Description
A warm and hearty split pea soup that’s perfect for chilly days, packed with nutrients and easy to make.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup dried green or yellow split peas, rinsed and drained
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups vegetable broth or water
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: 1-2 smoked sausage links or turkey bacon for extra flavor
- Optional: Fresh herbs (like parsley or thyme) for garnish
Instructions
- Start by heating the olive oil or butter in a large pot over medium heat. Once hot, add the diced onion, sautéing until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the carrots, celery, and garlic. Sauté them for another 3-4 minutes until aromatic.
- Incorporate the rinsed split peas and stir to coat everything in the onion mixture. This helps deepen the flavors.
- Next, pour in the vegetable broth or water. Toss in the bay leaf and thyme. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for about 45 minutes to an hour. You’ll know it’s done when the peas have softened and broken down, creating a creamy texture.
- If you opted for smoked sausage or turkey bacon, add them during the last 15 minutes of cooking to impart flavor without overcooking the meat.
- Remove the bay leaf, and season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. For an extra creamy finish, use an immersion blender to blend some of the soup directly in the pot, or simply transfer a portion to a blender.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired. Enjoy the warmth and heartiness of this delightful soup!
Notes
For a vegan version, skip the sausage and use vegetable broth. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 15g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 0mg