Hearty Pea & Ham Chowder with Bacon and Potatoes
This rich and hearty chowder combines the earthy flavors of split peas with smoky bacon, tender ham, and creamy potatoes for a comforting meal. Inspired by countless recipes for pea soup, this version stands out with its robust flavor and thick texture, making it perfect for chilly days. The addition of fresh vegetables adds a delightful crunch, while the savory ham bone infuses the soup with depth. An absolute crowd-pleaser, it’s an ideal dish for family gatherings, cozy dinners, or meal prep for your week ahead. Give it a try, and you’ll likely find it becomes a staple in your culinary repertoire!
N/A
Servings
230
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
dry split green peas
2 cups (rinsed)
dry whole green peas
1 cup (rinsed)
bacon
9 slices (cut into pieces)
red onions
1.5 cups (medium chopped)
celery
1 cup (medium chopped)
green bell peppers
1.5 cups (medium chopped)
garlic
3 teaspoons (minced)
bay leaves
2 (whole)
marjoram
0.5 teaspoon (dried)
ground black pepper
0.5 teaspoon (to taste)
water
7 cups (as needed)
chicken bouillon granules
2 teaspoons (as needed)
beef bouillon granules
2 teaspoons (as needed)
ham bone
1 (with leftover meat)
russet potatoes
2 lbs (peeled and cut into cubes)
Instructions
1
Rinse the split and whole peas thoroughly in a colander and set aside to drain.
2
Medium chop the red onion, celery, and green bell pepper. Cut the bacon into small pieces.
3
In a large soup pot, add the bacon, and cook over medium-high heat until crispy, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. This should take about 6-8 minutes.
4
Add the chopped onions, celery, and green bell pepper to the pot with the bacon. Cook for another 5-7 minutes, or until the onions become translucent and the vegetables soften.
5
Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute, just until fragrant.
6
Add the bay leaves, marjoram, black pepper, rinsed peas, water, and bouillon granules. Mix well to combine all the ingredients.
7
Introduce the ham bone to the pot and bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
8
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for about 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
9
After 1.5 hours, remove the ham bone from the soup and let it cool for a few minutes on a plate.
10
While the bone cools, peel and cut the russet potatoes into bite-sized cubes and add them to the simmering pot of soup. If the soup seems too thick, feel free to add a little extra water to reach your desired consistency.
11
Once the ham bone is cool enough to handle, carefully remove any remaining ham from the bone, chop it into bite-sized pieces, and return it to the soup. Discard any large pieces of fat from the bone.
12
Continue simmering the soup for another 30 to 45 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
13
Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary before serving hot. Enjoy the heartiness of this chowder on its own, or with crusty bread on the side!
Nutrition Information
11
Fat
29
Carbs
11
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Pea & Ham Chowder with Bacon and Potatoes?
It is a rich and hearty soup that combines split peas, smoky bacon, tender ham, and creamy potatoes for a comforting meal.
What types of peas are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 2 cups of dry split green peas and 1 cup of dry whole green peas.
How much bacon do I need?
You will need 9 slices of bacon, cut into pieces.
What vegetables are required for the base?
The base consists of red onions, celery, and green bell peppers.
How long should I cook the bacon?
Cook the bacon over medium-high heat for about 6-8 minutes until it is crispy.
When should the garlic be added?
Add the minced garlic after the onions, celery, and peppers have softened, and sauté for about one minute until fragrant.
What herbs and spices season this chowder?
The soup is seasoned with 2 bay leaves, 0.5 teaspoon of dried marjoram, and 0.5 teaspoon of ground black pepper.
How much liquid is used for the soup base?
The recipe calls for 7 cups of water, which can be adjusted as needed for consistency.
What kind of bouillon is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses a combination of 2 teaspoons of chicken bouillon granules and 2 teaspoons of beef bouillon granules.
Is a ham bone necessary?
Yes, one ham bone with leftover meat is used to infuse the soup with depth and flavor.
How long is the initial simmering time?
The mixture should simmer gently for about 1.5 hours after reaching a rolling boil.
When do I add the potatoes?
Potatoes are added after the initial 1.5-hour simmer and after the ham bone has been removed.
What type of potatoes are recommended?
The recipe recommends using 2 lbs of russet potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes.
What should I do with the ham bone once it is removed?
Let it cool, remove any remaining meat, chop it into pieces, and return the meat to the soup while discarding the bone and fat.
How long do the potatoes need to cook?
Simmer for an additional 30 to 45 minutes until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
What should I do if the soup is too thick?
You can add a little extra water to reach your desired consistency if the soup appears too thick.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, it is described as an ideal dish for family gatherings, cozy dinners, or meal prep for the week ahead.
What are the nutritional values for this chowder?
Each serving contains approximately 230 calories, 11g of fat, 29g of carbohydrates, and 11g of protein.
How should I serve this pea and ham chowder?
It can be enjoyed on its own or served with crusty bread on the side.
What is the total number of ingredients in this recipe?
There are 15 ingredients in total.
Do I need to rinse the peas?
Yes, you should rinse both the dry split and dry whole peas thoroughly in a colander before using.
What size should I chop the vegetables?
The red onion, celery, and green bell pepper should be medium chopped.
Can I use different types of onions?
The recipe specifically calls for red onions, but you could substitute others if necessary.
What is the texture of this soup?
It is a thick and robust chowder with a creamy texture from the potatoes and peas.
How many bay leaves are required?
The recipe requires 2 whole bay leaves.
What heat setting should I use for simmering?
Once the soup has reached a boil, reduce the heat to low for a gentle simmer.
Is there any salt added to the recipe?
The recipe relies on bacon, ham bone, and bouillon granules for saltiness, though you can adjust seasonings to taste.
What are some tags associated with this recipe?
Tags include pea soup, ham soup, bacon chowder, comfort food, and hearty soup.
Can I make this soup without a ham bone?
While the bone adds significant flavor, you could use additional ham meat, though the depth of flavor may vary.
How many servings does this recipe make?
The provided data does not specify the exact number of servings, but it is described as a crowd-pleaser for families.