Québécois Pea Soup (Soupe aux Pois)
Local name: Soupe aux pois
In short: Yellow split pea soup simmered with a smoked ham hock, carrots and summer savory until thick, a staple of Québec kitchens in winter. It takes about 2 h 20 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 2 h
- Total
- 2 h 20 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 340 kcal
Soupe aux pois is the winter soup of Québec, a thick, golden pot of yellow split peas simmered with a smoked ham hock, onion, carrot and a little summer savory. It is plain, filling food that cooks mostly on its own, and it tastes even better the next day. Traditionally it is served with crusty bread. Split peas are not soaked here, which keeps the recipe simple.
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook the onion, carrots and celery for 6 minutes until softened, then add the garlic for 1 minute.
- Add the split peas, ham hock, water, bay leaves, savory and pepper. Bring to a boil and skim off the foam.
- Lower the heat to a gentle simmer, partly cover and cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, stirring now and then, until the peas have broken down and the meat on the hock is tender.
- Lift out the hock, discard the skin and bones and shred the meat. Return the meat to the pot and remove the bay leaves.
- Stir in the salt. For a smoother soup, mash with a potato masher or blend a portion with an immersion blender, and thin with hot water if it is too thick.
- Serve hot, scattered with parsley and with crusty bread alongside.
Tips
- Add the salt at the end, since ham hocks vary a lot in saltiness. If you cannot find summer savory, thyme is a good substitute.
- The soup thickens in the fridge, so thin it with water or stock when reheating. Smoked bacon ends or a leftover ham bone can replace the hock.
Questions and answers
Do I need to soak split peas for soup?
No. Split peas turn soft in 1 1/2 to 2 hours without soaking. Just rinse them to remove dust.
Can I freeze pea soup?
Yes. Freeze it in portions for up to 3 months. It will thicken, so add a little water when you reheat it.
Can I make pea soup vegetarian?
Yes. Leave out the ham hock, use vegetable stock instead of water and add 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika for a smoky flavor.
How long does it take to make Québécois Pea Soup (Soupe aux Pois)?
About 2 h 20 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 2 h of cooking.
How many calories are in Québécois Pea Soup (Soupe aux Pois)?
About 340 kcal per serving, with 22 g of protein, 48 g of carbohydrates and 7 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 340 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 22 g |
| Carbohydrates | 48 g |
| Fat | 7 g |
| Fiber | 16 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 850 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
