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Cozy up with a bowl of homemade split pea soup, rich with smoky bacon and ham—a hearty meal unto itself!
Split pea soup is a classic American soup made from split peas and a pork-rich broth. While traditional recipes call for a smoked ham bone, locating one in modern-day supermarkets can be quite the treasure hunt. This recipe, modestly adapted from America’s Test Kitchen, has a genius workaround: simmering a few slices of thick-cut bacon and a ham steak in the broth to make the soup smoky and extra meaty. This split pea soup is a simple recipe that delivers big flavor, and it’s hearty enough to serve as a meal. I love garnishing it with crunchy croutons from a fresh baguette (serving the remainder on the side), but it’s equally delicious with crusty artisan bread or cornbread.
“I made it exactly as written and it is the best split pea and ham soup that I have ever made in my life.”
Split peas are peas that have been hulled, dried, and split. They’re available in both green and yellow varieties. Green split peas are a bit sweeter and most commonly used in split pea soup recipes. The yellow variety are are milder in flavor and often used to make Indian dal recipes. Split peas are similar to lentils in that they are both part of the legume family and they don’t need to be soaked prior to cooking.
Begin by sorting through the split peas to remove any rocks or debris.
Rinse the split peas and let drain.
Meanwhile, heat the butter in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat.
Add the onion and salt and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, 4 to 5 minutes.
Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Do not brown.
Add the broth, water, ham steak, bacon, peas, thyme sprigs, and bay leaves.
Increase the heat to high and bring to a boil, stirring frequently to keep the peas from sticking to the bottom of the pot. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer until the peas are tender but not falling apart, about 45 minutes.
Remove the ham steak and place it on a plate; cover with foil and set aside.
Stir in the carrots and celery and continue to simmer, covered, until the vegetables are tender and the peas have almost completely broken down, about 30 minutes longer.
Meanwhile, shred the ham steak into small bite-size pieces with two forks. Cover with foil again.
Remove and discard the thyme sprigs, bay leaves, and bacon slices. Add the shredded ham to the soup.
Return to a simmer. Add a few grinds of pepper, then taste and adjust seasoning if necessary (depending on the saltiness of the ham and bacon you used, you may need an additional 1/4-1/2 teaspoon salt).
Melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add 2 cups of cubed good-quality French or Italian bread.
Cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown and toasted, 3 to 5 minutes, then let cool.
To serve, ladle the soup into bowls and top with the fresh croutons. The soup will thicken as it sits on the stove; thin it with water and adjust seasoning as necessary.
A: Absolutely! Split pea soup freezes beautifully. Once cooled, transfer the soup to airtight containers, leaving about an inch of space at the top to allow for expansion. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, defrost in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stove, stirring occasionally.
A: Split pea soup naturally thickens as the peas break down during cooking and also as it sits, especially if refrigerated. If it’s too thick for your liking, you can easily thin it by adding a bit of chicken or vegetable broth, or even water, until you reach your desired consistency. Remember to adjust the seasonings if needed after adding more liquid.
I'd love to know how it turned out! Please let me know by leaving a review below. Or snap a photo and share it on Instagram; be sure to tag me @onceuponachef.
Cozy up with a bowl of homemade split pea soup, rich with smoky bacon and ham—a hearty meal unto itself!
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
To the best of my knowledge, all of the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free or widely available in gluten-free versions. There is hidden gluten in many foods; if you're following a gluten-free diet or cooking for someone with gluten allergies, always read the labels of your ingredients to verify that they are gluten-free.
Fabulous! I had a prior split pea recipe I always made then came across this one. So glad I did! The ham, thyme, and vegetables melded into such wonderful flavor. This is now my go to split pea recipe. Thanks again for another amazing recipe!
I couldn’t find ham steak in my local stores so I had the deli give me a cut of their ham off the bone. It worked out perfectly.
I will definitely makes this again. Thank you!
Outstanding! We were licking our bowls!!
I really enjoy your website and have made so many of your wonderful recipes.
I count calories, and I’m wondering if the nutritional information provided for the split pea soup includes addition of the croutons? I would just like to know if I should plan to save some extra calories for them and/or omit them.
Thanks again! I really appreciate that you include nutritional information with your recipes. 🙂
Hi Jennifer, So happy you like the recipes! The nutritional info does not include the optional croutons – hope that clarifies!
instead of ham and bacon, smoked paprika will give you smoky flavor
I am about to start this recipe and I was wondering if boiling the ham steak decreases its tenderness ?
Hi Donna, It really doesn’t. Hope you enjoy!
Hi Jenn, This soup has become our Halloween tradition (we call it Wicked Soup because of its color and smokiness), so kids can have a quick dinner and enjoy their trick or treating 🎃. I’d like to use the meat from smoked turkey drumsticks to change it up a little and omit bacon. How should I incorporate the turkey meat? Cooking instructions would be very helpful as I don’t want to mess up a delicious soup 💚Thanks so much!
