Erwtensoep (Dutch Split Pea Soup with Smoked Sausage)
In short: A thick, spoon-standing soup of split peas, smoked pork, celeriac and leek, finished with sliced smoked sausage. The Dutch winter classic. It takes about 2 h 40 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 2 h 10 min
- Total
- 2 h 40 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 730 kcal
Erwtensoep, also called snert, is a thick Dutch soup of split peas cooked with smoked pork, celeriac, leek and potato until a spoon nearly stands in it. Smoked sausage goes in at the end and is sliced into the pot. It is a winter staple, traditionally eaten after a cold day outdoors, and it tastes best on the second or third day. Serve it with dark rye bread and slices of smoked bacon.
Instructions
- Put the split peas, water and pork in a large pot. Bring to a boil, skim off the foam, then simmer partly covered for 45 minutes.
- Add the onion, celeriac, half the leeks, the carrots, bay leaves and thyme. Simmer for 45 minutes more, stirring now and then so the peas do not stick.
- Lift out the pork, cut the meat from the bones, dice it and return it to the pot.
- Add the potatoes and the remaining leeks and simmer for 20 minutes, until the potatoes begin to fall apart and the soup is thick.
- Add the sliced sausage and heat for 10 minutes. Stir in the salt and taste. Add a little hot water if the soup is too thick.
- Remove the bay leaves and let the soup rest for 10 minutes. Scatter with celery leaves and serve with rye bread and smoked bacon.
Tips
- Do not salt until the peas are soft, because early salt can keep them firm. Stir often toward the end, since thick soup catches on the base of the pot.
- Snert is best on day two. Cool and refrigerate it, then reheat gently with a splash of water, because it thickens a lot overnight.
Questions and answers
Can I make erwtensoep ahead?
Yes, it is better the next day. Keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days and loosen it with water when reheating.
Can I freeze split pea soup?
Yes. Freeze it for up to 3 months, then reheat slowly and stir well.
Can I make erwtensoep vegetarian?
Skip the pork and sausage, use vegetable stock in place of water and add smoked paprika or smoked tofu for the smoky note.
How long does it take to make Erwtensoep (Dutch Split Pea Soup with Smoked Sausage)?
About 2 h 40 min in total: 30 min of preparation and 2 h 10 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Erwtensoep (Dutch Split Pea Soup with Smoked Sausage)?
About 730 kcal per serving, with 42 g of protein, 75 g of carbohydrates and 30 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 730 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 42 g |
| Carbohydrates | 75 g |
| Fat | 30 g |
| Fiber | 18 g |
| Sugar | 9 g |
| Sodium | 1950 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
