Name: Split Pea Soup (without ham)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 1 onion ((large, chopped)); 1 cup dried split peas ((rinsed)); 2 potatoes ((medium sized, peeled and diced)); 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil; 5 ½ cups vegetable stock ((or chicken stock)); 1 tsp Kosher salt; ¼ tsp black pepper ((more or less, to taste)); 1 Tbsp milk ((cream or half and half, optional))

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This tasty split pea soup is made without the traditional ham (so it’s vegetarian), requires no soaking of peas and is therefore, quick and easy to make. Want it vegan? Just use vegetable stock.

overhead shot split pea soup

Originally published October 25th, 2013.

I’ve been making this split pea soup since before my kids were born.

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One of the nicest things about having this website is that my son, Steven, who attends Georgetown University, can find a lot of the the recipes for simple dishes he’s used to eating at home. He has no meal plan this year so it’s great that he can cook for himself. (Please note: this is republished from 7 years ago, my son graduated from university 5 years ago.)

split pea soup in a red bowl

Incidentally, I just sent him a care package last week, which included an immersion blender, and bags of lentils, beans and split peas. Yes, I know, it’s not your typical care package, but I did include some British chocolate. However, I must add that he wasn’t too excited about the chocolate as he hasn’t been eating any sweets for the past month or so.

Is he really my son?

Another super easy and tasty recipe: celery soup!

Can I make this split pea soup vegan?

It’s so easy to make this soup vegan! All you have to do is use vegetable stock and skip the milk at the end (or you can use a plant based milk).

You may also enjoy this other pea soup recipe.

In short, I’m posting this split pea soup for Steven, but I hope you’ll try it too! There’s no ham in this recipe and you can easily make it completely vegetarian (and vegan) by substituting vegetable stock for the chicken stock. It’s a lighter version of the standard split pea soup, and tastes even better with some warm, crusty bread, or some garlic croutons!

Split Pea Soup

I’ve been making this so long, I don’t remember the source serves 6

FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW

Prepare the Soup Base

In a large pot, sauté the onion over medium high heat in the extra virgin olive oil until it becomes transparent and starts to become soft. Add the stock.

adding stock to soup

Next add the split peas.

Then the potatoes, and stir well.

Simmer

Next, bring to a boil, and add salt. Then reduce the heat and simmer on low heat for 35 to 40 minutes or until peas are soft, stirring occasionally.

Blend the Split Pea Soup

Remove from heat and blend until smooth with an immersion blender or a counter-top blender.

blending the split pea soup

The soup should be completely smooth. Taste for salt and pepper; add as needed.

spoonful of split pea soup

Finally, add a splash of milk, cream or half and half, if desired.

adding cream to soup

Serve the Split Pea Soup

Ladle into bowls and serve hot.

Serve split pea soup hot with more black pepper and crusty bread, or croutons.

Enjoy; it’s a fabulously guilt-free, delicious soup!

Here’s a Greek spring soup recipe from What a Girl Eats, if you’re in the mood for soups!

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