Pin it A hearty, comforting soup packed with smoky flavor from bacon and canned ham, perfect for chilly days.
Split pea soup was one of my first chilly-weather favorites to make at home. Using canned ham and crispy bacon makes it extra simple while adding loads of delicious flavor.
Ingredients
- Bacon: 4 oz (115 g), chopped
- Canned Ham: 1 (12 oz/340 g) can, diced (reserve juices if possible)
- Onion: 1 medium, finely chopped
- Carrots: 2 medium, diced
- Celery: 2 stalks, diced
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
- Dried Split Peas: 1 lb (450 g), rinsed and sorted
- Low-Sodium Chicken Broth: 6 cups (1.4 L)
- Water: 2 cups (480 ml)
- Bay Leaf: 1
- Dried Thyme: 1 tsp
- Black Pepper: 1/2 tsp
- Salt: to taste
Instructions
- Cook Bacon:
- In a large pot, cook chopped bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove with slotted spoon and set aside, leaving fat in the pot.
- Sauté Vegetables:
- Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring, until softened.
- Add Garlic:
- Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Combine Ingredients:
- Add split peas, diced ham (plus juices if possible), chicken broth, water, bay leaf, thyme, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
- Simmer:
- Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until peas are tender.
- Blend (Optional):
- Remove bay leaf. Use immersion blender to partially purée soup for creaminess, or leave chunky.
- Season:
- Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve:
- Serve hot, garnished with reserved bacon.
Pin it 
Pin it This split pea soup always brings back memories of cozy lunches with my family when the weather turned cool. Everyone requested extra bacon for topping!
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy with crusty bread, gluten-free crackers, or a green salad for a complete meal.
Make It Vegetarian
Simply omit ham and bacon and use vegetable broth, adding smoked paprika for extra depth and flavor.
Allergy Information
This soup contains pork and celery, and may contain gluten if additives are present, so be sure to check ingredient labels carefully.
Pin it 
Pin it This hearty soup warms you up and is even better the next day. Perfect for easy lunches or dinner on cold nights!
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → How long should the split peas simmer?
Simmer the split peas for about 1 hour until they are very tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- → Can I use fresh ham instead of canned ham?
Fresh ham can be used if diced finely, but canned ham adds a unique flavor and convenience to the dish.
- → Is it necessary to reserve the bacon fat?
Yes, leaving the bacon fat in the pot adds depth to the vegetable sauté and overall flavor of the soup.
- → How can I achieve a creamier texture?
Use an immersion blender to partially purée the soup before serving, while leaving some chunks for texture.
- → What are good serving suggestions?
Serve the soup hot, garnished with crispy bacon, alongside crusty bread or crackers for a complete meal.