Tiffany Haney
Split pea soup is a comforting and hearty dish that can be easily prepared in a crock pot. The beauty of this recipe is that it requires minimal preparation and simple ingredients, making it a convenient option for busy days. The crock pot's slow cooking method allows the split peas to break down, creating a thick and creamy soup with a rich flavour. This versatile soup can be tailored to individual preferences, accommodating both vegetarian and meat-based variations. Whether enjoyed with a slice of homemade bread or grilled cheese sandwiches, crock pot split pea soup is a satisfying meal perfect for chilly days.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ease of cooking | Split pea soup is easy to cook in a crock pot, requiring minimal prep and clean-up. |
| Ingredients | Split peas, vegetables (carrots, celery, onion, garlic, parsley), herbs (bay leaf, thyme), meat (bacon, ham, ham bone, ham hock), stock/broth, salt, and pepper. |
| Soaking peas | Soaking split peas overnight shortens cooking time, but is not necessary. If soaked, reduce liquid in the recipe. |
| Cooking time | Cook on high for 4-5 hours or on low for 6-10 hours, until peas are tender and soup is thickened. |
| Serving suggestions | Serve with crusty bread, grilled cheese sandwiches, or cornbread. |
| Storage | Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months. |
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What You'll Learn
Split pea soup ingredients
Split pea soup is a hearty, delicious, and comforting meal that can be made in a crockpot with simple ingredients. The soup is perfect for chilly days and can be made vegetarian or loaded with meat.
The key ingredient in split pea soup is, of course, split peas. It is recommended to use green split peas as they give the soup its signature colour, texture, and flavour. However, yellow split peas or a combination of split peas and lentils can also be used. If cooking on high heat in a crockpot, it is best to soak the peas overnight in clean water and then drain and rinse them before adding them to the crockpot. If slow cooking for more than four hours, there is no need to soak the peas beforehand.
The traditional vegetables used in split pea soup are onions, carrots, and celery. However, other vegetables such as diced potatoes, sweet potatoes, frozen green peas, spinach, cauliflower, or broccoli can also be added. Meat is also a common ingredient in split pea soup, with ham being a popular choice. This can be in the form of diced ham, a hambone, or ham hocks. Other meat options include bacon, smoked turkey, or shredded pork picnic.
To add flavour to the soup, herbs such as thyme, bay leaf, parsley, and garlic can be added, along with salt and pepper to taste. Chicken stock or broth can also be added, or for a smokier flavour, ham stock can be used.
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Soaking and cooking the peas
Split pea soup is a hearty, delicious, and comforting meal that can be made in a crockpot with minimal preparation and clean-up. Split peas are the key ingredient, giving the soup its signature colour, texture, and flavour, while also being high in fibre and protein.
When preparing split peas for crockpot soup, it is recommended to rinse and drain them before use. Place the peas in a strainer and rinse them well, also checking for any debris. If cooking on high heat in the crockpot for 4 hours, it is recommended to soak the peas overnight in clean water before rinsing and draining them. However, if slow cooking for more than 4 hours, soaking is not necessary. Soaking the peas will reduce their cooking time, but it will also require you to reduce the amount of liquid used in the soup.
After rinsing and draining the peas, they can be added directly to the crockpot with the other ingredients. The beauty of this soup is its simplicity, as all the ingredients can be thrown into the crockpot without the need to pre-cook anything. The crockpot can then be left to slowly cook the soup throughout the day, filling your home with a wonderful aroma.
The peas will break down and naturally thicken the soup as they cook, and they will also soak up all the flavours from the broth, vegetables, and meat. For a smooth soup, you can blend the finished product, or you can mash the peas and vegetables for a chunkier texture.
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Cooking time and temperature
Cooking split pea soup in a crock pot is an easy and convenient way to make a hearty meal. The cooking time and temperature for this soup will depend on your preference for the consistency of the soup, as well as the type of crock pot you are using.
If you are in a hurry, you can cook the soup on high heat for 4 to 5 hours. This will yield a tasty soup, but the peas may not be as soft as you would like. For softer peas, it is recommended to cook the soup on low heat for 6 to 7 hours. This longer cooking time will result in a thicker soup, as the peas will break down and absorb the flavours of the other ingredients.
If you are using a crock pot that has a sear function, you may want to fry the bacon and vegetables before adding the remaining ingredients. This will add depth of flavour to your soup. If you choose to do this, be sure to deglaze the pot to incorporate all the tasty bits left behind after frying.
For those who like to plan ahead, you can soak the peas overnight to shorten the cooking time. However, this step is not necessary, as split peas cook relatively quickly. If you do soak them, remember to reduce the amount of liquid you add to the crock pot.
The beauty of crock pot cooking is that once the ingredients are prepped and in the pot, you can mostly leave it to do its thing. This hands-off approach means you can go about your day, or relax, while your soup cooks to perfection.
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Adding meat
You can also add other types of meat to your soup. Smoked turkey can be included, as can shredded pork picnic (smoked pork shoulder). You can also brown some diced smoked sausage in a skillet and add it to the soup about 20 minutes before serving.
If you're using a slow cooker, it's best to leave the meat in while the soup cooks, so it becomes tender and flavours the broth. If you're blending your soup, add the meat back in at the end, reserving some for garnish if you like.
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Serving suggestions
Split pea soup is a comforting and hearty meal, perfect for chilly days. There are several ways to serve this delicious soup, depending on your preferences and how much time you have.
If you like your soup thick, you can blend it for a smooth texture, or mash the peas and vegetables with a potato masher for a chunkier consistency. You can also add cooked and crumbled bacon for a crunchy texture. If you prefer a thinner soup, simply stir in some extra chicken broth.
For a simple and classic serving suggestion, top the soup with freshly ground black pepper and a drizzle of olive oil. For an extra special touch, serve it with a slice of homemade bread, such as crusty French bread or cornbread. If you're feeling indulgent, grilled cheese sandwiches are the ultimate comfort food pairing.
If you want to get creative with your garnish, try adding some croutons, diced cooked ham, crumbled fried onion rings, grated carrots, or chopped scallions. For a swirl of something extra, add a dollop of Greek yogurt, sour cream, or a splash of red wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar.
This soup is very versatile, so feel free to experiment with different ingredients and serving suggestions to find your perfect bowl of cozy perfection.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need split peas, vegetables, herbs, and meat or bone. For vegetables, onions, carrots, and celery are traditional, but you can also add diced potatoes, sweet potatoes, or frozen veggies. For meat, you can add ham, hambone, ham hock, or smoked turkey.
Rinse the split peas and vegetables in a strainer and pick through for any debris. If you are cooking for 4 hours or less on high heat, soak the peas in water for 8 hours or overnight. If cooking on low heat or for longer than 4 hours, you do not need to soak the peas.
Combine the ingredients in the crock pot and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and cook on high heat for 4-5 hours or on low heat for 6-10 hours until the peas are tender and the soup has thickened.
To thicken the soup, cook with the lid off for about 1 hour. To thin the soup, stir in extra chicken broth.
