Split Pea Soup with Barley and Ham {Slow Cooker}
User Reviews
4.6
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
4 hrs
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Total Time
4 hrs 15 mins
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Servings
6 Servings
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Calories
234 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Split Pea Soup with Barley and Ham {Slow Cooker}
Description
This Split Pea Soup with Barley and Ham {Slow Cooker} uses dried split green peas and pearl barley layered with chopped ham, carrots, onion, and celery in a slow cooker. The cooking liquid includes water seasoned with chicken bouillon, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and a bay leaf, without stirring during cooking to let the ingredients soften evenly over hours. The result is a creamy, soft-textured soup where the peas break down and the barley adds chewiness with chunks of ham throughout.
The flavors meld during long, slow cooking, producing a rich, savory, and mildly spiced broth enhanced by the meaty ham and aromatic vegetables. The thickened soup can be rehydrated with water or broth to reach preferred consistency, making it flexible for reheating or storage.
This soup is ideal as a warming meal during colder days, serving well with crusty bread. The recipe advises immediate serving for best texture, but leftovers can be stored chilled and adjusted before reheating.
Ingredients
- 1 cup split green peas dry
- ½ cup pearl barley not quick-cooking barley, medium
- 2 cups ham chopped
- ¾ cup carrot chopped
- ¾ cup chopped yellow onion
- ¾ cup celery chopped
- 5 cups water
- 2 chicken bouillon cubes or 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- In a medium bowl or liquid measure, combine the water, bouillon cubes and spices and whisk to combine (it’s ok if the bouillon cubes don’t completely dissolve).
- In a medium round slow cooker (about 4-quart), layer peas, barley, ham, carrots, onion and celery. Do not mix. Pour in the water/spices mixture and add the bay leaf to the slow cooker. Don’t stir! Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for four hours or on low eight hours, until the peas reach the desired creamy, soft texture. Remove the bay leaf, stir well, and add salt and pepper to taste, if needed.
- Serve immediately. Upon sitting and/or refrigerating, this soup thickens considerably. Simply add water or chicken broth to thin the soup to the desired consistency before reserving.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6Servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 234 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 Serving | |
| Calories | 234kcal | 12% |
| Carbohydrates | 38g | 13% |
| Protein | 17g | 34% |
| Fat | 2g | 3% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 21mg | 7% |
| Sodium | 1046mg | 44% |
| Fiber | 12g | 48% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.6
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