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    Home / Soup / Classic Split Pea Soup

    Classic Split Pea Soup

    Dried split peas simmer with a smoky ham bone and vegetables into a thick, hearty soup, perfect for a cold day.

    ⏱ 10 minPrep time
    🔥 90 minCook time
    🍽 6Servings
    🏷 SoupCategory
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    Split pea soup has ancient roots, with dried pea soups documented as far back as ancient Greece and Rome, and it became a staple of American home cooking throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, especially as a frugal way to use a leftover ham bone. It remains a beloved cold-weather comfort soup.

    Hearty, smoky, and deeply comforting

    Dried split peas simmer with a smoky ham bone and vegetables into a thick, hearty soup, perfect for a cold day.

    Step by stepInstructions

    1. Combine the split peas, ham bone, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, and broth in a large pot.
    2. Add the bay leaf and bring to a boil.
    3. Reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook 1 to 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the peas break down and thicken the soup.
    4. Remove the ham bone, shred any meat, and return it to the pot.
    5. Season with salt and pepper.
    6. Serve hot, with crusty bread if desired.

    💡 Chef tips & storage

    Split peas don't need soaking beforehand like some dried beans, but rinsing them well removes any debris. Stir occasionally toward the end of cooking, as the soup can stick to the bottom of the pot as it thickens.

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    Recipe details

    Prep10 min
    Cook90 min
    Servings6
    CategorySoup
    PublishedAugust 12, 2026
    Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

    Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

    Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →

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