Cook soup: Add peas, ham hocks, seasonings, and bay leaves. Cook until peas are tender.
- Blend soup: Remove ham hocks, blend soup until creamy. Return ham hocks to pot.
- Serve: Ladle into bowls, top with optional toppings.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe
- Time-saving tip: Soak peas overnight to reduce cooking time.
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook peas to prevent them from turning to mush. Add more liquid if soup is too thick.
- Flavor boost: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little heat.
- Make-ahead: Soup freezes well. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
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 for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: Soup can be made up to 2 days ahead. Store in the fridge.
Freezing Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe
Freeze for up to 3 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in a pot on the stove over medium heat. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave, stirring occasionally.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: Adding a piece of ham fat to the pot while cooking adds extra flavor.
- Best substitution: Use canned split peas for a quicker version.
- Make-ahead: Soup can be made up to 2 days ahead. Store in the fridge.
- Scaling: This recipe can be doubled or halved easily.
- Troubleshooting: If soup is too thick, add more water or broth. If it's too thin, simmer until reduced.
Want to level up this recipe?
Good quality ham hocks — Adds rich flavor to the soup → Check price on Amazon
Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb green split peas
- 1 lb smoked ham hocks
- 1 large onion
- 3 carrots
- 3 celery stalks
- 4 cloves garlic
Seasonings
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Bay leaves
Optional Toppings
- Crispy bacon
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Soak peas: Cover peas with water, soak overnight. Drain and rinse.
- Sauté vegetables: Cook onion, carrots, celery, and garlic until soft.
- Cook soup: Add peas, ham hocks, seasonings, and bay leaves. Cook until peas are tender.
- Blend soup: Remove ham hocks, blend soup until creamy. Return ham hocks to pot.
- Serve: Ladle into bowls, top with optional toppings.
Notes
- Chef tip: Adding a piece of ham fat to the pot while cooking adds extra flavor.
- Best substitution: Use canned split peas for a quicker version.
- Make-ahead: Soup can be made up to 2 days ahead. Store in the fridge.
- Scaling: This recipe can be doubled or halved easily.
- Troubleshooting: If soup is too thick, add more water or broth. If it's too thin, simmer until reduced.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in a pot on the stove over medium heat.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave, stirring occasionally.
- Make ahead: Soup can be made up to 2 days ahead. Store in the fridge.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 5g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fiber: 15g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- 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, it keeps well in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Adding a ham bone or ham hocks while cooking adds lots of flavor. Also, season to taste.
Yes, cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
Yes, cook at high pressure for 15 minutes, then natural release.
Crusty bread, a side salad, or grilled cheese sandwiches go well with this soup.
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!
