Basic Split Pea Soup Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup diced white onion
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic 
• 1 cup diced carrots
• 1 cup diced celery
• 6 cups chicken or vegetable stock
• 1 ham bone or smoked ham hock
• 1 pound dry split green peas rinsed and sorted
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

Optional Meat Additions

• 2 cups diced ham
• 6-8 lices diced thick cut bacon (fry with vegetables in step 1)
• 1 pound cooked and drained ground beef (amazing, trust me!)

Optional Vegetable Additions

• 2 cups diced russet potatoes
• 1/3 cup barley (add in 1 cup extra broth if using)
• 1 cup sliced white mushrooms (fry with vegetables in step 1)

Optional Spice Additions

• 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke (if not using any ham/hocks/bacon)
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
• Pinch of red pepper flakes