Description
This comforting Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup combines nutrient-rich green split peas with savory ham, aromatic herbs, and fresh vegetables. Perfect for an easy, hands-off meal, this soup is cooked low and slow to develop deep flavors and a creamy texture without soaking the peas beforehand.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 16 oz. dried green split peas, sorted and rinsed (about 2 ¼ cups) – DO NOT SOAK
- 2 cups cubed ham
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion
- 1 cup diced carrots
- ½ cup diced celery
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
Herbs & Seasonings
- 2 rosemary sprigs or ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
- 2 thyme sprigs or ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
Liquids
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups water
For Serving
- Parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Add the rinsed split peas, cubed ham, chopped onion, diced carrots, diced celery, minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, bay leaf, chicken broth, and water into the slow cooker. Ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Cook the Soup: Place the lid on the slow cooker and set it to cook on HIGH for 4 hours, or on LOW for 8 to 9 hours. This slow cooking process allows the peas to soften fully and the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Season and Serve: After cooking, remove the bay leaf and herb sprigs. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste, bearing in mind that the ham may add sufficient saltiness. Stir well and ladle into bowls. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- You do not need to soak the split peas before cooking; rinsing is sufficient.
- If you prefer a smoother texture, you can use an immersion blender to puree part of the soup before serving.
- Adjust cooking time depending on your slow cooker, as times can vary slightly.
- Leftovers keep well and taste even better the next day stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the ham and use vegetable broth instead.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approximately)
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
