Slow Cooker Split Pea Stew
46 Comments Dec 19, 2016
Updated Jun 25, 2025
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Classic creamy split pea soup with chunks of hearty vegetables and ham. If you are a split pea lover you must try this recipe.
Hi all! Do you love split pea soup? I’m guessing you do if you clicked to get here to this recipe. I love split pea soup, but it seems not quite enough to be a complete meal. I added loads of thick-cut veggies to my classic split pea recipe and made it a thick and satisfying stew.
Split Pea Stew Ingredients
Dry split peas that break down into a thick, hearty base
A mix of ham and veggies for flavor and texture
Chicken broth and thyme to bring everything together
Optional ham bone adds extra richness while it simmers
Cook’s Notes
The ham bone is optional, but it adds tons of extra flavor if you have one on hand. (I use the ham bone from my leftover apple and clove ham)
Cut the potatoes and veggies into large chunks so they hold up during the long cook time.
Once the split peas are cooked and stirred, the stew thickens naturally—no blending is needed.
My Serving Suggestions
Serve immediately, if the soup thickens too much before you can eat, add more broth or hot water.
Top the soup with crackers (oyster or saltine). Fresh ground pepper and a touch of sour cream if desired.
Add a side of cornbread or garlic bread.
Featured Comment
“Delicious! I made this last night and my home smelled great. I’ll be enjoying soup all week.”
– Susan
Slow Cooker Split Pea Stew
How to Video
Ingredients
- 1 lb. dry split peas
- 7 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups ham pieces or cubed ham
- leftover ham bone, optional
- 4 cups quartered baby red potatoes
- 1 white onion,, diced
- 4 carrots,, sliced large
- 3 celery ribs, sliced large
- 1 tsp. dried leaf thyme
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
- 1 bay leaves
Instructions
- Add everything to the slow cooker, stir.
- Cover and cook on LOW For 8-9 hours, without opening the lid during the cooking time.
- When the cooking time is up remove and discard ham bone (if used) and bay leaves.
- Stir the soup gently until the spit peas melt throughout the stew.
- Serve and enjoy!
Sarah’s Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
See my other slow cooker soup recipes here:
Slow Cooker Lentil Soup and Ham and Potato Soup are both comforting, easy options with plenty of flavor.
Beef Barley Soup is a hearty, old-school favorite that never disappoints.
Potato Cheese Soup and Tuscan Chicken Soup are rich, cozy picks that feel like comfort in a bowl.
Cauliflower Soup, Slow Cooker Chicken Stew, and Crockpot Beef Stew round out the list with warm, satisfying goodness.
Super easy and very good.
Excellent! And easy. Thank you
Give your kid some time to come around. I’m 50 and I still hate peas, but I can stomach a really flavorful (bacon or ham, veggies, etc) split pea soup 😉
I just made this for dinner and it was great!
I added 2 cups of leftover daikon. I didn’t have ham so I subbed a can of Spam. I didn’t have dried split peas but I used dried whole peas. I put my Crock-Pot on high for 6 hours. I seasoned to taste, adding two Sazon season packets. Ate this delicious soup with crusty bread and butter – wow!
This is definitely going into my saved recipes!
Sounds great! I love your additions.
Delicious!
I made this last night and my home smelled great. I’ll be enjoying soup all week.
I think recipe intended to instruct 3 ribs of celery, not 3 stalks… = )
Thanks for another great recipe. This is a keeper!
So glad you enjoyed it. I will fix that!!
Could I cook the split pea soup on high gif 4 hours?
Yes, it may need just a bit longer, it’s hard to say.
Looked so delicious. But the thyme leaves ruined it for me. I had to toss the entire thing. I will use the recipe again without the thyme leaves and add a bit of garlic. Anyone who likes thyme leaves will love this stew.
Can I cook in slow on high for 5 hours?
Yes, that should work fine 🙂
Thank you
Can I use kielbasa instead of ham?
Yes, that will work great.
I don’t eat pork so I cooked up some
smoked turkey legs. It was the bomb.
I believe polish sausage would work too. Just figure out how much meat you like.
DEVINE
Do you peel the potatoes? It looks like it but not sure.
I did not