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    Home » Soups

    Split Pea Soup

    Published: Mar 13, 2023 · by Nico

    Jump to Recipe

    Split pea soup is a hearty, nourishing, and creamy meal perfect for feeding your whole family as it's flavorful, satiating, and packed with veggies.

    It's an easy one-pot dinner that you can make with protein-rich dried split peas and a few other simple ingredients.

    Split peas soup with baguette

    Check out our Best Soup Recipes

    On this page:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Variations
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Questions
    • Make Ahead & Storage
    • More Hearty Soup Recipes
    • More Recipes with Peas
    • Recipe

    Split pea soup has been a thing since Greek and Roman times, as split peas have been cultivated in the Mediterranean regions since 500 BC.

    We are the biggest fans of this beautiful legume because it's one of the cheapest and healthiest sources of protein, it takes little time to cook, especially compared to other legumes, and it tastes delicious.

    100 grams (3.5 ounces) of dried split peas have 22 grams of protein and cost less than 40 cents. That's a bargain! Plus, they are packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

    Also, they are incredibly versatile, and the best thing about them is that they don't require soaking; you can cook them right away and let them simmer on the stovetop for about 30 minutes.

    This soup comes together in approximately 45 minutes; it's incredibly tasty, nutritious, and easy to make.

    Split peas soup with hand and baguette

    Ingredients

    Split pea soup ingredients

    Split peas

    There are two main varieties of dried split peas: yellow and green split peas.

    For this soup, we use green split peas. You can also make it with yellow ones.

    Carrot, Onion, Celery

    We add carrot, onion, and celery to make a tasty flavor base to boost the soup's flavor.

    You can use white or yellow onions or substitute leeks for onions.

    Garlic

    We use fresh garlic, crushed, minced, or grated. We haven't tried using garlic powder.

    Olive oil

    Olive oil or, even better, extra virgin olive oil is for gently frying the vegetables and making the flavor base. It's essential to make the soup flavorful, so we recommend not skipping this step.

    Herbs

    Split peas are an excellent flavor match with bay leaves, thyme, oregano, rosemary, and sage.

    We use dried thyme, oregano, and bay leaves in our recipe, but you can pick your favorite combination of herbs.

    Cumin

    Cumin adds a fragrant aroma to the split pea soup, giving it a Mediterranean spin. You'll need a teaspoon of ground cumin.

    You can substitute smoked paprika for cumin to give it a smokey flavor.

    Potatoes

    Potatoes make the soup even heartier and more fulfilling. They also make the recipe creamier and more delicate.

    The soup is delicious with and without potatoes, so you can choose whether to add them.

    You can use Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes for this recipe.

    Spinach

    Spinach is optional. However, we love adding it in at the end, shortly before serving the soup. You can add fresh or frozen spinach.

    Spinach adds color and texture, and we love the taste combined with the spit peas.

    You can substitute kale for spinach.

    Vegetable broth

    That's the primary liquid in our split pea soup. You can, of course, use chicken broth; however, we like to keep this recipe vegetarian so that the whole family can enjoy it.

    Salt and pepper

    We use sea salt and black pepper.

    Our split pea soup recipe is made without ham bone, ham hock, sour cream, and dairy, so it's suitable for most diets.

    Split peas soup with baguette

    Instructions

    Warm up the olive oil in a large soup pot or large dutch oven. We use an enameled dutch oven for our soups.

    Add coarsely chopped carrots, celery, and onion and fry them on medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring often.

    vegetable base for pea soup

    Then add grated garlic and ground cumin, and fry for one more minute or until you smell their aroma.

    garlic and cumin in the flavor base

    Add vegetable broth, green split peas, thyme, oregano, bay leaves, salt, and black pepper.

    Stir, then cover with a lid and bring to a boil on high heat, then crack the top open, and let simmer on medium-low heat until the split peas are tender.

    It will take between 30 and 45 minutes. Stir occasionally.

    split peas and vegetable broth in a pot

    If you want to add in the potatoes, do so 10 minutes after the soup starts to simmer.

    Peel and cut the potatoes into bite-size chunks before adding them in.

