Creamy, smooth, and easy to make, this Crockpot Split Pea Soup with Ham is a classic recipe you must try in the slow cooker.
If you love the comfort food spilt pea soup, then put this on your recipe list ASAP. Put my Split Pea Stew on your list for next week!
I worked as a waitress for years; the soup du jour on Thursday was always split pea with ham. It was crazy how many people came in just to order the split pea soup. Served with a big hunk of cornbread and honey butter, I really can’t think of a better meal.
Recipe Ingredients:
Not many ingredients in this soup, but the results are spectacular.
- Dried Split Peas – One pound of dried split peas, make sure there are no rocks or dirt clumps in them as you add to the slow cooker.
- Vegetables – Diced carrots and onions. Celery can be added as well.
- Ham – Diced ham, can be freshly bought or left overs.
- Dried Thyme – Dried thyme goes great with split peas.
- Chicken Boullion Cubes – This will flavor the soup and add saltiness. No salt is need in this recipe.
- Water – 7 cups of water is the perfect amount of water for one pound of peas.
Step-by-Step Directions
Step One – Add everything to the slow cooker. Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 9-10 hours.
Step Two – Take a whisk or spoon and stir the soup when the cooking time is up. The peas will dissolve into the broth.
What to serve with this:
Good as is in a mug or choose one or more of these options:
- Saltine or oyster crackers
- French bread or focaccia bread
- Cornbread
- Side salad with dressing
How to make this vegetarian:
- If you would like to make this vegetarian omit the ham.
- Then substitute the chicken bouillon cubes for Not
Chick’n Bouillon Cubes. I find these bouillon cubes in the health food section of my local store. - Or you can use 7 cups of vegetable broth or stock.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Split pea soup is very healthy, and using diced ham instead of ham bone cuts back on fat in the recipe. Though this soup is healthy, it still tastes like comfort food!
Yes, there is no difference between yellow and green peas other than the color. Though, some say yellow split peas are slightly sweeter.
No! The slow cooker will soften them perfectly into a velvety, silky soup.
After split pea soup has been prepared, it thickens when the lid has been taken off or refrigerated. Add a splash of water or chicken broth and stir, and the soup will be a perfect consistency again.
Want to use a ham bone instead of ham? Use one large or two small ham bones to replace the diced ham. Shred the ham off the bones and add to the soup when the cooking time is up. Discard the ham bones and fat.
You can make this into a freezer meal! You place all the ingredients in a ziplock bag (except the water) and freeze until ready to cook. Thaw, add contents of the bag to slow cooker, add water and cook as directed on the recipe card.
Split pea soup will keep the fridge for up to five days or three months in the refrigerator. You will need to add water to thin out the soup, for it will thicken considerably after storing.
Can I use Hurst’s Hambeens Spilt Pea Soup Mix with Ham in this recipe?
- Yes, though Hurst’s Spilt Pea mix package size is 20 ounces compared to the 16 ounces of split peas that I use in this recipe. Add 1 more cup of water if you use Hurst’s Split Pea Mix.
- Omit the chicken bouillon if you use the included ham seasoning packet. Be sure to wait until the end of the cooking time to add the ham seasoning packet.
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Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup Recipe
Equipment Needed:
Ingredients:
- 16 oz. dried split peas
- 1 onion diced
- 2 carrots diced
- 2 cups ham diced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 chicken bouillon cubes
- 7 cups of water
Instructions:
- Add the split peas (no need to pre-soak), onion, carrots, thyme, ham, chicken bouillon cubes and water to the slow cooker. Stir.
- Cover and cook on low for 9-10 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.
- When cooking time is done, whisk the soup until creamy.
How to Video:
Recipe Notes:
- Yes, though Hurst’s Spilt Pea mix package size is 20 ounces compared to the 16 ounces of split peas that I use in this recipe. Add 1 more cup of water if you use Hurst’s Split Pea Mix.
- Omit the chicken bouillon if you use the included ham seasoning packet. Be sure to wait until the end of the cooking time to add the ham seasoning packet.
Nutrition Information:
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
Best Pea Soup recipe I ever made. DELICIOUS
This is wonderful split pea soup! Everyone I share it loves it! Thank you
Love that you post nutritional facts. I have kidney disease and have to watch sodium and potassium numbers closely. Any help will be appreciated when posting recipes. Hard to follow certain recipes with my problem. God bless have a great day!
I made this for my daughter and me, and it was delicious! Made it exactly as written (except used only half the thyme). Next time I make this I think I will add some celery and a little salt and pepper, but it was great just as written!
I would like to know if I Can use ham broth instead of chicken broth?
Yes! I think that would be even better. I’ve never seen it to buy.
Can you add garlic and if so how much
I wouldn’t add more than 1 clove, would over power the other flavors.
Can you use chicken instead of ham, need less salt.
Yes! Would be good. Use low sodium chicken broth instead of the cubes.
great with leftover ham from the Holidays! I made corn bread or corn muffins with it.Yummy!
Wow! That looks really tasty!
Yes, it’s packaged cooked ham steak. 🙂
Sorry that part is confusing. After the soup is done, you take the reserved ham, sauté that ham in maple and butter on the stove top. Then top the soup with it. 🙂
How would this work with chicken broth instead of water and bullion cubes?
Just fine! I often use chicken broth for this recipe when I have it.
This is so good! After 10 hours, I stirred this up briskly to blend the peas and then added more bouillon and also 1T butter to make it smoother.
I’m so glad you liked it Kathleen! It’s one of my favorites!
Do you need to soak the split peas beforehand?
No need to presoak the split peas 🙂
LOOKS LIKE A VERY TASTY RECIPE,,,,!!