Ham and Split Pea Soup Recipe

Dried split peas: These are the base of the soup, providing a creamy texture and earthy flavor.

Ham bone: Adds depth and a smoky flavor to the soup. Any leftover meat on the bone can be added back into the soup.

Ham: Chopped pieces of ham enhance the flavor and add protein.

Onion: Adds sweetness and depth to the soup.

Celery: Provides a subtle crunch and enhances the overall flavor.

Carrots: Add a touch of sweetness and color to the soup.

Garlic: Adds a robust and aromatic flavor.

Chicken broth: Forms the liquid base of the soup, adding richness and flavor.

Dried thyme: Adds a hint of earthiness and complements the other flavors.

Salt: Enhances all the flavors in the soup.

Black pepper: Adds a bit of heat and depth to the flavor profile.

For a richer flavor, consider sautéing the onion, celery, carrots, and garlic in a bit of olive oil before adding them to the pot. This will help to caramelize the vegetables and bring out their natural sweetness, enhancing the overall taste of the soup.

• dried split peas - Substitute with green lentils: Green lentils have a similar texture and cook faster, making them a good alternative.

• ham bone - Substitute with smoked turkey leg: Smoked turkey leg provides a similar smoky flavor and richness to the soup.

• chopped ham - Substitute with bacon: Bacon adds a smoky and salty flavor, similar to ham, but with a slightly different texture.

• chopped onion - Substitute with leeks: Leeks offer a milder, sweeter flavor compared to onions, which can complement the soup well.

• chopped celery - Substitute with fennel: Fennel provides a slight anise flavor that can add depth to the soup.

• chopped carrots - Substitute with parsnips: Parsnips have a sweet, earthy flavor that can enhance the soup similarly to carrots.

• garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder, more delicate garlic flavor that can work well in the soup.

• chicken broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth is a good alternative for a vegetarian version of the soup, providing a similar base flavor.

• dried thyme - Substitute with dried oregano: Dried oregano has a robust flavor that can replace thyme in the soup.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty and umami flavor to the soup, enhancing its depth.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper offers a similar heat but with a slightly different flavor profile, which can be interesting in the soup.

• Allow the ham and split pea soup to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation and keeps the soup fresh.
• Transfer the cooled soup into airtight containers. For easy portioning, consider using individual serving-sized containers.
• Label each container with the date of preparation. This ensures you can keep track of its freshness.
• Store the containers in the refrigerator if you plan to consume the soup within 3-4 days. The flavors will meld beautifully over this time.
• For longer storage, place the containers in the freezer. The soup can be frozen for up to 3 months without losing its hearty flavor.
• When ready to enjoy, thaw the soup in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing helps maintain the soup's texture.
• Reheat the soup on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken broth or water if the soup has thickened too much during storage.
• Alternatively, you can reheat individual portions in the microwave. Use a microwave-safe bowl, cover it loosely, and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between.
• Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or a sprinkle of black pepper before serving to enhance the presentation and flavor.

• For stovetop reheating:

  1. Pour the ham and split pea soup into a large pot.
  2. Heat over medium-low, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  3. Once the soup is heated through, serve immediately.

• For microwave reheating:

  1. Transfer a portion of the soup into a microwave-safe bowl.
  2. Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap with a small vent.
  3. Heat on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
  4. Ensure the soup is hot throughout before serving.

• For slow cooker reheating:

  1. Place the leftover soup into the slow cooker.
  2. Set the slow cooker to low and heat for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally.
  3. Once the soup is thoroughly heated, it's ready to serve.

• For oven reheating:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Transfer the soup into an oven-safe dish.
  3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
  4. Heat for 20-30 minutes, stirring halfway through.
  5. Check to ensure the soup is hot throughout before serving.

• Large pot: A big enough pot to hold all the ingredients and allow them to simmer without boiling over.

• Colander: Used to rinse the split peas under cold water before adding them to the pot.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for chopping the ham, onion, celery, and carrots.

• Chef's knife: Essential for chopping the ham, onion, celery, and carrots finely and safely.

• Measuring cups: Used to measure out the chopped ham, onion, celery, and carrots to ensure the correct proportions.

• Measuring spoons: Necessary for measuring out the dried thyme, salt, and black pepper accurately.

• Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring the soup occasionally as it simmers to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.

• Ladle: Useful for serving the soup once it’s ready.

• Tongs: Handy for removing the ham bone from the pot without splashing.

• Garlic press: Convenient for mincing the garlic cloves quickly and efficiently.

Rinse peas in advance: Rinse the split peas the night before to save time on prep.

Pre-chop vegetables: Chop the onion, celery, and carrots ahead of time and store them in the fridge.

Use pre-cooked ham: Opt for pre-cooked ham to reduce cooking time.

Instant pot method: Use an Instant Pot to cut down the cooking time significantly.

Batch cooking: Make a large batch and freeze portions for quick meals later.

Pre-measure spices: Measure out the thyme, salt, and pepper beforehand to streamline the process.