Savory Pea Soup Recipe

A Good, Honest Soup

This soup is like a warm hug. It is simple and good. I make it when the sky turns gray and the air gets chilly.

It reminds me of my own grandma. She said a good soup fills your belly and your heart. I think she was right. What meal always makes you feel cozy inside?

The Humble Split Pea

Let’s talk about split peas. They look like little green pebbles. But they cook down into the creamiest soup.

You do not need to soak them. Just rinse them in a colander. Fun fact: split peas are just regular peas that have been dried and split in half! This matters because it makes them cook faster. They are a little kitchen helper.

The Sizzle and Simmer

First, we get the pot hot. Add the oil. Then in go the onion, celery, and carrot. Doesn’t that smell amazing? That sizzle is the start of something good.

Once they look a little soft, add everything else. The peas, the stock, and that big ham bone. Let it all come to a boil. Then put the lid on and let it whisper for about an hour.

The Ham Bone Secret

The ham bone is the magic. It gives the soup a deep, smoky flavor. I remember my neighbor giving me her leftover bone. Her soup was famous.

After the soup cooks, you take the bone out. Let it cool. Then you pick off all the good meat. Toss those ham pieces back in the pot. This matters because it turns one meal into two. Nothing goes to waste.

The Final Touches

Do not forget to take out the bay leaves! They are like little tree shapes. They did their job, but we do not eat them.

Now, taste your soup. Add a little salt and pepper until it sings. I love to top it with crunchy sourdough croutons. Do you like a crunchy or soft topping on your soup?

A Bowl Full of Goodness

This soup is packed with fiber and protein. It keeps you full and gives you energy. That is important on a busy day.

It is a meal that asks you to slow down. To enjoy each warm spoonful. It is a simple pot of soup, but it brings people together. What is your favorite soup to share with your family?

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Olive oil	1 tablespoon
Onion	1, diced
Celery	3 stalks, diced
Carrots	3, diced
Chicken stock	6 cups	preferably homemade
Water	2 cups
Dried split peas	16 ounces
Garlic	1 clove, minced
Bay leaves	2
Fresh thyme	1 tablespoon, chopped	or 1/2 tsp dried
Meaty ham bone or ham shanks	1 1/2 pound
Salt and pepper	to taste
Sourdough croutons	optional	for topping

A Pot of Peas and a Pocketful of Stories

Hello, my dear. Come sit with me. Let’s make my favorite pea soup. This recipe is like an old friend. It warms you right down to your toes. I got it from my own grandma, many years ago. I still laugh at that. She taught me in her kitchen, just like this.

• Step 1: Let’s start with the veggies. Warm some olive oil in your biggest pot. Toss in the onion, celery, and carrots. We just want them to get a little soft. Doesn’t that smell amazing? It is the best start to any soup. (My hard-learned tip: chop your carrots small. They need time to get sweet and tender!).
• Step 2: Now, pour in the chicken stock and water. Add all your split peas, garlic, and those lovely herbs. The bay leaves look like little boats. They float around and give such a nice flavor. My grandson calls them the “soup fairies.”
• Step 3: Here comes the magic. Plop in the big ham bone. Let everything come to a happy boil. Then, put the lid on and let it whisper for about an hour. The peas will get so soft they fall apart. What’s your favorite cozy smell in the kitchen? Share below!
• Step 4 & 5: Carefully take the ham bone out. Let it cool on a plate. Once you can touch it, the fun begins. Pull all that good meat off the bone. Use your kitchen shears to snip it into little bites. This part always makes me think of puzzle pieces.
• Step 6 & 7: Toss all that ham right back into the pot. Do not forget to fish out the bay leaves. Nobody wants a surprise leaf in their bowl. Give the soup a good taste. Add salt and pepper until it sings to you.

Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Yield: 6 big bowls
Category: Dinner, Soup

Three Tasty Twists on Grandma’s Soup

This soup is wonderful as it is. But sometimes, it is fun to play. You can change it up for any day or mood. Here are a few ideas from my kitchen to yours.

• Smoky Veggie Swap: Skip the ham bone. Use a big spoonful of smoked paprika instead. It gives that cozy, smoky flavor without any meat.
• Spring Green Dream: Use fresh or frozen peas instead of dried. Add them at the very end. The soup stays a beautiful, bright green.
• Spicy Kick: Love a little heat? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the herbs. It will warm you up in a whole new way. Which one would you try first? Comment below!

Making Your Soup Supper Special

A good bowl of soup deserves good company. I love to serve this with a thick slice of buttered bread. You can dip it right in. Those sourdough croutons on top are a must for a happy crunch.

A simple green salad on the side is perfect. It makes the meal feel fresh and complete. For a drink, a cold glass of apple cider is so nice. The sweet tang goes beautifully with the savory soup.

For the grown-ups, a pale ale is a wonderful pairing. Its crisp taste cuts through the rich, thick soup beautifully. It is my husband’s favorite way to enjoy it. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Pea Soup Cozy for Later

This soup gets even better the next day. Let it cool completely first. Then pop it in the fridge for up to four days.

You can also freeze it for a rainy day. I use old yogurt containers. They are the perfect single-serving size. My grandson calls it my “soup library.”

I once forgot a pot on the stove overnight. I was so sad to lose that soup. Now I always set a timer to remind me to put it away. Reheat it gently on the stove with a splash of water.

Having a ready-made meal in the freezer is a lifesaver. It means a warm, healthy dinner is always minutes away. This matters on busy days when you are just too tired to cook.

Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for a Perfect Pot of Soup

Is your soup too thick? Just add a little more broth or water. Stir it in until it looks just right. I remember when my first pot turned into pea cement.

Not enough flavor? Let the soup simmer a bit longer. The flavors need time to get to know each other. Always taste it at the end before you serve.

Getting the timing right builds your cooking confidence. You learn to trust your own taste buds. This is how you make a recipe truly your own.

Is your soup too salty? This is a tricky one. Try adding a peeled, chopped potato. It will soak up some of the extra salt as it cooks.

Fixing small problems makes your food taste so much better. A good cook is just someone who knows how to fix little mistakes. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Pea Soup Questions, Answered

Q: Is this soup gluten-free?
A: Yes, it is! Just check your chicken stock label to be sure.

Q: Can I make it ahead of time?
A: Absolutely. Make it the day before. The flavors will be even richer.

Q: What if I do not have a ham bone?
A: Use two cups of diced ham instead. Add it at the very end to warm through.

Q: Can I double the recipe?
A: Of course! Just use your biggest pot. Fun fact: Split peas are actually dried peas split in half!

Q: Are the croutons necessary?
A: No, but they add a lovely crunch. A dollop of plain yogurt is also nice. Which tip will you try first?

Until Next Time, From My Kitchen to Yours

I hope this soup warms your home like it warms mine. It is a hug in a bowl. I love hearing about your cooking adventures.

If you give this recipe a try, I would love to see it. Your photos and stories make my day. Sharing food is one of life’s greatest joys.

Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest!

Happy cooking!
—Elowen Thorn.