Mom’s Classic Split Pea Soup
Total Time: 2 hours
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 8
Description: This beloved recipe from my mother is a hearty, “stand-up spoon” thick split pea soup that has fed a family of 13 hungry kids and kept them coming back for more. The soup is rich with vegetables, potatoes, and a delicious ham base, making it perfect for a satisfying meal. It’s a classic comfort food, and all you’ll need to complete the meal is some crackers on the side. Enjoy this nourishing bowl of soup that brings back memories and warms the soul! 🌟🥣
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups split peas
- 2 cups diced ham
- 1 1/2 cups chopped celery
- 1/2 cup chopped onions
- 12 medium carrots, peeled and diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic granules
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
- 1/4 cup bacon (optional)
- 6 cups water
- 1 tablespoon chicken base
Instructions
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Rinse the Split Peas: Begin by thoroughly rinsing the split peas under cold water. This helps remove any dust or impurities that might be on the peas, ensuring a cleaner, fresher flavor in your soup. 🥣💦
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Prepare the Base: In a large pot, bring the 6 cups of water to a simmer. Add the chicken base to the water, stirring until it dissolves completely. This will create a rich, flavorful broth for your soup. 🌟🍲
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Cook the Ham: Once the chicken base is dissolved, add the diced ham to the pot. Let it simmer gently for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
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Add Split Peas: Stir in the rinsed split peas. Continue to simmer the mixture, stirring frequently, until the peas are soft and fully cooked. This can take approximately 45 minutes to an hour. Make sure to stir constantly to prevent the peas from sticking to the bottom of the pot and burning. 🕒✨
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Prepare the Vegetables: While the peas are cooking, peel and dice the carrots, celery, and onions. Mince the garlic, or use pre-minced garlic for convenience. Dice the potatoes and keep them submerged in a bowl of water to prevent browning until you’re ready to add them to the soup. 🥕🧅🧄
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Add Vegetables and Seasonings: Once the split peas are cooked and well-blended into the soup base, add the prepared carrots, celery, onions, and diced potatoes to the pot. Stir in the minced garlic, onion powder, garlic granules, coarse salt, and dried parsley flakes. If you’re using bacon, you can also add it at this stage for extra flavor. 🍲🌿
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Simmer: Allow the soup to continue simmering until all the vegetables are tender. This should take approximately 1 hour. Stir frequently to ensure that nothing sticks to the bottom of the pot and burns. Adjust the seasoning if needed, adding more salt or pepper to taste. 🕒🍴
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Serve: Once the vegetables are tender and the soup has reached the desired thickness, serve it hot with crackers on the side. This classic soup pairs perfectly with a crunchy, salty side to complement its rich flavors. 🥄🍞
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 405.8
- Fat: 3.7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 22.1 mg
- Sodium: 1637.7 mg
- Carbohydrates: 63.5 g
- Fiber: 25 g
- Sugar: 12.3 g
- Protein: 32 g
Keywords: Stove Top, < 4 Hours
Enjoy this hearty, nourishing soup that’s perfect for a family meal or a cozy night in. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just yourself, this recipe will bring warmth and satisfaction to your table. Happy cooking! 🌟🍲🥄