    Stir occasionally to prevent the split pea soup from sticking to the pot. Add more broth or water if necessary.

    Potatoes and vegetables in a pot

    When the split peas are tender, blend 2 to 3 cups of the soup with an immersion blender.

    While this step is optional, we recommend it to make the soup extra creamy.

    blender and split pea soup

    Give it a final stir, taste, and adjust for salt and texture, adding more broth or water if you want a thinner soup.

    Serve this delicious split pea soup in a bowl with fresh thyme, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, and warm crusty bread or croutons.

    Split peas soup with oil and spoon

    Variations

    Split pea soup with spinach

    Add fresh or frozen spinach right after blending the soup. You might need to add some water if the soup gets too thick.

    Let simmer for 5 more minutes so the spinach wilt; then serve with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and warm crusty bread.

    Split peas soup with spinach and hand

    Serving Suggestions

    Serve with bread or croutons:

    • Air fryer croutons or oven-baked croutons.
    • No-knead focaccia with rosemary.
    • Crostini - crunchy and crisp, perfect for dipping.
    • Naan bread - soft and fluffy, perfect for scooping up the soup.
    • homemade naan bread
      Naan Bread
    • focaccia with rosemary
      Focaccia
    • crostini
      Crostini Recipe
    • air fryer croutons
      Air fryer croutons

    Questions

    Do split peas need to be soaked before cooking?

    No, split peas don't need to be soaked before cooking. You can simmer or boil them right away. They'll take 30 to 45 minutes to cook.

    What is the best way to thicken split pea soup?

    The best way to thicken split pea soup is to blend some with an immersion blender so that some of the split peas turn into a puree that will make your soup creamy and delicious.

    Is split pea soup high in fiber?

    Yes. Split pea soup is high in healthy fiber and protein to help you stay nourished and satiated.

    Make Ahead & Storage

    Make Ahead: split pea soup is an excellent recipe to make ahead and for meal prep, as it keeps well for days, and its flavor gets even better as the ingredients meld in the fridge.

    Refrigerator: let the soup cool down completely, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.

    Freezer: you can freeze split pea soup for up to 3 months in a freezer-friendly container. Let the soup cool down completely before you put it in the freezer. Then, thaw it in the microwave, fridge, or pot as you warm it up.

    Reheat: warm leftovers in the microwave or on the stovetop. If the soup is too thick, add more water to thin it up.

    Split peas soup with silver spoon

    More Hearty Soup Recipes

    Get more wholesome dinner ideas with these easy, nourishing, and hearty soup recipes:

    • Vegetable soup
    • Tuscan soup
    • Kale soup
    • Lentil vegetable soup
    • Italian lentil soup
    • vegetable soup in a white bowl
      Vegetable Soup
    • Tuscan soup with spoon and bread
      Tuscan Soup
    • Lentil vegetable soup with spoon
      Lentil Vegetable Soup
    • red lentil soup with rosemary and bread
      Red Lentil Soup

    More Recipes with Peas

    If you like cooking with legumes and peas, find more green and delicious dinner inspiration here:

    • Couscous with vegetables
    • Asparagus pasta
    • Chickpea frittata muffins
    • Easy chickpea pasta salad
    • Tofu soup
    • couscous with vegetables
      Couscous with Vegetables
    • Chickpea flour muffin with peas
      Chickpea Frittata Muffins
    • tofu soup with spoon
      Tofu Soup
    • Asparagus pasta in a white bowl with asparagus tips
      Asparagus Pasta

    For more curries, stews, and soups, check out our soups category page.

