Description
This hearty Split Pea Soup is a comforting and nutritious dish perfect for a cozy meal. Packed with vegetables, split peas, and optional ham for extra flavor, this soup is easy to make and ideal for chilly days.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetable Mixture:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
Seasonings and Peas:
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 pound dried green split peas, rinsed and sorted (about 2 cups)
Liquid and Meat:
- 6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth or chicken broth
- 1 cup diced ham or ham bone (optional)
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté onion, garlic, carrots, and celery for 5–6 minutes until softened.
- Add Seasonings and Peas: Stir in thyme, black pepper, smoked paprika, and bay leaf. Add split peas and broth. Bring to a boil.
- Simmer: Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 45–60 minutes until peas are tender and soup thickens. Remove bay leaf and ham bone if used.
- Blend (Optional) and Season: Blend for a smoother texture if desired. Season with salt to taste.
- Serve: Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit the ham and use vegetable broth.
- The soup thickens as it cools, add more broth or water when reheating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 14g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
