Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup With Ham

You know that moment when you're staring at a leftover ham bone after the holidays, wondering what to do with it? Three years ago, I almost tossed ours after Christmas dinner until John reminded me his grandmother always made split pea soup with ham from her holiday leftovers.

That conversation changed everything in our Nashville kitchen. I pulled out my slow cooker, grabbed a bag of split peas, and started what's become one of our go-to winter meals.

This split pea soup is the kind of recipe that fills your house with the most wonderful smell while you're out running errands or helping with homework. Bradley actually looks up from his phone when he walks in and catches the aroma, which tells you something. The best part? It practically makes itself in the slow cooker, and that ham bone turns into the most incredible smoky, rich flavor you can't get any other way.

If you're looking for more comforting soup recipes, my loaded baked potato soup is another family winner that's perfect for busy weeknights.

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love This Split Pea Soup Recipe
• Ingredients For Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup
• How To Make Split Pea Soup In The Slow Cooker
• Storage And Reheating Your Split Pea Soup
• Split Pea Soup Variations To Try
• Tips For Making The Best Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup
• Frequently Asked Questions About Split Pea Soup
• Recipes You May Like
• Making Split Pea Soup Your New Winter Staple
• Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup With Ham

Why You'll Love This Split Pea Soup Recipe

Easy preparation - Just 10 minutes of chopping vegetables and you're done with the hard part. The slow cooker does all the work while you go about your day.

Budget-friendly comfort food - Split peas cost next to nothing, and you're using that ham bone you might have thrown away. This feeds our family of four with plenty of leftovers for under fifteen dollars.

Incredibly creamy texture - No cream needed here. The peas break down naturally into the silkiest, most satisfying soup that coats your spoon perfectly.

Packed with protein and fiber - Each bowl gives you a solid nutritional boost without feeling heavy. I love knowing the kids are getting something wholesome.

Freezer-friendly meal prep - Make a big batch and freeze it in portions. I portion ours into containers so we can grab lunch anytime we need it.

Flexible cooking methods - Works beautifully in either a slow cooker or Instant Pot, depending on your schedule and what you have available.

Ingredients For Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup

the soup base:

• 16 ounces dried green split peas (rinsed and drained)
• 2 carrots, diced (about 1 cup)
• 2 ribs celery, diced (about 1 cup)
• ½ cup diced white or yellow onion
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic

For the flavor:

• ⅓ cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
• 1 dried bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 meaty ham bone

For the liquid:

• 6 cups low sodium chicken broth (divided)

How To Make Split Pea Soup In The Slow Cooker

Slow Cooker Method

1. Layer the ingredients starting with the split peas at the bottom of your slow cooker. Add the carrots, celery, onion, garlic, parsley, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Place the ham bone on top of everything.
2. Pour in the chicken broth slowly, using just enough to cover the ingredients (usually 4 to 5 cups). Save the remaining broth for later in case you need to thin the soup.
3. Set your slow cooker to LOW and cook for 6 to 8 hours. I usually stir it once or twice during cooking and check if it needs more broth to stay at the right level.
4. Remove the ham bone carefully when the peas are tender and soft. Transfer it to a cutting board and let it cool slightly.
5. Pull off any remaining ham from the bone, tear it into small bite-sized pieces, and add it back to the soup. Toss the bone and bay leaf.
6. Mash some peas against the side of the slow cooker with a spoon to create that creamy texture. Stir everything together and add more broth if you want it thinner.
7. Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper before serving.

Instant Pot Method

1. Set your 6-quart Instant Pot to SAUTE and toggle to MORE. When the display shows HOT, add 1 tablespoon of oil.
2. Add the vegetables (carrots, celery, onion, and garlic) and sauté for about 3 minutes until they start to soften. Hit CANCEL.
3. Add all remaining ingredients including the full 6 cups of broth. Secure the lid, select MANUAL, and cook on HIGH pressure for 14 minutes.
4. Allow natural release for 10 minutes after cooking, then manually release any remaining pressure.
5. Remove the bay leaf and transfer the ham bone to a cutting board. Pull away the ham, chop it, and return it to the soup. Season to taste.

Storage And Reheating Your Split Pea Soup

Refrigerator storage - Transfer cooled soup to an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days. The soup actually gets thicker as it sits, which I personally love.

Freezer storage - This soup freezes beautifully for 3 to 4 months. I divide ours into individual serving containers so we can thaw just what we need for lunch.

Reheating instructions - Thaw frozen soup overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium heat. You'll probably want to add a splash of water or chicken broth because it thickens up quite a bit.

Texture tip - Split pea soup gets thicker as it sits, so don't worry if it seems too thin right after cooking. Just add liquid when reheating to get your preferred consistency.

Split Pea Soup Variations To Try

Swap the ham bone for a ham hock or ham shank if that's easier to find at your grocery store. I've done this when we haven't had a holiday ham recently.

Make it vegetarian by skipping the ham bone entirely and using vegetable broth instead. Add smoked paprika (about 1 teaspoon) for that smoky depth you'd miss from the bone.

Add more vegetables like diced potatoes or chopped kale in the last hour of cooking. Amy loves when I throw in some baby spinach right before serving.

Adjust the thickness by using less broth for a thicker, stewier soup or more for a thinner consistency. We prefer ours on the thicker side.

Try different herbs like rosemary instead of thyme, or add a splash of apple cider vinegar at the end for brightness.

Tips For Making The Best Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup

No soaking required - Split peas cook perfectly without any pre-soaking, unlike dried beans. This makes them so much easier to work with when you're in a hurry.

Don't skip rinsing the peas though. I learned this the hard way when I found some tiny stones in my first batch. A quick rinse in a fine-mesh strainer saves you from any unpleasant surprises.

Use a meaty ham bone if you can find one. The more meat left on it, the more ham you'll have in your finished soup. Check your grocery store's meat counter if you don't have a leftover one.

Stir occasionally during cooking to prevent sticking and check the liquid level. Every slow cooker runs a bit differently, so yours might need more or less broth.

Adjust seasoning at the end because the ham bone adds saltiness as it cooks. Always taste before adding more salt.

Let it sit before serving if you have time. The flavors get even better after resting for 15 minutes or so.

Frequently Asked Questions About Split Pea Soup

Recipes You May Like

• Broccoli Cheddar Soup - Another creamy, comforting soup that's perfect for cold Nashville evenings
• Loaded Baked Potato Soup - Rich and satisfying with all the toppings Bradley loves
• Slow Cooker Beef Stew - Another set-it-and-forget-it meal that fills the house with amazing smells

Making Split Pea Soup Your New Winter Staple

This slow cooker split pea soup has earned its spot in our regular dinner rotation, especially during those busy weeks when I need something easy but still homemade.

The kids have actually learned to recognize the smell when they walk in from school, and even Bradley will come grab a bowl without me asking. That's pretty much the highest compliment a recipe can get in our house.

Give this a try after your next holiday ham, and you'll see why we always look forward to those leftover bones now. Save this recipe on Pinterest so you can find it again when you need it!

Happy cooking, and here's to many more cozy soup nights with your family.

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