My Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup Is the Perfect Remix for Leftover Ham
A terrific soup that has been cooked all day is one of life's most simple pleasures. When you've been out and about all day, nothing feels as good as coming home to wind down with a big bowl of something warm and delicious. How do you prepare most of your soup recipes this time of year? Do you prefer quick-cooking stove-top staples, or do you put your slow cooker to work like me? I think my favorite soups and stews are those that can basically make themselves without a lot of attention. And this Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup is the perfect example of a "dump and go" dinner. While it might be a little vintage in theory, it's just as tasty today, as it was when grandma made it.
Related: 75 Best Crock Pot Soup Recipes
I have been making this split pea soup since I was first married, and it's actually a recipe my husband brought with him! It's based on something he used to eat as a kid, and while I've tweaked it here and there over the years—and turned it into a slow cooker recipe—the basic elements are still the same. It's one of our favorite soups, especially this time of year when we have leftover Christmas or Easter ham sitting in the fridge.
Related: 100+ Sensational Soup Recipes to Warm You Up This Winter and Year-Round
If you don't have leftover ham, you can easily use pre-diced store-bought ham, which is what I use the rest of the year. After some chopping of veggies, you stir and cook. You can literally prep this in the morning before you leave for work in about 10 minutes.
Related: 50 Best Leftover Ham Recipes for That Post-Holiday Purge
How To Make Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup
1. You will start by chopping the carrots and onions very fine. Later in the cooking process, you will smash up the peas for a smoother consistency, so you don't want big chunks of vegetables.
Krista Marshall
2. Next, add the chopped veggies, dry peas and diced ham to the slow cooker. One of the things I love about this soup is unlike bean soups, the dried peas don't need to be pre-soaked before cooking.
Krista Marshall
3. Finally, you will add broth, water and seasonings. Stir it up, pop the lid on and walk away! How easy is that?
Krista Marshall
4. Something this delicious usually isn't this easy, but this soup is no-fail every single time! Even people that don't think they like split pea soup have raved about this version. I hope you try it on a cold night this winter and your family loves it as much as mine!
More Slow-Cooker Soup Recipes:
Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup Recipe
Ingredients
1½ lbs dried split peas
4 cups chicken broth
2 cups water
5 medium carrots, diced
1 medium yellow onion, diced
2 cups cooked ham, diced
½ tsp dried thyme
salt and pepper
Add all ingredients to slow cooker.
Stir well.
Cook on low 5-7 hours.
After about 4 hours, use potato masher to mash some of the peas.
When finished, if too thick, thin out with some extra broth if needed.