Glad it’s become a tradition and I hope I’m not weighing in too late! The smoked turkey drumsticks are already cooked; I’d follow the guidance for the ham hocks in this recipe (I’ve suggested smoked turkey drumsticks to many readers who didn’t want to use ham hocks in that soup.) Hope that helps and that your kids hack a great Halloween!
Hi Jenn, This is super helpful and perfect timing as I’m about the start the soup. The kids are going to love it! Thanks a million and Happy Halloween! 🧡
Made this recipe and love it! The bacon was the kicker for extra smokey flavor. Excellent the way it is…that don’t happen often because of different taste of different people. Going in my recipe book! Thanks so much 💓 ☺️
The soup was divine. I added a smoked ham hock with the bacon and the ham steaks that I had in the fridge followed the directions to a T just perfect. I love all your recipes, I of course have your book. I bought it after I made your beef Bolognese. The soup is the best I’ve ever had. very comforting… in love with the soup!
Excellent. The carrots are a great addition, adds some sweetness and nutritional value. The thyme and bay leaf complement the ham very well. Of course garlic and onion are good. I used leftovers from a spiral sliced ham from Easter; put the bone in and large chunks for the first 30 minutes, took out chunks of ham left bone in then took out at end of all cooking time.
I cubed the ham with a knife as it was easier than shredding (I’ll try that next time). I fried up the bacon strips next morning for breakfast (don’t waste them!). They lacked the saltiness of regular bacon (salt stayed in the soup) but was still good. I also used no sodium chicken broth and didn’t need to add any salt to the soup.
Split peas are very high in fiber and: folate, thiamin, iron and potassium. This makes for a very nutritious soup, besides being delicious and satisfying. Thank you!
I love this recipe! I’ve made it about 5 times now. I exclude the bacon because I don’t want more fat in my soup and today I’m using vegetable stock because I ran out of chicken. I’m sure it will taste fabulous! Thank you for this recipe.
This recipe is delicious! A definite keeper and goes together very simply. Thank you for this awesome soup recipe.
Jenn, I absolutely love this recipe, thank you so much for sharing! Because I am a bacon lover, I’ve made a couple of adjustments that some may want to consider. I like to cook the bacon in the butter, remove it after it’s somewhat crispy, pour off all but 2 Tbsp of the fat and then add the onions and follow your recipe as directed. After removing the ham and shredding it, use an immersion blender to thicken the soup about 3/4 of the way including the bacon, then add back in the ham. (Note: make sure to remove the bay leaves and thyme stems prior). If you like a creamier texture, this might help enhance the flavor. Cheers!
I used to think the only way to make pea soup was using the ham bone from a spiral ham. This recipe changed my thinking. It was delicious, and just as good, if not better than using the ham bone.
I use a ham hock! Easy to find – fairly meaty! Add ham steak if needed. Great recipe!!
I loved the recipe, but I wish I knew how big a serving is. I am logging calories and don’t really know the measurement of a serving!!
Hi Andrea, It’s been a long time since I’ve made this and unfortunately, I don’t recall exactly how large a serving is but I’d guesstimate it’s about 1.5 cups.
Just discovered Jenn’s page, made this soup tonight with some ham chunks from off the bone. Unfortunately, my son-in-law got the bone from the ham, but the soup was so delicious it didn’t matter, and so easy! I dipped crusty Italian bread instead of the croutons though.
Will definitely be trying out more recipes from this site
I made this perfect recipe on a cold colorado night and it is a winner! Thank you Jenn!
I would like diced ham in the soup instead of shredded. Therefore can I just dice the already cooked ham before putting it in the soup to save a step?
Traditionally, people did not BUY ham bones to make this soup, they made it with the remains of a ham. Don’t people eat hams anymore? When you’ve eaten most of the ham, you use that bone with the leftover ham to make this soup.
This is so weird, to see someone saying, gee, you can no longer buy a ham bone…. I am going to be 70 years old tomorrow, and I’ve never seen anyone BUY a ham bone to make split pea and ham soup. Never. Not once.
I like lean ham and the bone in spiral hams are only available at Easter time – if then. I can’t eat an entire (ham with bone in) and it tends to be more fatty. This, I looked in my grocery to buy a ham bone!! Nada. Thus the ham hock.
Hi Jenn, I have a ton of leftover Christmas ham. Could I use that in place of the ham steak, or will that result in less flavor…?
Hi Sarah, It will still be delicious with leftover ham. Enjoy!
