The Magical Slow Cooker » Recipes » Soups » Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup
by Sarah Olson on | Updated 59 Comments
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Creamy, smooth, and easy to make, this Crockpot Split Pea Soup with Ham is a classic recipe you must try in the slow cooker.
If you love the comfort food spilt pea soup, then put this on your recipe list ASAP. Put my Split Pea Stew on your list for next week! Or try my Slow Cooker Lentil Soup if you are wanting a vegetarian meal this week.
I worked as a waitress for years; the soup du jour on Thursday was always split pea with ham. It was crazy how many people came in just to order the split pea soup. Served with a big hunk of cornbread and honey butter, I really can’t think of a better meal.
Recipe Ingredients:
Not many ingredients in this soup, but the results are spectacular.
- Dried Split Peas – One pound of dried split peas, make sure there are no rocks or dirt clumps in them as you add to the slow cooker.
- Vegetables – Diced carrots and onions. Celery can be added as well.
- Ham – Diced ham, can be freshly bought or left overs.
- Dried Thyme – Dried thyme goes great with split peas.
- Chicken Boullion Cubes – This will flavor the soup and add saltiness. No salt is need in this recipe.
- Water – 7 cups of water is the perfect amount of water for one pound of peas.
Step-by-Step Directions
Step One – Add everything to the slow cooker. Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 9-10 hours.
Step Two – Take a whisk or spoon and stir the soup when the cooking time is up. The peas will dissolve into the broth.
What to serve with this:
Good as is in a mug or choose one or more of these options:
- Saltine or oyster crackers
- French bread or focaccia bread
- Cornbread
- Side salad with dressing
How to make this vegetarian:
- If you would like to make this vegetarian omit the ham.
- Then substitute the chicken bouillon cubes for Not
Chick’n Bouillon Cubes. I find these bouillon cubes in the health food section of my local store. - Or you can use 7 cups of vegetable broth or stock.
Recipe FAQs
Is this recipe healthy?
Yes! Split pea soup is very healthy, and using diced ham instead of ham bone cuts back on fat in the recipe. Though this soup is healthy, it still tastes like comfort food!
Can yellow split peas be substituted for green?
Yes, there is no difference between yellow and green peas other than the color. Though, some say yellow split peas are slightly sweeter.
Do split peas need to be soaked before cooking?
No! The slow cooker will soften them perfectly into a velvety, silky soup.
What to do if my soup is too thick?
After split pea soup has been prepared, it thickens when the lid has been taken off or refrigerated. Add a splash of water or chicken broth and stir, and the soup will be a perfect consistency again.
Can I use a ham bone?
Want to use a ham bone instead of ham? Use one large or two small ham bones to replace the diced ham. Shred the ham off the bones and add to the soup when the cooking time is up. Discard the ham bones and fat.
Can I make split pea soup into a freezer meal?
You can make this into a freezer meal! You place all the ingredients in a ziplock bag (except the water) and freeze until ready to cook. Thaw, add contents of the bag to slow cooker, add water and cook as directed on the recipe card.
Split pea soup storage instructions:
Split pea soup will keep the fridge for up to five days or three months in the refrigerator. You will need to add water to thin out the soup, for it will thicken considerably after storing.
Can I use Hurst’s Hambeens Spilt Pea Soup Mix with Ham in this recipe?
- Yes, though Hurst’s Spilt Pea mix package size is 20 ounces compared to the 16 ounces of split peas that I use in this recipe. Add 1 more cup of water if you use Hurst’s Split Pea Mix.
- Omit the chicken bouillon if you use the included ham seasoning packet. Be sure to wait until the end of the cooking time to add the ham seasoning packet.
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Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup Recipe
4.97 from 27 votes
Creamy Split Pea Soup in the Slow Cooker. Only a few ingredients to the best slow split pea soup you will ever have!
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 hours hours
Total Time: 10 hours hours 20 minutes minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 293kcal
Author: Sarah Olson
Ingredients:
- 16 oz. dried split peas
- 1 onion diced
- 2 carrots diced
- 2 cups ham diced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 chicken bouillon cubes
- 7 cups of water
US Customary – Metric
Instructions:
Add the split peas (no need to pre-soak), onion, carrots, thyme, ham, chicken bouillon cubes and water to the slow cooker. Stir.
Cover and cook on low for 9-10 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.
When cooking time is done, whisk the soup until creamy.
How to Video:
Sarah’s Notes:
Ham bone directions:
Want to use a ham bone instead of ham? Use 1 large or 2 small ham bones in place of the diced ham. When the cooking time is up, shred the ham off the bones and add to the soup. Discard the ham bones and fat.
Want to use yellow split peas?
Yellow split peas can be used in place of the green split peas.
Soup too thick?
Add a splash of water or chicken broth to get the soup back to the desired consistency.
Chicken broth instead of chicken bouillon cubes?
Omit the bouillon cubes and use 7 cups of chicken broth if desired.
Can I make split pea soup into a freezer meal?
You can make this into a freezer meal! You place all the ingredients in a ziplock bag (except the water) and freeze until ready to cook. Thaw, add contents of the bag to slow cooker, add water and cook as directed on the recipe card.
Storage Instructions:
Split peas soup will keep the fridge for up to 5 days or 3 months in the fridge. You will need to add water to thin out the soup for it will thicken considerably after storing.
Can I use Hurst’s Hambeens Split Pea Mix?
- Yes, though Hurst’s Spilt Pea mix package size is 20 ounces compared to the 16 ounces of split peas that I use in this recipe. Add 1 more cup of water if you use Hurst’s Split Pea Mix.
- Omit the chicken bouillon if you use the included ham seasoning packet. Be sure to wait until the end of the cooking time to add the ham seasoning packet.
Nutrition Information:
Calories: 293kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 674mg | Potassium: 725mg | Fiber: 15g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 2630IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 3mg
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
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More slow cooker soup recipes like this one:
- Slow Cooker Split Pea Stew
- Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana
- Slow Cooker Ham and Beans
- Slow Cooker French Onion Soup
- Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Soup
- Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken Soup
- Slow Cooker Black Bean and Kielbasa Soup
