Tillie Doyle
Split pea soup is a hearty, comforting meal that's perfect for chilly days. It's also an easy, one-step dish that you can make in a crockpot with minimal prep and clean-up. The beauty of this recipe is that you can throw a handful of simple ingredients into the slow cooker and let it simmer for hours. But how long do you need to cook split peas in a crockpot? Well, it depends on the heat setting and whether you've pre-soaked the peas. If you're cooking on high heat, the peas will take around 4-5 hours to become tender, but if you're cooking on low heat, it will take 6-10 hours. If you want to reduce the cooking time, you can soak the peas beforehand for at least four hours or overnight.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Soaking | If cooking on high, soak peas overnight in clean water. No need to soak if slow cooking for more than 4 hours. |
| Prep | Rinse and drain peas. Pick through for any debris. |
| Ingredients | Split peas, vegetables (onion, carrots, celery, potatoes), herbs (thyme, bay leaf, parsley), meat (ham, bacon), stock (chicken or ham) |
| Cooking Time | 4 hours on high heat or 8-10 hours on low heat |
| Texture | For a thicker soup, blend a cup of the finished soup until smooth and return to the pot. |
| Storage | Refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Soaking the peas
To soak the peas, start by rinsing them well and picking through them for any tiny pebbles or debris. Then, cover the peas in cold, clean water and let them soak for at least four hours or up to overnight. Be sure to drain and rinse the peas again before adding them to your crock pot.
If you are cooking your split pea soup on high heat for four hours or less, it is recommended to soak the peas overnight. Soaking the peas will reduce the cooking time and help to soften them, ensuring a creamy and hearty soup.
If you are short on time or prefer a longer cooking time, you can skip the soaking step altogether. Simply add the dried split peas directly to your crock pot with the other ingredients and enough liquid, and let the slow cooker do the rest. The peas will soften and split as they cook, absorbing the flavours of the broth, vegetables and meat.
Instant Pot Meat Cooking Time: 4 Pounds
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for split peas in a crock pot depend on the consistency of the dish you want to achieve. For a soupier consistency, cook the split peas on low heat for 6 to 10 hours. For a thicker consistency, cook on high heat for 4 to 5 hours.
If you want to reduce the cooking time, you can soak the peas beforehand. To do this, simply cover the peas in cold water and let them soak for at least four hours or overnight. Soaking the peas will help reduce the cooking time, but it is not necessary, as the peas will soften during the long simmer in the crock pot.
If you are in a hurry, you can cook the split peas on high heat in the crock pot for 4 hours. However, if you choose this method, it is recommended to soak the peas overnight in clean water and then drain and rinse them before using. This will ensure that the peas are properly cooked and softened.
On the other hand, if you have more time and prefer a slower cooking method, you can cook the split peas on low heat for 8 to 10 hours. This longer cooking time will allow the flavours to develop and the peas to become tender. It is important to note that if you are using a ham bone, it is best to keep it in the crock pot until the soup is finished, as it will add flavour to the dish.
Additionally, if you prefer a thicker soup, you can leave the lid off the crock pot for about an hour during the last stage of cooking. This will allow some of the liquid to evaporate and thicken the soup. Alternatively, you can scoop out a cup of the cooked soup, blend it until smooth, and then return it to the crock pot to stir through and thicken the soup.
Prevent Chip Pan Fires: Tips to Stay Safe
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Ingredients and prep
Split peas are a great ingredient to use in a crock pot, as they are easy to prepare and can be cooked for a long time without any issues. They are also high in fiber and protein. You can use either green or yellow split peas, or a combination of split peas and lentils.
Before cooking, it is important to rinse the peas and pick through them for any debris or tiny pebbles. If you are cooking on high for four hours or less, you should soak the peas overnight in clean water and then drain and rinse them before adding them to the crock pot. If you are slow cooking for more than four hours, you do not need to soak the peas beforehand.
The great thing about crock pot recipes is that you can usually just dump all the ingredients in together and let them cook. However, if you want to add bacon to your split pea soup, you might want to fry it first and remove it, and then fry your onions, celery, and carrots in the leftover oil before adding the rest of the ingredients. You can also add the bacon back into the soup at the end.
The other ingredients you will need for your soup are:
- Vegetables: Onions, carrots, and celery are the traditional ingredients, but you can also add diced potatoes, sweet potatoes, or frozen veggies like green peas, spinach, cauliflower, or broccoli.
- Meat: A leftover hambone, ham hock, or cubes of ham (smoked or not) will add a great smoky flavor to your soup. You can also use smoked turkey or bacon.
- Broth: Chicken broth or stock is the most commonly used, but you can also use vegetable stock or ham stock if you want a smokier flavor.
- Herbs: Thyme, bay leaf, and parsley are a great combination, and you can also add rosemary. Make sure to use dried leaf thyme, not ground.
- Seasoning: Salt and pepper to taste.
Pan-Roasted Broccoli: A Simple, Delicious Side
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Thickening the soup
Split pea soup cooked in a crock pot will naturally thicken over time. The peas will break down and melt into the broth, creating a thick and creamy texture.
If you prefer a thicker soup, there are several methods you can try. Firstly, you can simply reduce the amount of liquid used in the recipe. This will result in a thicker consistency as the peas will absorb less liquid.
Another option is to cook the soup with the lid off for about an hour. This will allow some of the liquid to evaporate, thereby thickening the soup.
Additionally, you can purée cooked vegetables and add them to the soup. This not only adds flavour but also contributes to a thicker consistency. Carrots, in particular, are known to fall apart in the soup, adding a nice texture.
If you're looking for an even heartier soup, you can add diced potatoes to the crock pot about 30 minutes before the end of the cooking time. The natural starches in the potatoes will be released as they break down, making the soup creamier and richer.
Finally, you can try blending a cup of the cooked soup until smooth and then stirring it back into the pot. This will help to bind the soup together and give it a thicker consistency.
How to Start Cooking with Your Lodge Pan
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Storing leftovers
Leftover split pea soup tastes even better the next day. Keep it in a covered container in the refrigerator, where it will last for about five days. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it. Freeze your green pea soup in individual quart-sized bags or gallon-sized bags with the date labeled on the outside. Frozen split pea soup will last about three months in the freezer.
You can also add diced potatoes to the slow cooker about 30 minutes before the end of the cook time. When they break down, the natural starches will make the soup creamier and heartier.
If you're storing your leftover soup in the fridge or freezer, be sure to let it cool down to room temperature first. This will prevent condensation from forming inside the container or bag, which can cause ice crystals to form and affect the flavor and texture of your soup.
When you're ready to enjoy your leftover soup, simply thaw it overnight in the refrigerator if it's frozen, or heat it up on the stovetop or in the microwave if it's been stored in the fridge.
Cleaning Cast Iron: Simple Steps for Sparkling Pans
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Cooking split peas in a crock pot can take anywhere from 4 to 10 hours, depending on the heat setting. For example, cooking on high heat for 4-5 hours or on low heat for 8-10 hours.
No, pre-soaking is not necessary as the peas will soften during the long cooking process. However, if you want to reduce the cooking time, you can soak the peas beforehand for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Split peas are commonly combined with vegetables such as onions, carrots, celery, and potatoes, as well as meat like ham, bacon, or a ham bone. For liquid, chicken broth or stock is often used.
The split peas are done cooking when they are tender and have split, thickening the soup.
