Slow Cooker Split Pea Stew

By Sarah Olson

46 Comments

Dec 19, 2016Updated Feb 22, 2024

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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.

close up of split pea soup in a slow cooker with large wooden ladle in it.
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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.

This recipe is great for using leftover ham, and if you have a leftover ham bone, use that too in this recipe. I had tons of leftover ham after making my Slow Cooker Apple and Clove Ham, that leftover ham worked great in this recipe.

split peas, ham, red potatoes, carrots, onion, and seasoning in a slow cooker.

In addition to the split peas, ham and veggies I add bay leaves, black pepper and dried thyme. I can’t make split pea without dried thyme, it really makes the flavor of the split peas pop. Make sure to use the dried leaf thyme, not ground.

uncooked split pea stew in a slow cooker.

I also add 7 cups of chicken stock, this may seem like a lot, but it’s just the right amount for the peas to melt into to and have enough broth for the veggies without being too thick.

scoop of split pea stew coming from a slow cooker.

I was pleasantly surprised how good the potatoes tasted in this soup, a match made in heaven with the creamy peas.

ultra close up shot of split peas stew with large chunks of carrots and potatoes.

This is my new favorite soup, I can’t get enough of it! Though my 7-year old wouldn’t touch this soup with a 10-foot pole, I think someday she’ll come around to love split pea soup as much as my husband and I do.

3 bowls of split pea stew on a wooden table.

See my other slow cooker soup recipes here:

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split pea stew in a slow cooker with wooden ladle in it.

Slow Cooker Split Pea Stew

4.43 from 7 votes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 9 hours
Total Time: 9 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 10
By: Sarah Olson
Classic split pea with big chunks of veggies to make it even heartier.
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How to Video

Equipment

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

Recipe values are approximate, please use your own calculations if you require a special diet. Values are for 1/10 of recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 225kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 938mg | Potassium: 838mg | Fiber: 13g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 4220IU | Vitamin C: 18.3mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 2.9mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

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46 Comments

  1. Bill Enloe says:

    4 stars
    Super easy and very good.

    Reply
  2. Marty says:

    Excellent! And easy. Thank you

    Reply
  3. Robert says:

    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 😉

    Reply
  4. Stacy says:

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Sounds great! I love your additions.

      Reply
  5. Susan Stephenson says:

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
    1. Sarah Olson says:

      So glad you enjoyed it. I will fix that!!

      Reply
    2. Andrea Trubody says:

      Could I cook the split pea soup on high gif 4 hours?

      Reply
      1. Sarah Olson says:

        Yes, it may need just a bit longer, it’s hard to say.

  6. Maureen King says:

    3 stars
    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.

    Reply
  7. Carolyn says:

    Can I cook in slow on high for 5 hours?

    Reply
    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Yes, that should work fine 🙂

      Reply
      1. Carolyn says:

        Thank you

  8. Karin says:

    Can I use kielbasa instead of ham?

    Reply
    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Yes, that will work great.

      Reply
    2. Lesia Coolest Mom On Planet Earth says:

      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.

      Reply
  9. Susan says:

    5 stars
    DEVINE

    Reply
  10. Courtney says:

    Do you peel the potatoes? It looks like it but not sure.

    Reply
    1. Sarah Olson says:

      I did not

      Reply