Comforting and delicious, this Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup with Ham will convert even a pea hater, into a pea lover. Please, I beg of you, "Give Peas A Chance!"
*Disclaimer - This recipe was originally published in 2015. I'm working hard to update all my older recipes with recipe cards, new photos, and additional recipe information. But, getting to all of them will take time. Please bear with me. In the meantime let me assure you that this recipe is still a winner and one I'm sure you'll be well pleased with when you make it at home.
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My husband's least favorite vegetable is peas, so it was my quest to make a split pea soup that even he would enjoy. Personal challenge accepted. Game on!
I'm pleased to announce that even though my husband wasn't very thrilled when I told him that we were having split pea soup for dinner the day I had made this, while he was eating this Slow-Cooker Split Pea Soup with Ham, he told me how much he liked it and he gave it a full two thumbs up! Score!
Since this recipe doesn't call for a ham bone to flavor the soup, the best way I know to get the most flavor out of the ham is to brown it well in a skillet before adding it to the cooker.
Another way I added unexpected flavor to the pot is by stirring in some prepared salsa. Doing this gave the soup a lovely color and took away some of the "greenness" that I thought would be a turn-off for other pea-haters out there, like my husband.
SLOW-COOKER SPLIT PEA SOUP WITH HAM {PRINT THIS RECIPE}
Yield: 2 quarts Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 8 hours on low, 6 hours on high
4 tablespoons butter, divided
1½ pounds ham, cut into chunks
1 red onion, diced
2 carrots, peeled and chopped into small pieces
1 package of split peas
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon ground coriander
4 small bay leaves
2 quarts of chicken broth (I use low-sodium)
1 cup prepared salsa
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
-In a large skillet, brown the cut ham in 2 tablespoons of butter. Stir in the onion and carrots and cook, stirring occasionally, for approximately 5 minutes.
-Stir in the dried peas, salt, pepper, coriander, bay leaves, and about ¼ cup of the chicken broth, making sure to scrape up the browned bits at the bottom of the skillet.
-Carefully transfer the mixture into a 3-4 quart slow-cooker. Pour in the remaining chicken broth and stir in the prepared salsa. Cover and set the cooker for the preferred cooking time (6 hours on low - 8 hours on high).
-Right before serving stir in the lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of butter. Serve by ladling the soup into bowls, and serve along with some hot bread and a green salad.
You'll notice that the peas in this soup are not all mushy and soft, even after cooking for hours and hours in the cooker. I think that's what my husband appreciated most about the peas in this soup. They still had a soft little bite to them, so his whole "pea texture" thing was no longer an issue. Yay!
I'm so happy that my husband enjoyed this soup and that I have his blessing to make it again during the upcoming winter months. Slow-cooking is such a great way to prepare a meal early in the day for those days when making dinner at the end of the day is the last thing you want to do after work. Even if work means you've been painting and blogging all day long, in your pajamas
. LOL Just kidding. I always put my clothes on!
Although I do enjoy my slow-cooker quite a bit, I confess that I still have a long way to go before I can claim to be...
but I'm working on it...
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Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!
Stephanie Kirkos says
Slow cooker heaven! Such a fan of split pea soup. Yum!
Nancy Piran says
It is always a great day in the kitchen when we can make those small victories! The soup looks amazing!
Souffle Bombay says
This reminds me of my day...his fav!
Kim Bee says
I love this recipe, it's has such a great depth to it. I love all the amazing yummy flavour you added. This is split pea soup for a new era.
Angie Barrett says
Whatttt how can he hate peas. haha Peas are like totally one of my favorites! YAY for making the soup and for him liking it! Win!
Nutmeg Nanny says
Split pea soup is my husbands favorite! We can easily eat a whole pot of it for dinner. Love that this version is done in the slow cooker.
Michelle De La Cerda says
I haven't had split pea soon in who knows how long. This looks utterly delicious.
Heather Schmitt-Gonzalez says
I absolutely love split pea soup, but haven't had any since at least last year. I wish I could reach in and grab a bowl for myself, it looks incredible!
Cookin' Canuck says
My husband isn't a fan of split pea soup, so now I really want to make this to see if I can sway him. It looks so comforting and hearty, Renee!
Erin Dee says
Haha. How awesome that you were able to get your husband to like a pea dish! Good going. 🙂 I wish my husband were so dedicated to my veggie issues. 😉
Angie says
It's been so long since I made split pea soup. This recipe looks so good, I've got to make it again soon!
Andi Gleeson says
I love all the ham in there. Delicious!
Paula Jones says
I'm pretty sure I just need to leave my slow cooker on the counter now ; )
Megan Keno says
Soup with ham is one of my fall faves!!
Savory Experiments says
Any soup or dish made in the slow cooker is right up my alley this time of year. This looks like the perfect comfort food.
Kimberly Killebrew says
Split pea and ham soup has always been a favorite - such a great comfort soup! This slow cooker version looks so flavorful and delicious!
The Food Hunter says
nothing like a steamy bowl of split pea soup
Kacey Joanette says
I am not a huge pea lover either, but there is just something about split pea soup! My mother-in-law always makes me a vegetarian recipe, but your ham ones sounds divine and something my husband and daughter would love (because they sure love their meat!)