Split Pea Soup with Ham is a hearty and comforting soup made with only 4 ingredients: shredded ham, sliced carrots, diced potatoes, and dried split peas creating its signature green hue.
The smoky, shredded ham comes from the leftovers of my delicious boiled ham recipe! This cherished split pea soup recipe has been passed down through four generations, starting with my mother-in-law many years ago. If a recipe has stood the test of time like this one, you know it’s going to be amazing!
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Split Pea Soup History
There is no question that when my kids were growing up, they would want me to read from their nursery rhymes book. Who would have known that “Pease porridge hot” refers to split pea soup?
The plural form of “pea” is pease, as illustrated in a 1765 nursery rhyme: Pease porridge hot, Pease porridge cold, Pease porridge in the pot, Nine days old.
How to Boil Ham for Split Pea Soup
The first thing you will want is a piece of ham with the bone in. I have a tendency to buy a large ham.
For the reason that, after the ham is boiled, my family will make sandwiches with what is not made into pea and ham soup. Makes for an evening of a easy meal that my whole family loves!!
After testing several brands in our area, I prefer to use the brand “Cook’s” which is a fully cooked bone-in shank portion. Place the ham shank in a large stock pot (16 quart) of cold water.
Following this, make a few cuts in the ham by poking a sharp boning knife into the meat all the way to the bone.
Bring to a slow boil. Continue boiling for 1 to 2 hours turning ham occasionally. Cool the meat, leaving the ham in the water.
To do this you will have to place the pot into the sink, then fill sink with cold water and ice. Once it has cooled down enough, place pot (ham and water) into the refrigerator until ready to use.
What Do Dried Peas Look Like?
The dried peas are split in half and are green in color. Dried split peas can be purchased at your local grocery store or you can buy them online.
The main issue with the peas is making sure you sort through them and take out any foreign objects like rocks or bad peas.
How to Make Pea Soup
Prepare the Ham: Take the cold ham out of the ham water and set it on a plate. This will be shredded later to add to your soup.
Gather Your Ingredients: Collect your potatoes, carrots, and dried split peas needed for the recipe.
Strain the Ham Water: Strain the ham water to remove any impurities and achieve a clear soup base.
Heat the Base: Return the ham water to the large stock pot, place it on the stove, and bring it to a boil.
Add the Peas: Once the ham water is boiling, add the cleaned dried split peas to the pot. Stir frequently to prevent scorching—this is the most important tip for making perfect split pea soup!
Dried Split Peas Cooking Time?
Cook the Split Peas: Cooking time for split peas can vary depending on the brand, water temperature, and how smooth you like the soup. For completely dissolved peas, simmer the soup on low for about an hour, stirring every 5 minutes to prevent sticking.
Add the Vegetables: When the peas are about 50% cooked down, add the diced potatoes and sliced carrots. Continue stirring regularly until the peas are completely dissolved and the vegetables are tender.
Shred and Add the Ham: While the soup is simmering, shred the ham into bite-sized pieces. Add the shredded ham to the soup and stir well to combine. Enjoy your homemade split pea soup with ham—it’s warm, hearty, and perfect for any occasion!
More Soup Recipes
My homemade soups are made from scratch and ones that I have been preparing for over 30 years. Make sure to try some of my other soup recipes!!
Such as this Cheese Broccoli Cauliflower Soup, Flavorful Beef Barley Soup, and Roasted Corn Chowder Soup. My husband makes his famous Fish Chowder Soup with the fresh Michigan fish that he catches.
Split Pea Soup with Ham
Split Pea Soup with Ham is a soup typically made from dried split peas and is often green in color. This split pea soup with hambone is a family recipe.
Ingredients
- Ham, smoked, bone-in shank, fully cooked 4 pounds
- Dried Split Peas 1.5 pounds
- Potatoes, peeled, medium diced 5 each (medium sized)
- Carrots, peeled, sliced 6 each (medium sized)
Instructions
- With a filet knife, cut several slits in the ham all the way to the bone. In a large stock pot, place the ham and fill with water to cover the ham. On medium heat bring to a boil and boil for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, turning ham every so often. The last time you turn ham make sure to have the ham with the large cut-side up and the small cut-side down. Cool ham by placing the whole pot of ham and water in the sink, fill sink with cold water and ice cubes. Let pot cool down and then place the whole pot into the refridgerator.
- Time to make the soup! From this point you need to take the cold ham out of the ham water and set on a plate. Slice what you want for sandwiches if needed. Separate the fat from the ham meat and shred into bit-sized pieces.
- Gather your potatoes, carrots and dried split peas needed to make the split pea soup recipe. Peel and dice the potatoes into medium sized pieces. Peel and slice the carrots. Sort through the dried split peas and take out any foreign objects like rocks or bad peas.
- Strain the ham water to achieve a clear base. I had about 18 cups of ham liquid to start my soup. Return ham water to the large stock pot, place on the stove and bring to a boil. Once ham water is boiling add the cleaned peas. When making split pea and ham soup, the most important thing to remember is “don’t let the peas scorch on the bottom of the pot. So, stir, stir and stir some more!! I stir about every 5 minutes.
- Dried split peas cooking time?
Split pea cooking time varies depending on the brand of the peas, the water temperature and if you want the peas completely dissolved. I prefer to have my peas completely cooked down which takes about an hour at a low simmer and stirring about every 5 minutes. - This healthy split pea soup needs some vegetables! When peas are about 50% cooked down it’s time to add the diced potatoes and sliced carrots. Continue stirring the pea and ham soup until peas are completely dissolved and carrots and potatoes are tender. In the meantime, shred the ham and add to the split pea soup anytime after you add the potatoes and carrots.
Notes
I used a 7 pound ham shank for this recipe that I boiled and then used 4 pounds of the meat for the soup that was shredded up. My family likes to have sliced ham to make sandwiches with, so that is why I use a larger ham.
Nutrition Information
Yield
24Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 176Total Fat 4gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 2gCholesterol 48mgSodium 749mgCarbohydrates 15gFiber 3gSugar 2gProtein 20g
Note: For exact nutritional information, consult your dietitian. All nutritional information is simply a guideline.
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