This is a fabulous “throw it all in the slow cooker” Pea and Ham soup. There’s no need to cook the onion separately – it “sautés” itself in the fat from the ham hock that rises to the surface. Thick, hearty soup broth infused with incredible flavour from the ham bone!
A worthy ending for your leftover Christmas ham bone, or use store bought. Make this in your slow cooker or on the stove!
Pea and Ham Soup
I’ve always said that Lentil Soup is the least sexy looking soup in the world.
But in hindsight, I think Pea and Ham Soup should take that title.
I mean, think about it. A sparkling white Corn Chowder is pretty. A Thai Tom Yum Soup is colourful and vibrant. Creamy Carrot Soup is a cheerful bright orange colour. And a fiery red Laksa looks as bold as it tastes.
But Pea Soup? It’s brown more than green. Kahki at best.
So no, it’s not glamorous.
But this ugly duckling is seriously delicious. One bite, and you won’t be able to stop!!
What goes in Pea and Ham Soup
Here’s what you need for pea and ham soup. I’ve used a store bought ham hock here because I used up all the ham bones I managed to score from friends and even mere acquaintances. Yep, when it comes to rounding up ham bones, I’m shameless!!
Make sure you use a ham bone with plenty of meat because more meat means more flavour imparted into the soup – and more shredded ham!
Green split peas – these are just dried peas that are halved (split!) which means they cook faster and there’s no need to soak overnight (such as with most types of beans for things like Southern Baked Beans). They taste quite neutral, slightly earthy, and it absorbs the flavour of whatever they’re cooked in – in this case, ham! When cooked for a long time like we do here (in order for the ham meat to be ultra tender), they become creamy and thicken the soup;
WATER, no broth – the ham bone releases so much flavour that all we need is water for the soup broth. How good is that??!!
I love how economical pea soup is when made using leftover ham bone because the broth just needs water – no stock!
The Ham Hock – ham bone
If you’re wondering what a ham hock is, it’s a ham bone. And it is literally the bone inside a leg of ham, left after carving off all the ham (ie the cold cuts sold at delis). So it is already cooked – well, smoked.
If you buy one, you’ll find it looks a lot neater than a scrappy leftover leftover ham bone from a homemade Glazed Ham. The store bought ones are cut neatly then from the looks of it, they are re-smoked to seal the surface of the pink meat part.
Where to buy ham hocks
Store bought ham hock is sometimes sold over the counter and delis, otherwise it’s vac packed and sold with ham and similar items in the refrigerator section.
Make sure it’s meaty!
While store bought are intentionally nice and meaty (to flavour the soup and for plenty of shredded ham), leftover ham bones have been known to be picked clean by Ham Monsters. So if your ham bone isn’t meaty enough, just add a hunk of ham into the soup as well – just to ensure you get enough flavour into the broth.
Do the same if your store bought ham hock weighs less than 1 kg / 2lb. 🙂
Alternative: give the broth a flavour boost with a dash of stock/bouillon powder.
Just place everything into the slow cooker then turn it on
No need to sauté onion separately beforehand. In this recipe, the onion will rise to the surface and “sauté” in the ham fat. I’ve tried it sautéing onion first, then using my method and there is no difference in flavour.
The peas will be so soft they become creamy. So blitzing is optional. What I like to do is partially puree the soup using a handheld blender stick. This way you get the best of both worlds – a smooth, creamy soup broth with soft bits of pea and veg bits!
How long to cook Pea and Ham Soup
Make sure you slow cook Pea and Ham Soup in the slow cooker for at least 8 hours, but 10 hours is even better (on low). The ham meat should literally fall off the bone and be shredded with a touch.
Easily shreddable ham is an indicator that it’s been cooked long enough to release a ton of flavour into the broth!
Are split peas good for you?
They are! They’re high in fibre and protein, can help reduce cholesterol and are low in fat. But split peas are a higher carbohydrate vegetable so watch your intake if you’re on a low carb diet.
