Nutritious Split Pea Soup-A Bowl of Cozy

Warm up with Grandma’s Smoky Split Pea Soup. Is this the best homemade split pea soup ever?

Our protein packed,fiber rich split pea soup will satisfy your craving for a comfort food that doesn’t compromise on health. Bursting with nutrient dense vegetables and aromatic spices, it’s a deliciously wholesome meal that fuels your body and warms your soul. Packed with plant based protein and dietary fiber, this soup is a satisfying, low fat, guilt free indulgence. Whip up a batch and enjoy a nutritious, flavorful bowl of goodness that’s perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends.

How does Split Pea Soup Taste?

Where did Split Pea Soup Originate?

The question as to the origins of split pea soup is quite splintered. Answers vary from Sweden, France to Ancient Rome and Greece. We are not an arbiter as to the true origin of this soup, as each locale possesses a slight twist to the recipe. However, each claim to the origin of the dish agrees on why the soup was so popular and how the meal was inexpensive, satisfying and nutritious.

Is Split Pea Soup Healthy?

Split peas provide protein, complex carbohydrates, and several vitamins and minerals. Like other plant-based foods, they contain no cholesterol and little fat or sodium. They are an excellent source of fiber and folate, along with many other vitamins and minerals.

Peas are good for eye, heart and digestive health, possess anti-inflammatory properties and help regulate blood sugar. If you are looking for a healthy and inexpensive dish that all will love, this soup will be worth a try.

Is Split Pea Soup Gluten Free?

Good news for gluten conscious cooks! Peas, the foundation of this recipe, are naturally gluten-free. While ham and bacon are generally gluten-free as well, it’s important to be cautious. Some commercially available varieties might come with flavorings or additives containing gluten.

If you have a gluten sensitivity, always double-check all ingredients before using them in this recipe.

Are Split Peas and Lentils the same?

They are both legumes but are not the same. Split peas are dried peas with the skin removed, whereas lentils are the seeds from a small plant.

Are Split Peas Difficult to Digest?

Want to incorporate beans and legumes into your diet but worried about discomfort? Start slow! Like any new food, introducing them gradually helps your body adjust and minimizes digestive issues. Instead of diving into a giant bowl, start small and see how you feel.

Moderation is key. Gradually increase your portions as your body gets accustomed to this new source of delicious, nutritious, and affordable protein!

Split Peas with Ham

This combination complements each other much the same as all iconic famous food duo’s. Think bacon and eggs, peanut butter and jelly or cinnamon and sugar. Ham adds a sweet, salty and savory flavor that complements the earthy taste of the split peas, resulting in a classic soup that possesses regional variations around the world. Ham can be added to the soup using pieces of a ham steak, or using a ham bone left from a meal prepared previously.

If you prefer a meatless option, we have seen plant-based versions of ham, however, we cannot vouch for them. Substitute this and vegetable broth for the chicken broth to turn the recipe vegetarian. Another option would be substituting the ham with a few drops of liquid smoke.

Can Split Pea Soup be Frozen?

Absolutely, in fact we suggest you prepare a large pot of this soup with the intent of having 2 or three healthy meals. You can freeze the leftover soup in any freezer safe storage bowl. The soup will keep for weeks.

Canned Split Pea Soup

We are not fans of canned soups. Most are loaded with sodium and other unnecessary ingredients. The homemade version eliminates these and is much healthier. Our recipe is easy to make, so make a large pot on a weekend and enjoy multiple weeknight meals from that pot.

Can I Make Split Pea Soup in a Crockpot?

Our recipe uses a stovetop Dutch oven. However, soups, including this recipe, are perfect for the crockpot or slow cooker. This permits you to enjoy this recipe on a weeknight. Simply cut up the ingredients the night before and place them all except for the broth into the bowl of the slow cooker and place in the refrigerator.

Before going to work add the broth and place in the crockpot set to low. When you get home, expect an amazing aroma of split pea soup awaiting. Just shred the meats, return and serve.

For a weekend, add all ingredients, set to low and go about your day. Crockpots can be extremely convenient to all of us with busy schedules who care about maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle.

What about Soup Mixes?

Soup mixes include all the ingredients within a bag. You just add the water or broth, onion, ham and cook as per the directions. We have never tried these, however, we have looked at a few options. Some include excessive amounts of sodium, while others appear fine. To select one, you must read the label.

If you look at the recipe, it is quite simple. If you decide to go with the mix, you still need to cut up the onion and ham. To make a fresh pot, there isn’t much more effort required. We don’t feel the mix is worth it for the following reasons:

• The mix is a very small bag. You won’t have many leftover for a future meal.
• The mixes are more expensive than making this recipe from scratch. A quick search found a mix bag at $8.99. A one pound bag of split peas can be found for around $1.50.
• The mix doesn’t save much time or effort. The work to make the soup homemade is well worth it.
• We haven’t tried the soup mix but would be willing to wager our homemade recipe tastes better.

How to Make this Split Pea Soup Recipe

You will be empowered to try this when you see how simple this soup is to prepare. To begin, cut up the vegetables as described below. Then heat an 8 quart Dutch oven and brown the bacon. Remove the bacon and reduce heat to medium. Add the vegetables to the Dutch oven and mix. Braise until the mixture becomes aromatic and begins to soften. Remove and set aside.

Add split peas, broth or water, bay leaf and tomato sauce to the Dutch oven. Turn to high. Once it begins to boil, lower to medium/ low and simmer for 2-3 hours. After 2 hours add the vegetables, meats and seasonings except for red wine vinegar. Cook for another hour until soup becomes thick and creamy. Remove ham and bacon from the soup and shred. Return and cook to combine. Add red wine vinegar and taste for seasoning. Adjust as necessary. Serve hot with your choice of toppings.

What can be Served with Split Pea Soup?

Enjoy this Recipe?

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