Creamy Split Pea Soup with Savory Ham
Warm your soul on a cold winter evening with this hearty, creamy Split Pea Soup featuring tender ham pieces. Inspired by a classic recipe, I’ve added a touch of creaminess and depth by incorporating milk and a blend of seasonings. The earthy flavors of split peas, paired with the savory richness of ham, create the perfect comfort food that nourishes both body and spirit. Whether enjoyed for lunch, a cozy dinner, or as a satisfying snack, this soup is sure to become a staple in your winter recipe collection.
4
Servings
240
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
olive oil
1 tablespoon (none)
yellow onions
2 cups (chopped)
salt
to taste (none)
black pepper
to taste (freshly ground)
crushed red pepper flakes
to taste (none)
garlic
1 tablespoon (chopped)
bay leaf
1 (none)
dried split peas
1 lb (picked over and rinsed)
chicken broth
8 cups (none)
milk
1 cup (none)
ham steak
1 (cut into 1-inch pieces)
hot sauce
to taste (optional)
Instructions
1
In a large soup pot over medium-high heat, pour in the olive oil.
2
Add the chopped onions, then season generously with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes.
3
Sauté the onions for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently until they become translucent.
4
Stir in the chopped garlic and bay leaf, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
5
Add the rinsed split peas to the pot, stirring to combine all the ingredients.
6
Pour in the chicken broth and add the diced ham. Bring the mixture to a boil.
7
Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for approximately 1 hour, or until the split peas are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
8
After the peas are soft and fully cooked, remove the pot from heat and let it cool for a few minutes.
9
Discard the bay leaf. Slowly stir in the milk for added creaminess.
10
Using a hand-held blender or a potato masher, blend the soup to your desired consistency—smooth or slightly chunky.
11
For an extra kick, drizzle in hot sauce to taste before serving.
12
Serve hot, garnished with additional black pepper or red pepper flakes if desired.
Nutrition Information
5g
Fat
15g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Split Pea Soup with Savory Ham?
It is a hearty, creamy soup featuring tender ham pieces, split peas, and milk for added depth and richness.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe produces 4 servings.
How many calories are in one serving of this soup?
There are 240 calories per serving.
What is the protein content per serving?
Each serving contains 15g of protein.
How much fat is in this recipe?
There is 5g of fat per serving.
What type of onions are recommended?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of chopped yellow onions.
How much olive oil is required?
You will need 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
How many split peas are needed for this recipe?
The recipe requires 1 lb of dried split peas.
How should I prepare the split peas?
The split peas should be picked over and rinsed before cooking.
How much chicken broth is used?
The recipe uses 8 cups of chicken broth.
What ingredient makes this soup creamy?
1 cup of milk is stirred in at the end to add creaminess.
How should the ham steak be prepared?
The ham steak should be cut into 1-inch pieces.
What seasonings are used in the soup?
Seasonings include salt, freshly ground black pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, garlic, and a bay leaf.
How long should I sauté the onions?
Sauté the onions for about 2 minutes until they become translucent.
When should I add the garlic?
Stir in the chopped garlic and bay leaf after the onions have sautéed for 2 minutes.
How long does the soup need to simmer?
Simmer the soup uncovered for approximately 1 hour, or until the split peas are tender.
Should the pot be covered during simmering?
No, the recipe specifies to simmer the mixture uncovered.
What should I do with the bay leaf?
Discard the bay leaf after the soup has finished simmering and before blending.
When is the milk added to the soup?
Slowly stir in the milk after the pot has been removed from the heat and allowed to cool for a few minutes.
What tools can I use to blend the soup?
You can use either a hand-held blender or a potato masher.
Can I make the soup spicy?
Yes, you can drizzle in hot sauce to taste before serving for an extra kick.
What are the suggested garnishes?
Garnish with additional black pepper or red pepper flakes if desired.
What category does this recipe fall under?
It is categorized as Lunch/Snacks.
How many total ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 12 ingredients listed in the recipe.
Is this soup considered a comfort food?
Yes, the description identifies it as the perfect comfort food for cold winter evenings.
How do I start cooking the soup?
Begin by pouring olive oil into a large soup pot over medium-high heat.
How much garlic is used?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of chopped garlic.
What is the desired consistency of the soup?
You can blend the soup to your preference, whether you like it smooth or slightly chunky.
What is the flavor profile of the soup?
It features earthy flavors from the split peas combined with the savory richness of ham.
Is this recipe suitable for winter?
Yes, it is specifically noted as a staple for a winter recipe collection.