Chilly temperatures call for rustic soups and stews. This classic Slow Cooker Split Pea and Ham Soup is just the ticket and a great way to use up holiday ham!
As we roll into the new year I wanted to share a delicious, comfort food soup that’s a snap in the slow cooker: Slow Cooker Split Pea and Ham Soup. It’s a perfect way to use up holiday ham AND the ham bone. The ingredients are simple and whole, AND the soup so much flavor!
We had made Orange-Bourbon Glazed Bone-In Spiral Cut Ham over the holidays and I had forgotten about the ham bone which we’d put in a second refrigerator I rarely check. My husband migrated it up the kitchen refrigerator one day before we were headed out for the latest Star Wars move (did you see it? What did you think?). I put all the ingredients into the slow cooker and was so glad I did! By the time we got home everyone was famished and what we had planned for dinner was a few hours away.
This sort of soup is really where slow cooker recipes shine. They slowly develop flavors over a longer period of time needing no involvement from you. The classic basis for soup is onion, carrot and celery and they form such a delicious broth. When stirred after cooking the split peas melt into a thick creamy texture. It’s the type of soup that takes the chill off the day!
If you want to make this and don’t happen to have a ham bone laying around, ham hocks may be substituted. Use 2-3 ham hocks which are easily found through the butcher at your favorite super market if they aren’t already packaged in the meat section or freezer.
To get that chunky ham that is so good in soup you can request from the deli department to get ham slices that are ¼-inch or ½-inch thick and then cut them into nice cube before making the soup. This is definitely the type of soup you’ll want to make all winter long!
For those preferring a more traditional cooking method, this Split Pea Soup with Red Wine and Ham is another family favorite and is cooked on the stove top.
This classic comfort soup is made even easier by preparing it in a slow cooker. Hours of simmering create a rich depth of flavor in this Slow Cooker Split Pea and Ham Soup recipe with no effort from you!
If you love your Instant Pot this Instant Pot Ham recipe is a great way to whip up some ham when you want it.
Recipe
Slow Cooker Split Pea and Ham Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 medium Yellow Onion , chopped
- 2 stalks medium-large Celery , rinsed and chopped
- 3 large Carrots , scrubbed and chopped
- 1 Ham Bone (or 2 ham hocks)
- 1 pound dried Split Peas
- 8 cups Low Sodium Chicken Stock
- 2 Bay Leaves
- Kosher Salt and Ground Black Pepper to taste
- Optional: 1 cup chopped ham (if there is not meat on the ham bone)
Instructions
- Add the vegetables to the insert of a 6 quart slow cooker.
- Add the split peas and place the ham bone on top.
- Pour in the chicken stock and add the bay leaves. Cook on LOW for 8 hours.
- Remove any meat from the ham bone and add back to the soup before serving. Salt and pepper to taste. Additional ham may be added if desired.
Tara says
I love using my slow cooker, especially in the winter. This soup looks delicious.
Dawn McAlexander says
This isn’t something that I would typically eat, but it looks pretty good though. I do like slow cooker recipes.
Kathy says
This soup looks really good. I honestly don’t think I have had this kind before. I’ll have to give it a try. I bet it will taste great!
Brent Arceneaux says
This soup looks amazing! Definitely a good dish for a cold day!
Aimee Smith says
This sounds so perfect for a chilly winter day. I can’t wait to try it!
Pam Wattenbarger says
I love making soups and stews like this in the winter. They’re just so hearty and perfect for the cold. It hasn’t gotten really cold here yet, but when it does, this split pea soup would be perfect for warming up.
Jocelyn Cañasa Brown says
This looks so good! I never thought I would like split pea soup, but it looks so good!
Nancy Polanco says
Mmm, this soup looks incredible. I bet it is so filling. 🙂 Delish!
Theresa says
I love peas, but have honestly never tried split pea soup before. I definitely need to put this on my bucket list for dishes to try this winter. It sounds yummy!
Toni Dash says
Stop it; really?! Ok, you have to try it if for nothing else to say you have LOL! Split pea soup tastes different than fresh peas taste in my opinion. The soups is thick and rustic. I think you’d love it.
Liz says
I usually take the lazy way out and use a packet of split peas with seasonings. Off to check out your recipe—I KNOW it will be amazing.
Toni Dash says
To me ‘lazy’ is another word for ‘smart’ in most cases! This soup is a breeze in the slow cooker and I love not having to pay any attention to it whatsoever (cause I’m ‘smart’ LOL)