Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup with Ham
In short: Dried green split peas, carrots and a smoked ham hock cooked slowly until the soup is thick, smoky and full of tender shreds of ham. It takes about 8 h 15 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 8 h
- Total
- 8 h 15 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 365 kcal
Split pea soup is one of the cheapest and most satisfying soups you can make, and the slow cooker handles it with no stirring. Dried peas collapse into a thick, creamy base as they cook, while a smoked ham hock flavors the pot and gives you shreds of tender meat. No soaking is needed. Serve it with rye bread or crusty rolls, and expect it to thicken further overnight in the fridge.
Instructions
- Rinse the split peas in a sieve under cold water and pick out any stones or discolored peas.
- Put the peas, ham hock, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, bay leaves, thyme, pepper and water into the slow cooker. Do not add salt yet, since the ham is salty.
- Cover and cook on low for 8 to 9 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours, until the peas have broken down and the soup is thick.
- Lift out the ham hock and bay leaves. Pull the meat from the bone, discard the skin and bone, and shred the meat.
- Stir the meat back into the soup. For a smoother texture, blend or mash a third of the soup first, then return it to the pot.
- Taste, add salt if needed and stir in the vinegar. Serve hot, thinning with a splash of hot water if the soup is too thick.
Tips
- Skip the ham and use 2 teaspoons of smoked paprika and vegetable stock for a vegetarian soup with a smoky taste.
- Old peas can stay firm. If the peas are not soft after 9 hours, add a pinch of baking soda and cook another hour.
Questions and answers
Do I need to soak split peas?
No. Split peas break down without soaking, which is why they suit the slow cooker. Just rinse them well.
Can I freeze split pea soup?
Yes. Cool it and freeze in portions for up to 3 months. The soup thickens on freezing, so thin it with water or stock when you reheat it.
Should split pea soup be thick or thin?
Thick and creamy, almost like a purée with some texture. Add hot water to loosen the soup to your taste.
How long does it take to make Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup with Ham?
About 8 h 15 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 8 h of cooking.
How many calories are in Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup with Ham?
About 365 kcal per serving, with 25 g of protein, 54 g of carbohydrates and 6 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 365 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 25 g |
| Carbohydrates | 54 g |
| Fat | 6 g |
| Fiber | 20 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 780 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
