Craving a hearty, and delicious meal? Look no further than our Instant Pot Split Pea Soup. Perfect for fall and winter, this comforting recipe features wholesome ingredients like split peas, onions, carrots, and ham.
Split pea soup is a filling soup that will warm you from the inside out. Let your Instant Pot do the work, making this a quick and satisfying option for cozy evenings. Embrace the goodness with every spoonful!
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💖 Why This Recipe Works
- Easy To Make: This one-pot meal is quick and simple with step-by-step instructions.
- Freezer-Friendly: This soup freezes well, so you can make a big batch and have ready-to-heat meals for later.
- Hearty and delicious. Not only is this Split Pea Soup good for you, but it’s hearty and delicious.
⭐ Star Ingredients
- Onion: Adds a rich, sweet flavor that forms the base of the soup.
- Vegetable Oil: Used for sautéing, it helps bring out the flavors of the other ingredients.
- Carrots: Add color, texture, and natural sweetness to the soup.
- Dried Split Peas: The star ingredient, they provide a hearty, earthy flavor and a creamy texture when cooked.
- Chicken Broth: Provides a savory richness and forms the liquid base of the soup.
- Diced Ham: Adds a smoky, savory flavor and protein to the soup.
- Bay Leaf: Contributes a subtle, herbal depth of flavor.
- Water: Dilutes the broth to the desired consistency without adding extra sodium.
- Low Sodium Chicken Broth: A healthier option that still provides a savory richness to the soup.
- Kosher Salt and Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall flavor of the soup.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- Vegetarian Instant Pot Split Pea Soup: Swap out the ham for extra veggies and vegetable broth to make it vegetarian-friendly.
- Spicy Instant Pot Split Pea Soup: Add jalapenos or hot sauce for a spicy kick.
- Add Sausage: Use sausage for a hearty, meaty twist on the classic recipe.
Optional Toppings For Split Pea Soup
- Fresh Herbs
- Crispy Bacon Bits
- Sour Cream
- Chopped Green Onions
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- Croutons
- Drizzle of Olive Oil
🔪 How To Make Instant Pot Split Pea Soup With Ham
- Step 1: Turn your Instant Pot onto sauté mode. Once it is hot, add your vegetable oil and onion. Sauté your onions, stirring occasionally, for 3 to 5 minutes. Turn the saute function off. Next, add your carrots, ham, broth, water, yellow split peas, and bay leaf to the inner pot with your onion.
- Step 2: Close your Instant Pot lid and set the on high pressure for 20 minutes. Then naturally release and serve.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Don't Overfill Pot: Fill the Instant Pot only two-thirds full.
- Use Quality Stock: Opt for homemade or low-sodium store-bought stock.
- Natural Pressure Release: Allow pressure to release naturally for at least 15 minutes.
💭 FAQs
Split Pea Soup is a hearty and nourishing soup made with yellow split peas or green split peas, onions, carrots, and ham. This popular comfort food dish is much loved for its rich flavors and warming properties.
After pressure cooking your pea and ham soup, thicken it by adding cornstarch or flour to the Instant Pot and stirring until fully dissolved. Let the soup saute for 2-3 minutes until it reaches the desired consistency.
The foam is just starch from the peas. It's normal and harmless. You can skim it off if you prefer.
It's not recommended as whole peas take longer to cook and will not become as creamy as split peas.
No, soaking is not necessary when pressure cooking split peas in the Instant Pot.
Yes, but ensure that you do not exceed the maximum fill line of your Instant Pot.
Yes, leftover ham is a perfect addition to the split pea soup. It adds depth of flavor and makes good use of your leftovers.
Olive oil is often used to sauté the onion, carrots, and celery at the beginning of the cooking process. This enhances their flavors and forms the base for a delicious soup.
Adding a ham bone to your split pea soup can significantly enhance its flavor. The bone slowly releases its flavor during cooking, providing a richness that complements the peas and vegetables well.
Absolutely. Split pea soup freezes well. Just be sure to leave some space in the container as the soup will expand when frozen.
Let the split pea soup cool to room temperature, but don't leave it out for more than two hours. Divide the soup into airtight containers, glass is preferred. If eating within 3-4 days, store the containers in the refrigerator. For longer storage, freeze split pea soup leaving an inch of space at the top for expansion.
💖 Serving Suggestions
Here are some of the best sides to serve with Instant Pot Split Pea Soup:
- Pizza Monkey Bread: This flavorful bread pull-apart bread is a fun and tasty side to pair with this hearty soup.
- Grilled Cheese: The ultimate comfort food, a grilled cheese sandwich makes a perfect companion to any soup, including the hearty split pea variety.
- Crusty French Baguette: A simple yet delicious pairing, the crusty baguette is great for dipping into the creamy soup.
- Fresh Garden Salad: A light and refreshing salad balances out the richness of the split pea soup.
- Roasted Vegetables: For a heartier side, roasted root vegetables complement the earthy flavors in the soup.
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Instant Pot Split Pea Soup
Ingredients
- ½ Medium Onion Diced
- 2 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
- 1 LB Dried Yellow Split Peas
- 1, ½ Cups Dried Ham
- 1 Bay Leaf
- 2 Cups Water
- 4 Cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth
Instructions
- Turn your Instant Pot onto sauté mode. Once it is hot, add your vegetable oil and onion. Sauté your onions stirring occasionally until they are translucent and softened. This should take about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Turn the saute function off. Then, add your carrots, ham, broth, water, yellow split peas, and bay leaf to the inner pot with your onion.
- Close your Instant Pot lid and lock the vent into the sealing position. Set the pressure cooker to cook on high pressure for 20 minutes.
- Once the 20 minutes is complete allow the Instant Pot soup to natural release for at least 10 minutes. Once the 10 minutes are complete, do a manual release by moving the pressure valve toward you. This will release the remaining pressure.
- Add salt and pepper to your liking and transfer to your soup bowl and enjoy!
This soup is the culinary equivalent of a cozy blanket—rich, hearty, and surprisingly effortless thanks to the Instant Pot. A true comfort classic!