Easy Split Pea Soup {Ham-Free, Gluten-Free, Vegan Option}

This easy split pea soup recipe is ham-free and packed with flavor as a naturally creamy and delicious soup. Great as a main or side dish, it’s a simple and affordable comfort soup that’s perfect in any season – from cool wintry nights to sunny spring days. And just as delicious for leftovers. 

What are split peas? 

There are many varieties of split pea soup around the world, all using the same nutritious legume – the split pea. It’s said that the Greeks and Romans harvested these legumes all the way back in 400 or 500 BC. 

Split peas are in fact the same legume as green peas. Spilt peas are simply green peas which have been peeled and dried. When the skin of a pea is removed, a split naturally happens in the seed, hence the name “split pea”. 

What’s in split pea soup? 

We make an easy split pea soup by omitting any need for ham or bones, and stewing the split peas with carrots, celery, onions, chicken broth and fresh herbs: 

• Split peas
• Onions and garlic
• Carrots
• Celery
• Olive oil
• Chicken broth or vegetable broth (for vegan or vegetarian)
• Spices: thyme, bay leaves, oregano
• Optional: parsley

What to eat with split pea soup

Split pea soup is an easy and filling main dish as a side and served with: 

• Chinese meatballs
• Gluten-free bread or pita
• Roasted chicken

Easy Split Pea Soup {No Ham, Gluten-free, Vegan Option}

This easy split pea soup recipe is ham-free and packed with flavor as a naturally creamy and delicious soup. Great as a main or side dish, it’s a simple and affordable comfort soup that’s perfect in any season!

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Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 4 hrs

Course Main Course, Side Dish, Soup

Cuisine American

Servings 7 1 cup servings

Calories 161 kcal

Ingredients

  

Base

• 1 lb split peas
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 medium carrots, diced (about 1 cup)
• 4 ribs celery, diced (about 1 cup)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 6-8 cups liquid (water, chicken broth, or vegetable broth for vegan)

Spices

• 2 sprigs fresh thyme (tied together)
• 2-3 bay leaves
• 2 tsp oregano to taste
• 1/4 cup parsley, chopped optional
• 1 tsp salt
• Salt/Pepper to taste

Instructions

 

• Wash your split peas: Rinse and soak your split peas in a big bowl of water thoroughly to get rid of dirt and foam. Soak and dispense water until it’s clear.
• Saute the diced onions and garlic in olive oil for 2-3 minutes in a large pot.
• Add diced carrots and celery to the onion/garlic mix, and saute for another 7-8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Tie up thyme (otherwise you’ll need to fish many stems out of the soup when it’s ready!).
• Then, add rinsed peas, thyme, bay leaves, oregano, salt and pepper, and 5 cups of liquid. Use any combination of water and broth (chicken or vegetable). We love to use about 2 cups of chicken broth and 3 cups of water.
• Bring to a boil. Then add 1 cup of water and simmer for about 4 hours.
• Note: Add more liquid, depending on the consistency you enjoy your split pea soup. For a thick and creamy soup, use only 6 cups of water. For a thinner soup, use about 8 cups of liquid. You can add more water as it simmers to your liking.
• Optional: Add chopped parsley in the last 10 minutes of cooking.
• Enjoy with your favorite gluten-free or paleo bread! Optional: Garnish with more parsley when serving.

Notes

• The longer you simmer your split pea soup, the thicker and creamier it becomes. 
• You can leave your soup unattended while it simmers, though we like to check on it every 30-45 mins or so to give a stir and add more liquid, salt, and pepper to taste. 
• For vegan and vegetarian: Use vegetable broth or water only. We opt for broth when we can as it gives it a more aromatic flavor. 
• If you don’t have parsley, you can leave it out. Parsley makes it more aromatic, but your split peas soup will be just as delicious without it.

Keyword easy split pea soup, split pea soup, vegan split pea soup

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