Thank you, Jenn – it turned out PERFECTLY. And the bacon trick is genius! I so appreciate everything you do to make me a better home chef! ❤
This recipe is nuts. I’m not saying it won’t work, but you don’t need what it calls for. Traditionally, this soup has always been made with leftover ham and leftover ham bones, if you have that. Do not worry that you do not have what this strange recipe calls for. If you go to the supermarket and buy a ham, what do you have when it’s almost all gone? A ham bone, and some ham? That’s what you traditionally use to make this soup. This is crazy, to suggest that people used to BUY ham bones. I will be 70 years old tomorrow, and I’ve never seen or known anyone, anywhere, at all, to buy a ham bone. They use what is leftover from a HAM!
I have made pea soup 4-5x over the years. Each and EVERY time my peas would not get completely soft . . no matter how long I cooked it. So I’m leery to try again, even though your recipe looks delish’ and everyone else seems to have good luck with it. Dare I try it? Will my peas finally come out soft?
Hi Dee, I have no reason to believe they won’t get soft enough. For the best results, use really fresh split peas (I usually reach to the back of the shelf in the grocery store as that’s where the newest stock is). Hope you have good luck with it!
This comment is really unnecessary and does not understand all circumstances nor all cuts of meat. I buy a half pig from a local farmer every year. I cooked a ham last week to make soup, and was disappointed to see the cut I grabbed from the freezer has no bone. There are three hams butchered to size for me – someone single. I can not eat all the ham in time, even WITH giving generous portions to two friends. This recipe is exactly what I need. If you have your own way of doing things – which is in fact usually much like mine – go for it. But don’t use the internet to pick on people who do things differently. It’s just so unnecessary in a world full of real problems that need to be addressed, and says more about you then it does the recipe and its author.
Ellen, your insistence that people should only be using a leftover ham bone rather than buying one is bizarre. Most people only make a ham for the holidays, but may still like to make this soup other times of the year. It is not weird to buy a ham bone or ham hock, so are the one who is off base. How very uptight to leave comments like this.
This was a great recipe! I’ve never been a fan of slit pea soup, but I’m a convert. Simple but hearty!
I’ve made it before and it’s delicious, but can I adjust the time to cook in a slow cooker?
Hi Becky, I think this is a recipe that could lend itself nicely to a slow cooker, but because I don’t own one, I can’t give you guidance on how to adapt it for one. Here are some tips on converting recipes to a slow cooker that you may find helpful.
Hello Jenn, I have made your lovely soup in my 6 quart slow cooker on the low setting for 8 hours. I did not add the bacon as I felt the temperature would not reach the desired heat to cook the rashers properly. Oh, and there is no need to saute the onions when using a slow cooker. Thank you for you wonderful recipes!
My husband has gout so can’t use bacon or ham but loves split pea soup. Will it be ok without these? Is there anything I should add to boost the flavor? He loves every recipe I’ve tried from your site and books. Thank you.
Hi Myra, You can make this without the pork, although it won’t have nearly as much flavor (and you’ll definitely need more salt). Another option would be to add smoked turkey drumsticks. I’d love to hear how it turns out if you try it!
I’ve made split pea ham soup with Italian chicken sausage. Much healthier and lots of flavor. I made that substitution because it’s all I had on hand.
This soup is so delicious! My 5 year old even asked for a second helping, something he only does with pizza or fajitas! And it was super easy to make. I made a couple of small tweaks – I added cumin and turmeric and chopped the bacon to add it in. This will definitely be a regular for our family this winter.
I made this split pea soup a few days ago and I love it. I did have to add more stock to it as it thickened a lot after I left it on the stove too long. But it turned out great. It tastes even better the second day and I will for sure make it again.
Very good pea soup. I usually make it in the pressure cooker, but with prep and pressure up/down time this was about the same. Maybe a little more time, but better flavor. I had grown tired of the PC version. My husband loves pea soup so this will be my new go-to.
Split Pea with Ham soup is one of my husband’s favorite fall/winter soups. I made this last night for dinner along with the croutons, and he pronounced it as the best split pea soup he’s eaten. I agree. The smoky flavor from the bacon added a wonderful flavor dimension to the finished soup. It was perfectly seasoned with the thyme and bay leaves. We thoroughly enjoyed this soup and will definitely be making it again.
Hi Jenn, Do you think I could use an immersion blender to turn this delicious-looking soup into a potage? I would cut the ham into small cubes and just mix it in once the soup is smooth. Thanks.
Yes, I think that sounds delicious. Please LMK how it turns out. 🙂
This was absolutely amazing, depth of flavor, so tasty! We gave some to a friend and they said the same thing, Best split pea soup ever!
This split pea soup turned out great! I left the bacon out but otherwise, followed it exactly as written. I was looking for a split pea soup recipe without having a ham bone and this fit the bill. Thank you!
