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Hearty Split Pea Soup with Ham Bone for Ultimate Comfort

pea soup - Tasty
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Make this thick, rich Split Pea Soup with Ham Bone for the ultimate comfort food dinner. This hearty pea soup recipe is wholesome, old-fashioned, and naturally creamy without added cream. It is perfect for cozy weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound dried green split peas, rinsed and picked over
  • 1 ham bone (about 1 to 1.5 pounds)
  • 6 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste after removing ham bone)

Instructions

  1. Rinse the split peas under cold water and remove any small stones or debris. Set aside.
  2. Place the ham bone, rinsed split peas, water or broth, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, thyme, bay leaf, and pepper into a large stockpot or Dutch oven.
  3. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot partially, and let it simmer.
  4. Simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. The peas should break down, creating a thick, creamy texture. If the soup becomes too thick, add small amounts of hot water or broth until you reach your desired consistency.
  5. Remove the ham bone. Let it cool slightly, then shred any usable meat from the bone and return the meat to the soup. Discard the bone and bay leaf.
  6. Taste the soup and add salt as needed. Remember that the ham bone adds saltiness, so season carefully.
  7. Continue to simmer for 15 more minutes to allow flavors to meld. Serve hot with crusty bread for a cozy dinner idea.

Notes

  • For a quicker cooking method, use an Instant Pot: Combine all ingredients except salt in the pot. Cook on High Pressure for 20 minutes, then allow a Natural Pressure Release for 15 minutes before manually releasing any remaining pressure. Shred ham and season.
  • If you do not have a ham bone, substitute with 1 cup of diced smoked ham or bacon, adding it during the last 30 minutes of simmering.
  • To achieve an extra thick and creamy soup, mash about 1 cup of the cooked peas against the side of the pot with a spoon before stirring them back in.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://juliameal.com/pea-soup-thick-creamy-ham-bone-recipe/