What to serve with Pea and Ham Soup
A hunk of warm crusty bread (preferably slathered in butter) is literally made for dunking into this thick soup.
In fact, forget spoons. Imagine eating the whole thing using bread as your feeding tool of choice?? 🙌🏻 For homemade, try this quick no yeast Irish Soda Bread or yeast free Sandwich bread. If you’ve got the time, make this crusty Artisan Bread – pretty sure it’s now officially the world’s easiest yeast bread! (It’s no knead, very foolproof).
OR – if you want to go all out, upgrade to Garlic Bread or CHEESY Garlic Bread!
Things to dunk into soup
If you’d like to add a side salad, try it with a Cucumber Salad for lovely contrasting crisp freshness, or for something different (and totally fabulous), a French Carrot Salad with Honey Dijon Dressing! – Nagi x
PS Some recipes dress up Pea and Ham soup by adding spinach or frozen peas at the end to make the soup colour greener. I choose to celebrate the unattractiveness and focus on flavour, flavour, flavour!
Watch how to make it
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Pea and Ham Soup (slow cooker or stove)
Ingredients
- 500g / 1lb dried split peas (Note 1)
- 1.2-1.5kg / 2.4-3lb ham hock (aka ham bone), bacon hock or MEATY leftover ham bone (Note 2)
- 1/4 tsp salt (start with less, adjust later)
- 3/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 garlic cloves , minced
- 2 bay leaves , dried or fresh
- 1 onion , finely chopped
- 1 carrot , peeled and finely chopped
- 2 celery sticks , finely chopped
- 8 cups (2 litres/qts) water
Garnishes / serving:
- Parsley , finely chopped
- Crusty bread for dunking!
Instructions
- Place peas in slow cooker, push ham in. Scatter all ingredients around the ham bone, then pour over water.
- Slow cook 8 to 10 hours on LOW or 6 hours on HIGH. (Or 2.5 hours on low on stove, 1 h – 1 hr 20 min pressure cooker/Instant Pot on HIGH)
- Remove ham bone, shred ham meat. Discard bone and fatty skin.
- Remove bay leaves. Use a stick blender to blitz 2 or 3 times – thickens soup but doesn’t make it completely smooth (my preference, you can blend completely if you want).
- Return ham into slow cooker, stir. Taste and add more salt if needed (soup gets lots of salt from ham).
- Serve garnished with parsley. Serve with crusty bread for dunking – make a quick Irish Soda Bread, Garlic Bread or upgrade to Cheesy Garlic Bread!
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
More ways with leftover Ham Bone!
Here are other recipes I’ve shared made using ham hocks. They make an amazing way to flavour broth!
And more chunky, hearty soups
Life of Dozer
This is what he does on cleaning days – he gets sick of trailing me up and down the stairs as I whizz back and forth between floors with brooms and mops and vacuum cleaners so he eventually just plonks himself down halfway on the landing.
Don’t you love how relaxed he looks while I’m hot, sweaty and exhausted from manic cleaning??🙄
Bec says
So yummy!! First time making pea and ham soup and it was so easy in the slow cooker. I didn’t add any salt and it was salty enough from the ham.
Every recipe I make from your website is delicious!!
Conrad says
Another spot-on recipe, Nagi. My lad was off school today and craving pea and ham soup, so I used your recipe and it worked beautifully. My ham hock was bigger than what you’d suggested, so I didn’t add any salt at all and I found it was seasoned perfectly.
Sarah Beynon says
Not cooked as yet but wondering whether I could use yellow split peas rather than green as I already have these.
Nagi says
Yes that’s fine Sarah – the soup will just be a different colour 🙂 N x
Sondra says
I have never had split peas but I have high hope, as your recipes always turn out great. If I have boneless ham, can I just use better than bouillon that is ham flavored?
Renita House says
I don’t eat ham, can I use smoked turkey legs instead?
