Today, I’m excited to share a warm and comforting recipe that’s perfect for using up leftover ham—Split Pea Soup with Ham! This hearty dish not only warms you up on a chilly day but is also packed with flavor. Let’s dive right in!
Delicious Split Pea Soup with Ham
If you’re looking for a simple yet satisfying recipe, this one is for you. It’s easy to prepare and perfect for meal prepping. Plus, the ingredients are quite straightforward!
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried split peas, rinsed and sorted
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 cups cooked ham, diced (leftover or store-bought)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onions, carrots, and celery, and sauté until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Stir in the rinsed split peas, chicken or vegetable broth, diced ham, thyme, and bay leaf. Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a boil.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until the split peas are tender and the soup has thickened. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Once the peas are soft, remove the bay leaf. Use an immersion blender to blend the soup to your desired consistency; you can leave it chunky or make it creamy. If you don’t have an immersion blender, carefully transfer the soup in batches to a traditional blender.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. If the soup is too thick, add a bit more broth or water to reach your desired consistency.
- Serve hot, garnished with extra diced ham or fresh herbs if desired. Enjoy!
This Split Pea Soup with Ham is truly a dish that warms both the heart and the soul. Perfect for lunch or dinner, it stores well in the fridge and even tastes better the next day. So go ahead, give this recipe a try, and savor every delicious bite!