    Recipe

    Split peas soup with spinach

    Split Pea Soup

    Author: Nico
    Split pea soup is a hearty, nourishing, and creamy meal perfect for feeding your whole family as it's flavorful, satiating, and packed with veggies.
    It's an easy one-pot dinner that you can make with protein-rich dried split peas and a few other simple ingredients.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Share Recipe
    5 from 2 votes
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 40 mins
    Total Time 45 mins
    Course Main
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 - 6 people
    Calories 372 kcal

    Equipment

    • Immersion blender or regular blender

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
    • 2 large carrots
    • 1 large onion
    • 2 stalks celery
    • 4 cloves garlic
    • 1½ teaspoon cumin
    • 6 cups vegetable broth start with 4 cups and add more if necessary
    • 2 cups green split peas dried
    • 1 bay leaf
    • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
    • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
    • 1½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • ¾ pound potatoes (optional)
    • 5 ounces (5 cups) spinach (optional)

    Instructions
     

    • Warm up the oil in a dutch oven then add coarsely chopped onion, carrot, and celery and fry them on medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring often.
      2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 2 large carrots, 1 large onion, 2 stalks celery
      vegetable base for pea soup
    • Add grated garlic and ground cumin and fry one more minute.
      4 cloves garlic, 1½ teaspoon cumin
      garlic and cumin in the flavor base
    • Add vegetable broth, green split peas, thyme, oregano, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper.
      Stir, cover with a lid, bring to a boil, crack top open, lower the heat, and simmer on medium-low heat until the split peas are tender (about 30 to 45 minutes).
      Add more broth if necessary; stir occasionally.
      6 cups vegetable broth, 2 cups green split peas, 1 bay leaf, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon dried thyme, 1½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
      split peas and vegetable broth in a pot
    • If you want to add potatoes, do so 10 minutes after you add the split peas. Peel and cut potatoes into bite-size chunks.
      ¾ pound potatoes
      Potatoes and vegetables in a pot
    • Blend 2 to 3 cups of the soup with an immersion blender.
      blender and split pea soup
    • Stir, taste and adjust for salt and consistency, adding more broth if you want a thinner soup.
      Serve this delicious split pea soup in a bowl with fresh thyme, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, and warm crusty bread.
      Split peas soup with oil and spoon

    VARIATION with SPINACH

    • Add fresh or frozen spinach right after blending the soup. You might need to add some water if the soup gets too thick.
      Let simmer for 5 more minutes so the spinach wilt; then serve with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and warm crusty bread.
      5 ounces (5 cups) spinach
      Split peas soup with spinach and hand

    Notes

    Nutritional information is an estimate for 1 large serving of split pea soup with potatoes and spinach out of 4 servings.
    MAKE AHEAD & STORAGE
    Make Ahead: split pea soup is an excellent recipe to make ahead and for meal prep, as it keeps well for days, and its flavor gets even better as the ingredients meld in the fridge.
    Refrigerator: let the soup cool down completely, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
    Freezer: you can freeze split pea soup for up to 3 months in a freezer-friendly container. Let the soup cool down completely before you put it in the freezer. Then, thaw it in the microwave, fridge, or pot as you warm it up.
    Reheat: warm leftovers in the microwave or on the stovetop. If the soup is too thick, add more water to thin it up.
     

    Nutritional Values

    Nutrition Facts
    Split Pea Soup
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 372 Calories from Fat 72
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 8g12%
    Saturated Fat 1g6%
    Trans Fat 0g
    Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
    Monounsaturated Fat 5g
    Cholesterol 0mg0%
    Potassium 1331mg38%
    Carbohydrates 61g20%
    Dietary Fiber 20g83%
    Sugar 10g11%
    Protein 18g36%
    Vitamin A 9575IU192%
    Vitamin B6 1mg50%
    Vitamin C 35mg42%
    Vitamin E 2mg13%
    Vitamin K 204µg194%
    Calcium 130mg13%
    Folate 246µg62%
    Iron 5mg28%
    Manganese 1mg50%
    Magnesium 122mg31%
    Zinc 2mg13%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Did you like this recipe?We are not much on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Leave us a comment below instead, it would mean the world to us 🙂

    If you liked this split pea soup, you might also enjoy:

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    « Air Fryer Asparagus
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Rachel

      March 24, 2023 at 2:30 pm

      5 stars
      Another winning recipe from you guys. The thyme went with the split peas really well. I used yellow ones as I didn't have the green but it was still delicious.Thank you!

      Reply
      • Louise

        March 24, 2023 at 8:30 pm

        Amazing Rachel! I'm so happy you liked the soup, also with yellow split peas. That's a great tip!
        Have a great weekend when you get there 🙂
        All the best,
        Louise

        Reply

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