Nagi says
Yes 100% Renita! N x
Kim Focas says
Hi Nagi, Thanks for another great recipe idea, its turned very cold this weekend in melbourne. I dont have a slow cooker or a crock pot or insta pot (no room in my small kitchen). If i wanted to cook this on the stove how long do you suggest? would I use a cast iron pot or just a normal one that can withstand a long cook time??
Nagi says
Hi Kim – all the stove directions are noted there in the recipe instructions, step 2. I would use a cast iron pot 🙂 N x
Mark says
Hi Nagi, can I make this with frozen peas? Just realised I bought split lentils rather than split peas 🙁
Becky says
I am planning on making this today with the left over gammon that I cooked yesterday. These are the pea’s that i have picked up. Do I need to soak these seperately or is everything ok to go in the slow cooker together?
Becky says
It isn’t letting me add a picture. It is the batchelors quick soak dried peas that I have
Jess says
I made this with dried lentils instead of split peas, using the pressure cooker, and it was awesome. The cooking annihilated the lentils so I didn’t even need the blender to make it creamy. Love how easy it was! And the whole family finished their bowls 🙌 definitely sticking this on the rotation – thanks Nagi!
Amy says
How long did you cook it in the IP?
Jess says
About an hour, and then leave it to pressure release by itself.
Amy says
Thank you!! I can’t wait to make this!!
Leisa Brady says
Every Saturday my nana would make pea and ham soup for all the family. We would take it home in a billy can and have before going to football. Made your recipe and Thankyou so yummy exactly like nans and it brought back all the memories. I miss her and my mum and I had a cry when eating it and remembering all the good times. That’s what foods all about. Again thanks have tried so many of your recipes and all have been incredible.
Nagi says
Oh Leisa! This brought tears to my eyes reading this. It warms my heart to hear that it brought back such great memories but was so sad to hear she is no longer with us. Sending you big hugs – N xx
Ali Nugent says
Ohh lordy this is so good. And so easy.
Thank you for another amazing recipe!
Kylie says
This is lovely thank you Nagi
Keeps away those nasty sodium rich soup satchets I use to buy!
My shopping list for this week has five of your meals on it for this week haha
You are my go to 🤜🏻🤛🏻
Thank you so much for making the cooking side of things easier In my home xx hugs to Dozer xx
Marlene says
I have made different versions of this over the years but this one is the best! And everyone else agrees, it is the only way I will make now, Thankyou
Michele says
I’ve made this 3 times now. SO easy, everything in the slow cooker & presto!! Beautiful pea & ham soup xx
Mel says
Threw everything in the slow cooker to do its thing overnight. Woke up this morning to wonderful smells of Smokey, hammy goodness. Shredded the ham and added it back in to the soup. It really is as good as described, possibly better even!
Nagi says
Yum!!! Sounds like the perfect thing to wake up to Mel! N x
Laceher says
Made this tonight in the pressure and it was a crowd pleaser, it yielded a great amount. So easy to chop up, throw in and leave to pressure cook. Only thing was my base burnt, maybe next time I’ll stop mine in the middle and stir. I got my immersion blender ready but as you said it was so well done that everyone was a great soft fall apart texture. Thank you for sharing and inspiring Nagi! Xx
Roy Armstrong says
This is a great recipe, easy, steps, clear instructions and the quantities are standard sizes. End result yummy.
Elli says
Gosh we love this recipe including our 1 & 5-year-old boys. Made it over and over. But maybe I didn’t read correct as have always made it with yellow split peas. Whoops!
Carol says
Wow wow wow great soup loved it. Thankyou Nagi ❤
Trish says
Made the soup today in our slow cooker, so easy and absolutely delicious. Will definitely make again.
Wendy says
If you soak the peas overnight you need less liquid in the slow cooker, i use 750 grams of peas in my recipe, two thirds green, one third yellow, and only need 500ml of liquid to make a wonderful pea and ham soup.
Nagi says
Sounds great Wendy!! N x