Marianne Martinez
Split pea soup is a hearty, delicious, and comforting meal that can be made in a crock pot with minimal preparation and clean-up. It is perfect for chilly days and can be made with simple, readily available ingredients. The soup can be made vegetarian or vegan, or loaded with meat, and can be paired with grilled cheese sandwiches or crusty bread for a comforting meal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Prep time | 5 minutes |
| Ingredients | Split peas, vegetables (onions, carrots, celery, potatoes, sweet potatoes, green peas, spinach, cauliflower, broccoli), meat (leftover) ham, hambone, ham hock, smoked turkey, bacon), herbs (thyme, bay leaf, parsley), chicken stock, water, salt, olive oil, black pepper |
| Cooking time | 6-10 hours |
| Cooking temperature | Low heat setting |
| Soaking time | 8 hours or overnight |
| Soaking instructions | Soak peas in clean water, then drain and rinse before using |
| Thickening instructions | Allow to cook with the lid off for about 1 hour |
| Serving suggestions | Crusty or grilled cheese sandwich, homemade bread |
| Storage | Refrigerate in a covered container for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months |
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What You'll Learn
Prepping the ingredients
Preparing the ingredients for a split pea soup in a crock pot is a simple and quick process. The first step is to rinse the split peas and pick through them for any debris. Although soaking the peas overnight is not necessary, it is recommended if you are cooking the soup for 4 hours on high heat, as it will shorten the cooking time. If you do soak the peas, make sure to reduce the amount of liquid you use in the soup.
Next, prepare the vegetables. Onions, carrots, and celery are the traditional ingredients, but you can also add diced potatoes, sweet potatoes, or frozen vegetables like green peas, spinach, cauliflower, or broccoli. If you want a thicker soup, you can purée the cooked vegetables. Chop the vegetables into small pieces, or use canned or frozen vegetables to save time.
If you are using meat in your soup, ham, leftover ham, or a ham bone are common choices. You can also use a hambone, ham hock, or smoked turkey. If using raw meat, you may want to fry it in the pot first, then remove it and fry the vegetables in the leftover oil before adding the rest of the ingredients.
Finally, gather your herbs and spices. Thyme, bay leaf, parsley, and salt are commonly used in split pea soup. You can also season with black pepper and a drizzle of olive oil before serving.
Once all your ingredients are prepared, simply combine them in the crock pot, cover, and cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours, or until the peas are tender and the soup has thickened.
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Cooking the soup
Cooking split pea soup in a crock pot is a simple process that requires minimal preparation. The first step is to prepare the split peas. While soaking the peas overnight is not necessary, it can help to shorten their cooking time. If you choose to soak them, make sure to reduce the amount of liquid you use in the soup. Rinse the peas and place them in a strainer, picking through for any debris.
Next, prepare your vegetables. Traditional ingredients include onions, carrots, and celery, but you can also add diced potatoes, sweet potatoes, or frozen vegetables like green peas, spinach, cauliflower, or broccoli. If you want a thicker soup, you can purée the cooked vegetables. For extra flavour, you can sauté the vegetables before adding them to the crock pot.
Now, it's time to assemble the soup. In the base of your crock pot, combine the vegetables with the split peas, liquid (water or chicken stock), and your choice of meat. Ham is a popular option, and you can use leftover ham, a hambone, or ham hock. You can also add bacon, which you can fry in the pot first and then remove, or try smoked turkey. Season with salt to taste, and add herbs like thyme, bay leaf, and parsley.
Cover the crock pot and cook on low heat for 6 to 10 hours, or until the peas are tender and the soup has thickened. If you're short on time, you can cook the soup on high heat for 4 hours, but remember to soak the peas overnight if you're using this setting. Once the soup is ready, give it a good stir and remove the bay leaf before serving. Top with cracked black pepper and a drizzle of olive oil, and serve with crusty bread or grilled cheese sandwiches for a comforting and hearty meal.
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Thickening the soup
First and foremost, the type of split peas you use can impact the thickening process. If you're using a 20-ounce package of Hurst HamPeas Split Peas, follow the package instructions. However, if your split peas come in a 16-ounce package, omit the additional 2 cups of water to reduce the overall liquid content, resulting in a thicker soup.
