Step 1: Chop the onion and peel and chop the carrots. Add them to an 8-quart soup pot and sauté in the olive oil for about 10 minutes until they start to soften.
Step 2: Add the chopped potatoes and one and a half bags of dried peas. Sauté for a few additional minutes to blend the flavors.
Step 3: Pour in enough water to cover the vegetables and peas. Add the seasonings and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 45 minutes.
Step 4: During cooking, skim off any foam that forms on the surface.
Step 5: Add the remaining half bag of dried peas and continue to simmer for another 40 minutes. This will give you a mix of well-formed peas and some that have softened, creating a creamy texture with a bit of crunch.
Step 6: Stir the soup often to prevent the peas from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed.
Step 7: Serve the soup warm and enjoy!
Making split-pea soup is incredibly simple, with only about 10 minutes of prep time. This recipe relies on onions, garlic, carrots, and seasonings to provide rich flavor, as it does not include ham or chicken broth. If you enjoy carrots, feel free to add extra—they’ll enhance the soup’s sweetness and depth. The potatoes will thicken the soup and add hearty chunks that complement the creamy split peas.
If you’d like to enrich the flavor further, adding smoked ham hocks is a great option. Simply add them at the beginning, and once the soup is done, you can easily remove the ham hocks, set them aside, and discard any bones or skin before serving.
After prepping the ingredients, stay close to the stove to skim off any foam that forms as the soup begins to boil. Once it reaches a steady boil, reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer, stirring occasionally. After about 40 minutes, when the peas are tender and have broken down, add the remaining half-bag of peas. Continue simmering for another 40 minutes. This method requires minimal attention and results in a nutritious, protein-rich soup that’s both cost-effective and satisfying. Enjoy the ease and heartiness of this home-cooked meal with very little effort!
