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Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup with Ham

Making Split Pea Soup in the Slow Cooker is so easy and perfect for busy weeknight meals. It's also freezer friendly, so you can make a batch and freeze the leftovers for another night.

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
10 hrs
Total Time
10 hrs
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 383 kcal
Course: Lunch , Dinner
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces dried split peas
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 medium chopped onion
  • 2 to 3 cloves garlic (chopped)
  • 2 large carrots (peeled and chopped)
  • 2 smoked ham hocks (removing bones and skin or 8 ounces diced ham steaks)
  • 6 cups chicken bone broth (or chicken broth)
  • black pepper (to taste)
  • 1 dry bay leaf

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Wash and drain the peas in a colander.
  2. In a small skillet, saute onions and garlic in oil over medium heat until soft, about 3 minutes.
  3. Transfer to the slow cooker and add peas, carrots, ham or ham hock, chicken broth and bay leaf and cover; cook on LOW 8 to 10 hours or HIGH 4 to 5 hours, until the peas are tender. (Note: comments some people had success with 6 hours low, so check at the 6 hour mark.)
  4. Remove ham or ham hock and season with black pepper. Adjust salt, to taste (this will vary depending on how salty the ham is).
  5. If using ham hocks, discard the skin and shred the pork off the bone, add back to the soup.

Notes

  • Variations
  • Ham Steaks: If you can't find smoked ham hocks, use a leftover ham bone or ham steak.
  • Smoked Turkey: If you don't eat pork, you can swap the ham for a smoked turkey leg or smoked turkey sausage.
  • Vegetarian: To make this vegetarian, leave the ham out, swap the broth for vegetarian broth and add more salt.
  • Extra Greens: Stir in some baby spinach or kale during the last 15 minutes of cooking for added nutrients and color.
  • Fresh Herbs: Play around with different herbs, like fresh cilantro, parsley or chives stirred in or as a garnish.

Nutrition Information

Serving 11/3 cups Calories 383kcal (19%) Carbohydrates 51g (17%) Protein 33g (66%) Fat 6g (9%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Cholesterol 10mg (3%) Sodium 729.5mg (30%) Fiber 20g (80%) Sugar 4g (8%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 383

% Daily Value*

Serving 11/3 cups
Calories 383kcal 19%
Carbohydrates 51g 17%
Protein 33g 66%
Fat 6g 9%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Cholesterol 10mg 3%
Sodium 729.5mg 30%
Fiber 20g 80%
Sugar 4g 8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.