The cooking time and temperature play a significant role in thickening your split pea soup. If you're cooking your soup on high heat in the crockpot for 4 hours, it's recommended to soak the peas overnight in clean water, drain, and rinse them before use. This extended soaking time helps soften the peas, allowing them to break down more easily during cooking and contributing to a thicker consistency.
On the other hand, if you're opting for a slower cooking method, cooking your soup for more than 4 hours at a lower temperature, there's no need to soak the peas beforehand. The longer cooking time will naturally soften the peas and thicken your soup.
During the cooking process, keep the bone or ham hock in the crockpot until the soup is finished. The bones add flavour and body to the soup, enhancing its overall heartiness and thickness.
If you find that your soup is too thin, there are a few remedies you can employ. One option is to simply allow the soup to continue cooking with the lid off for about an hour. This promotes evaporation, reducing the liquid content and resulting in a thicker consistency. Additionally, you can purée cooked vegetables and add them to the soup to thicken it further while also adding more flavour.
If you prefer a smoother soup without chunks of vegetables, you can use an immersion blender to blend the soup to your desired consistency. This will also contribute to a thicker texture.
Lastly, while this may seem counterintuitive, stirring in extra chicken broth can help thicken your soup. This is particularly useful if your soup is too thick and you want to thin it out a bit. Adjusting the consistency to your preference is a simple matter of adding more or less broth.
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Serving suggestions
Split pea soup is a hearty and delicious meal, perfect for cold days. It can be served with a variety of accompaniments to enhance the dining experience.
Bread
A slice of homemade bread is a popular choice to accompany this soup. Crusty bread or a grilled cheese sandwich are also recommended.
Meat
Meats such as ham, bacon, sausage, or smoked turkey can be added to the soup itself. Alternatively, serve the soup with a side of meat, such as bacon or sausage.
Vegetables
The soup can be served with a variety of vegetables, including onions, celery, carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, green peas, spinach, cauliflower, or broccoli. These vegetables can be diced, pureed, or softened before being added to the soup.
Spices and Condiments
To enhance the flavour of the soup, consider adding spices such as smoked paprika, red wine vinegar, or balsamic vinegar. Freshly ground black pepper, hot sauce, and olive oil can also be added to taste.
Thickness Adjustments
The thickness of the soup can be adjusted by soaking the split peas overnight before cooking. For a thicker soup, reduce the amount of liquid used, or use a blend of split peas and lentils. For a thinner soup, stir in extra chicken broth or water.
Temperature
Allow the soup to cool for about 30 minutes before serving. This will slightly thicken the soup and make it a more enjoyable temperature for consumption.
Leftovers
Leftover split pea soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and frozen for up to 3 months.
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Storage and reheating
Split pea soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to five days. It can also be frozen and will last for about three months in the freezer.
To store your soup, let it cool down and then place it in a covered container in the refrigerator. If you want to freeze your soup, it is best to use quart-sized or gallon-sized bags. Be sure to not overfill the container before placing it in the freezer as the soup will expand as it freezes. Leave about an inch of space between the soup and the top of the container. Also, always label your containers so that you know which soup you want to defrost.
To reheat your soup, you can use a stovetop, microwave, or oven. If you are reheating a meat broth or clear soup, bring it to a boil for three minutes to kill off any harmful bacteria. If you are reheating a soup that contains pasta, rice, or other grains, wait to add these ingredients until you are ready to serve the soup, as they can become mushy with freezing and thawing.
It is important to note that not all types of soup should be frozen. Soups made with cream or milk, such as chowders and bisques, may separate and become grainy if frozen. Always use your judgment and trust your taste buds when deciding whether to reheat a soup. If the soup seems questionable, it is better to toss it.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need split peas, vegetables (such as onions, carrots, celery, and potatoes), and meat (such as ham, a leftover hambone, or smoked turkey). You can also add herbs and seasonings like thyme, bay leaf, parsley, and salt.
Soaking the split peas overnight or for at least 8 hours can help shorten their cooking time. However, it is not necessary, especially if you are slow cooking for more than 4 hours. If you do soak them, remember to reduce the amount of liquid you use in the soup.
For best results, cook the soup on low heat for 6 to 10 hours or until the peas are tender and the soup has thickened. If you are short on time, you can cook it on high heat for 4 hours, but you will need to soak the peas overnight beforehand.
