Split Pea Soup with Ham
This Split Pea Soup with Ham recipe is a quintessential comfort dish, perfect for chilly days. Made with a savory blend of split peas, ham, carrots, onions, and celery, it combines rich, smoky flavors with a hearty texture. Enhanced with fresh thyme and simmered to perfection, this soup not only offers deep flavor but also nutritional benefits, making it an ideal choice for a satisfying family meal.
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 7 hours hrs
1/4 cup unsalted butter 2 cups chopped onion 1 cup diced carrot 1 cup diced celery 1/4 to 1 teaspoon kosher salt to taste 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper plus additional to taste 2 cloves garlic minced 1 pound dried split peas rinsed and sorted 1 meaty ham bone or two smoked ham hocks 1 large bay leaf 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves chopped, divided 6 cups chicken stock 2 cups water 1 cup diced ham croutons for serving
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In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, and celery. Season with salt and pepper. Sauté until vegetables are soft.
Transfer the sautéed vegetables to the slow cooker.
To the slow cooker, add the rinsed split peas, minced garlic, ham bone or smoked ham hocks, bay leaf, and half of the chopped thyme.
Pour in the chicken stock and water, ensuring the liquids cover the peas and vegetables.
Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, until the split peas are tender and the soup has thickened.
About 30 minutes before the cooking time is up, add the diced ham to the slow cooker.
Remove the ham bone or hocks and the bay leaf. Discard them.
Stir in the remaining thyme and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Optionally, garnish with croutons or a sprinkle of fresh herbs for added flavor and texture.