Marianne Martinez
Split pea soup is a hearty and flavorful dish that can be easily prepared in a croc pot or slow cooker. While the cooking time may vary depending on the desired thickness of the soup, the overall process is simple and hands-off. With a range of ingredients that can be added, from vegetables like onions, carrots, and celery to meats such as ham or bacon, this soup is a versatile and comforting meal. To adjust the consistency, blending or mashing the cooked soup can create a smooth or chunkier texture. The ease of preparing split pea soup in a croc pot makes it a convenient choice for busy days, requiring minimal effort and delivering a satisfying result.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Prep time | 5 minutes |
| Soaking time | 4 hours or overnight |
| Cook time | 4 hours on high |
| Ingredients | Split peas, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, ham, chicken stock, water, bay, parsley |
| Optional ingredients | Bacon, potatoes, sweet potatoes, green peas, spinach, cauliflower, broccoli, ham bone, smoked turkey |
| Storage | Refrigerate in an airtight container for 3-5 days or freeze for 3 months |
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What You'll Learn
Split pea soup ingredients
Split pea soup is a hearty and flavorful dish that can be easily prepared in a Crock-Pot or slow cooker. The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity and ease of preparation, requiring minimal prep work and just a few basic ingredients. Here's a detailed guide to the ingredients you'll need to make a delicious split pea soup.
Split Peas:
The star ingredient of this soup is, of course, split peas. You can use either green or yellow split peas, depending on your preference. Green split peas have a more vibrant color, while yellow split peas have a milder flavor. Be sure to rinse the peas thoroughly and check for any tiny pebbles or debris before adding them to the Crock-Pot.
Vegetables:
Traditional vegetables used in split pea soup include onions, carrots, and celery. However, feel free to get creative and add a variety of other vegetables to customize your soup. Diced potatoes (such as waxy yellow or Russet potatoes), sweet potatoes, parsnips, and frozen veggies like green peas, spinach, cauliflower, or broccoli can all be great additions. If you want to add some extra flavor and texture, you can puree cooked veggies and add them to the soup to make it thicker.
Meat:
Meat is an optional ingredient, but it can add a wonderful depth of flavor to your split pea soup. Ham is a popular choice, and you can use diced ham, a leftover hambone, or a ham hock. If using a bone, make sure to leave some meat on it, as it will become tender during the slow cooking process and can be pulled off and added to the soup later. Alternatively, you can use smoked turkey or bacon for a smoky flavor.
Stock and Seasonings:
Chicken or vegetable stock is typically used as a base for split pea soup, providing flavor and body to the dish. For seasonings, garlic, bay leaves, and parsley are excellent choices to elevate the flavor profile of your soup. You can also add salt and pepper to taste.
Other Ingredients:
To adjust the consistency of your split pea soup, you can add extra water or chicken broth to thin it out. If you prefer a thicker soup, simply let it cook with the lid off for about an hour to reduce the liquid and intensify the flavors. Additionally, you can blend a cup of the finished soup and stir it back in for a smoother, creamier texture.
With these ingredients and your Crock-Pot, you're well on your way to creating a delicious and comforting split pea soup that's perfect for cozy meals and easy lunches. Enjoy!
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Soaking and rinsing the peas
To soak the peas, simply cover them with cold, clean water. Allow them to soak for at least four hours or even overnight. This step is especially useful if you are short on time the next day, as it reduces the cooking time needed in the Crock Pot.
After soaking, be sure to drain and rinse the peas thoroughly. Place the peas in a colander or strainer and rinse them well under running water. While rinsing, take the time to sort through the peas, checking for any tiny pebbles or debris that may be present. This ensures that your final dish is free of any unwanted foreign objects.
Once the peas have been soaked, drained, and rinsed, they are ready to be added to the Crock Pot along with the remaining ingredients. Remember to combine them with ingredients such as onions, carrots, celery, garlic, and a protein of your choice, like ham or bacon.
