Hearty Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup with Ham
Warm up with a bowl of this delicious Hearty Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup, perfect for chilly days. Made with tender split peas, flavorful ham, and a medley of fresh vegetables, this comforting soup is easy to prepare in your slow cooker. Simply combine the ingredients and let your slow cooker do the work! Each spoonful offers a rich, savory taste that's ideal for family dinners or meal prep for the week. Enjoy this wholesome one-pot meal that’s not only satisfying but also packed with nutrients.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
water or stock
7 cups (ham or chicken stock can be used for more flavor.)
dried split peas
1 (16 ounce) package (rinsed and sorted (about 2 1/4 Cups))
salt
1 teaspoon (to taste)
pepper
1/4 teaspoon (to taste)
carrots
3 medium (cut into 1/4 inch slices (about 1 1/2 Cups))
celery
2 stalks (finely chopped (about 1 Cup))
onion
1 medium (chopped (about 1/2 cup))
ham shanks or smoked pork hocks
2 lbs (for added flavor)
Instructions
1
Start by rinsing and sorting the dried split peas to remove any debris.
2
In a 5-quart slow cooker, combine the rinsed split peas, water (or your choice of ham or chicken stock), salt, pepper, carrots, celery, and onion. Mix these ingredients well.
3
Next, add the ham shanks or smoked pork hocks to the slow cooker for an extra depth of flavor.
4
Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low heat for 8 to 10 hours, or on high heat for 6 to 7 hours, until the split peas are tender and the soup has thickened.
5
Once the cooking time is complete, remove the ham from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. Allow it to cool for a few minutes.
6
Using two forks, carefully pull the meat from the bones, discarding the bones and skin.
7
Stir the pulled ham back into the soup, mixing everything together until well combined.
8
Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired, and enjoy your hearty split pea soup!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup with Ham?
It is a comforting, nutrient-packed one-pot meal made with tender split peas, flavorful ham, and fresh vegetables prepared in a slow cooker.
How do I prepare the dried split peas?
Start by rinsing and sorting the dried split peas to remove any debris before adding them to the slow cooker.
What size slow cooker is recommended for this recipe?
A 5-quart slow cooker is recommended to accommodate all ingredients.
What are the cooking times for the low heat setting?
The soup should be cooked on low heat for 8 to 10 hours.
How long does it take to cook on the high heat setting?
If using the high heat setting, the soup will take 6 to 7 hours to cook.
Can I use something other than water for the base?
Yes, you can use ham or chicken stock instead of water for extra depth of flavor.
What specific types of meat are suggested for flavor?
The recipe suggests using 2 lbs of ham shanks or smoked pork hocks.
Which vegetables are included in the ingredient list?
The soup includes carrots, celery, and onion.
How many carrots should be used?
The recipe calls for 3 medium carrots, which is about 1 1/2 cups.
How should the carrots be sliced?
The carrots should be cut into 1/4 inch slices.
How much celery is required?
Use 2 stalks of celery, finely chopped to yield about 1 cup.
How should the onion be prepared?
Use 1 medium onion, chopped, which is approximately 1/2 cup.
How much liquid is needed in total?
The recipe requires 7 cups of water or stock.
What seasonings are added to the soup?
The soup is seasoned with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.
How many pounds of ham shanks are needed?
You will need 2 lbs of ham shanks or smoked pork hocks.
Is it necessary to soak the split peas overnight?
No, the instructions only specify rinsing and sorting the peas; soaking is not mentioned.
How do I know when the split peas are finished cooking?
The soup is ready when the split peas are tender and the liquid has thickened.
What should I do with the ham once the soup is done?
Remove the ham from the slow cooker, let it cool for a few minutes, and then pull the meat from the bones.
How do I remove the meat from the bones?
Use two forks to carefully pull the meat from the bones.
Should I keep the skin and bones in the final soup?
No, you should discard the bones and skin after removing the meat.
What is the final step before serving the soup?
Stir the pulled ham back into the soup and mix until everything is well combined.
Can I garnish this soup?
Yes, you can serve the soup hot and garnish it with fresh herbs if desired.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, this soup is ideal for meal prep for the week as it stores well.
Is this soup considered a one-pot meal?
Yes, it is a wholesome one-pot meal made entirely in the slow cooker.
Does this recipe contain many nutrients?
Yes, the soup is packed with nutrients from the split peas and fresh vegetables.
What is the approximate volume of split peas used?
One 16-ounce package of dried split peas is approximately 2 1/4 cups.
How much salt is recommended?
The recipe suggests 1 teaspoon of salt, or to taste.
How much pepper is used?
The recipe calls for 1/4 teaspoon of pepper, or to taste.
Can I adjust the seasonings?
Yes, the salt and pepper amounts can be adjusted according to your personal taste.
Is this a difficult recipe to make?
No, it is an easy recipe where you simply combine ingredients and let the slow cooker do the work.