Absolutely delicious! I made a couple of adjustments. I couldn’t see wasting that bacon by throwing it out so I cut it into little pieces and sautéed it in the butter until just brown, then I removed it and continued with the rest of the recipe, adding it back in with the ham. Also, since I like a super chunky soup I doubled the carrots and the celery. A perfect soup for a cold night. Two thumbs up from the husband as well. I served it with the buttermilk biscuits which are also a winner.
I did the same with the bacon and extra vegetables, minus the biscuits! It’s very good!
I love all your recipes and my family is so happy I discovered you!! Is there any chance this could be done in an instapot?
So glad you like the recipes, Debbie! I don’t have enough experience with an instant pot to tell you confidently whether or not this would work in one, so you may want to take a peek at these tips. It looks like they could be useful. Sorry I can’t be more helpful!
OMG This is the first soup of any kind I have ever made, and it came out perfectly! I didn’t deviate from the recipe, and I just gobbled down a bowl! It’s delicious, has a wonderful texture and flavor, with a yummy aftertaste that I can’t quite put my finger on (is it the herbs?). The vegetables are perfectly cooked, not mushy, and it gives the creamy pea base a full chunky spoonful. I even topped it off with homemade croutons, for which I used “good French bread”. I never knew croutons could be so easy to make! I admit, a had a few cubes before the soup! I am so grateful for the recipe, and will definitely make it again.
Just realized, the aftertaste may be from the smoked bacon, as it is almost a buttery brown sugary taste… nothing overpowering… just a slight mmmm after the spoonful!
I am in love! Have never made split pea and ham soup before, and so have suffered for years not getting any. Just wow, so good and easy. Made exactly as written, only didn’t use all the ham in soup, half the amount was enough for my taste. Thank you. Going to make another pot on weekend, did double this time, x3 next pot.
This soup was absolutely delicious!! I made the croutons with English muffins. Oh and I baked the croutons. It was my best split pea soup ever!!
I’m going to try using a smoked Turkey leg instead of the ham. Do you have any suggestion as to the spices? Thyme out, paprika in? Or just leave it alone?? Jack
PS: I love this soup!!!!
I’d just leave it as is (and so glad you like the soup)! 🙂
Hi Jenn, I have some leftover smoked ham hocks from making your Smokey White Bean Ham Hock Soup (which was a huge hit by the way) and I was wondering if I could use those here instead of the ham steaks. Do you think that would be good? Thanks! Can’t wait to try making this one!
Sure, I think you could get away with hocks here (and glad you liked the white bean soup)!
Thanks! Would I still need to add the bacon?
While it’s not mandatory, I’d use it just for the additional flavor.
I made your soup with 2 changes : 1) I prefer yellow split peas instead of green, they have a slightly different flavor. I also use them because some in my family don’t like the green, I think it’s just a childhood association of some kind. 2) I left out the bacon, it seemed like a lot of fat. I used a thing called “cashew cream” that I found on the web (who knows where?). It’s a cup of cashews in a measuring cup, barely covered with water and soaked until you have to add more (about 1 -2 hours), then liquefy in a blender. For me, this smoothed out the texture, thins out the viscosity, and adds a subtle nuttiness to the flavor, which I like. In the end, I’m not sure I added or lost fat or calories, but at least it’s plant fat! Questions 1) I browned the ham in the pan to get some of that flavor, which it did, but when I shredded the ham later, it was hard as a rock! Will the ham be softer if I do not brown it? 2) I have previously simmered the soup until the peas are completely dissolved. This time, I stuck to your schedule and did not simmer so long. The result was that the peas did not completely dissolve, but they had to be crunched with my teeth when I ate the soup. Not chewed, just crunched. This is new to me, but I think I like it. Could you comment on how thick or thin the soup you like the soup to be? Anyway, Bravo on a great recipe !!!! Jack
Hi Jack, glad you liked the soup! To answer your questions: 1) Yes, the ham would be softer if you didn’t brown it. 2) The beans really should be soft. In terms of thickness, I describe it as medium (it shouldn’t be as thick as a vegetable purée). Hope that helps!
I agree, mine were not completely soft either. I followed the directions. Maybe I needed to turn the heat up a bit more?
Hi Wendy, sorry you found the split peas were not completely softened. I don’t think you need to turn up the heat, but next time I’d add about five minutes to the cooking time and then check them before moving onto the next step in the recipe.
I rarely award anything five stars these days, but this recipe absolutely deserves them. I made it exactly as written and it is the best split pea & ham soup that I have ever made in my life. Thank you once again, Jenn. Your work is so helpful to your many readers and their families.
I never leave comments but needed to come on here and say the flavor of this soup is off the chain 😋 so simple and yet so delicious!!!!
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