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for split peas in a crock pot can vary depending on your preference and the specific recipe you are following. Here are some general guidelines and tips to help you determine the ideal cooking time and temperature:
- Crock pots are ideal for cooking split pea soup, as they allow for a slow and gentle cooking process, infusing flavours and requiring little preparation.
- The beauty of using a crock pot is its simplicity and ease of use. Once you have prepared your ingredients, simply combine them in the crock pot, set it to the desired temperature, and let it cook.
- Split pea soup typically requires a long simmering time. The crock pot's low and slow cooking process ensures that the split peas become tender and soften during cooking without the need for pre-soaking.
- However, if you wish to reduce the overall cooking time, you can pre-soak the split peas. Cover them in cold water for at least four hours or even overnight. This step is especially useful if you plan to cook the split peas on high heat in the crock pot.
- The cooking time for split peas in a crock pot can range from four hours on high heat to an entire day on low heat. The longer cooking time on low heat allows the flavours to develop and merge, resulting in a delicious and hearty soup.
- If you prefer a thicker soup, you can cook it with the lid off for about an hour. This will reduce the liquid content and give your soup a heartier consistency.
- Additionally, you can blend a portion of the cooked soup and return it to the pot to thicken it without altering the cooking time.
- Keep in mind that the cooking time may vary depending on the specific recipe and the additional ingredients you use. For example, if you are adding potatoes, they will require some cooking time as well. You can add diced potatoes to the crock pot about 30 minutes before the end of the cooking process.
- The crock pot's ability to slowly cook ingredients like ham or bacon, infusing their flavours into the soup, is another advantage of using this appliance.
- Finally, remember that split pea soup often tastes even better the next day, and it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to five days or frozen for later enjoyment.
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Thickening the soup
Split pea soup cooked in a croc pot can be thickened in several ways. Firstly, it is important to note that the cooking time can be reduced by soaking the peas beforehand. To do this, simply cover the peas in cold water and let them soak for at least four hours or overnight. This will help to soften the peas, reducing the overall cooking time.
One method to thicken the soup is to cook it with the lid off for about an hour. This will reduce the liquid content and thicken the soup. Additionally, you can add pureed vegetables to the soup. Onions, carrots, celery, and potatoes are traditional ingredients that can be cooked and then blended to add thickness. You can also add diced potatoes to the slow cooker about 30 minutes before the end of the cook time to help thicken the soup.
Meat can also be added to thicken the soup. Leftover ham, ham hock, or cubes of ham can be included, as well as cooked bacon. If using a ham bone, ensure that there is still meat on it, as it will become tender during the slow cooking process and can be added to the soup at the end.
Finally, you can blend a cup of the finished soup in a blender until smooth and then return it to the pot. This will thicken the soup and create a smooth texture. Alternatively, you can use a potato masher to mash the peas and vegetables for a chunkier soup.
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Storing and reheating
Split pea soup can be kept in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to five days. If you want to keep your soup for longer, you can freeze it in airtight containers or freezer bags; it will last for about three months in the freezer.
When you're ready to enjoy your soup again, simply reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave until it's heated through. If you're reheating from frozen, you may need to thaw the soup first by transferring it to the refrigerator overnight or defrosting it in the microwave.
If you prefer a smoother soup, you can blend the finished soup before storing or reheat it. Alternatively, for a chunkier soup, you can mash the peas and vegetables with a potato masher before serving.
To reduce the cooking time for your soup, you can soak the peas beforehand. Simply cover them in cold water and let them soak for at least four hours or overnight. However, this step is not necessary, as the peas will soften during the long simmer in the Crockpot.
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking times can vary depending on the crock pot and the recipe you are following. However, a general rule of thumb is to cook your split pea soup on high for around 4 hours.
It is recommended that you rinse and drain the split peas before adding them to the crock pot. Some recipes suggest soaking the peas in water for at least 4 hours or overnight to reduce cooking time. However, this is not necessary, as split peas will soften during the long cooking process.
Split peas are a great base for a soup, and you can add a variety of ingredients to create a tasty dish. Traditional ingredients include onions, carrots, celery, and garlic. You can also add meats like ham, bacon, or a ham bone for extra flavour.
Split pea soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
