Ham and Split Pea Soup Recipe — A Great Soup

4.8
(849)

This hearty split pea soup with ham has a slightly sweet, somewhat salty, and subtle smoky flavor. An ideal fall or winter soup — great for lunch or dinner.

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Prep Time:
15 mins
Cook Time:
1 hr 30 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 45 mins
Servings:
8

This cozy split pea soup with ham is hearty, flavorful, and oh-so comforting — a delicious way to use leftover ham.

How to Make Split Pea Soup With Ham

You'll find a detailed ingredient list and step-by-step instructions in the recipe below, but let's go over the basics:

Split Pea with Ham Soup Ingredients

These are the ingredients you’ll need for this classic ham and split pea soup recipe: 

  • Butter: Sauté the vegetables in butter for a rich flavor base. 
  • Vegetables: The flavorful recipe starts with celery and onions. Of course, you’ll also need dried split peas! 
  • Seasonings: This split pea soup with ham recipe is seasoned with fresh garlic, salt, pepper, and a bay leaf. 
  • Ham: A pound of diced ham lends tons of savory, meaty flavor. 
  • Stock: Use a quart of store-bought or homemade chicken stock (plus 2 ½ cups of water). 

How to Make Split Pea with Ham Soup

Here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make split pea soup with ham at home: 

  1. Cook the garlic, onions, and celery in butter. 
  2. Add the split peas, ham, and bay leaf. Stir in the stock and water. 
  3. Cook until the peas are tender and the soup is thick. Season with salt and pepper.

What to Serve With Split Pea and Ham Soup

This satisfying split pea and ham soup is quite filling, so it’s not necessary to pair it with any sides — but a crusty French bread, homemade croutons, or a grilled cheese sandwich for dipping will take this comfort food recipe over the top.

How to Store Split Pea Soup With Ham

Store your leftover ham and split pea soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave. If you don’t think you’ll eat the soup within three days, you can freeze it for up to three months. 

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

“I have made this recipe several times and it is delicious,” raves Joann Nalewanski. “The only thing that I did differently was to boil the ham bone a day ahead and used the ham stock (refrigerate it overnight and skim the fat off the next day) instead of the chicken broth and water.”

“This is the best soup I ever made,” according to karengseltzer. “Prep was simple with just the right amount of ingredients. Easy to make. I had the bone left from a baked ham and put that in the pot, too. Perfect for a cold winter day.”

“I love this recipe for leftover ham from Thanksgiving!” says kpbella. “I've made it 3 times so far... no edits in ingredients. I cooked it in a crockpot on low for 8 hours. DEEEELISH!”

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 8 servings

  • 2 tablespoons butter

  • 2 ribs celery, diced

  • ½ onion, diced

  • 3 cloves garlic, sliced

  • 1 pound dried split peas, rinsed

  • 1 pound cooked ham, diced

  • 1 bay leaf

  • 1 quart chicken stock

  • 2 ½ cups water

  • salt and ground black pepper to taste

Directions

  1. Melt butter in a large soup pot over medium-low heat. Stir in celery, onion, and sliced garlic; cook and stir until onions are translucent but not brown, 5 to 8 minutes.

  2. Stir in split peas, ham, and bay leaf. Pour in chicken stock and water; stir to combine and simmer until peas are tender and soup has thickened, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Stir occasionally. Season with salt and black pepper to serve.

    close up view of a bowl of ham and split pea soup in a bowl, with toasted bread on the side
    Kim's Cooking Now
1,736 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

374 Calories
14g Fat
37g Carbs
25g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Calories 374
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 14g 18%
Saturated Fat 6g 29%
Cholesterol 40mg 13%
Sodium 1187mg 52%
Total Carbohydrate 37g 13%
Dietary Fiber 15g 54%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 25g 50%
Vitamin C 23mg 25%
Calcium 54mg 4%
Iron 3mg 17%
Potassium 805mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.