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Erbsensuppe

Thick, green split pea soup simmered with ham hock, root vegetables, and marjoram, finished with sliced frankfurters — the northern German classic that turns a cold day into a warm one.

⏱ 15 minPrep time
🔥 1 hr 15 minCook time
🍽 6Servings
🏷 German KitchenCategory
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Erbsensuppe split pea soup with sausage and rye bread

A thick, green, soul-warming bowl of split pea soup, studded with smoky bacon and slices of sausage — this is German Erbsensuppe, the original comfort food. It’s the kind of soup that sticks to your ribs and tastes like a hug in a bowl.

Loved across northern Germany, it’s a classic winter warmer served with crusty bread or rolls. It only gets better the next day, so make a big pot and let it bubble away.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. In a large pot, render the bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon, leaving the fat.
  2. Soften the onion, carrots and celery in the bacon fat, about 8 minutes.
  3. Add the peas, broth, bay leaf and marjoram. Bring to a boil, then simmer partially covered 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. Add the potatoes and simmer 20 minutes more until everything is soft.
  5. Return the bacon, add the sliced sausage and cook 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. Serve hot in deep bowls with bread. For a smoother soup, purée half of it with an immersion blender.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Don't salt the soup until the end — the bacon and broth are already salty. Leftovers thicken overnight; loosen with a splash of broth when reheating.

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Recipe details

Prep15 min
Cook1 hr 15 min
Servings6
CategoryGerman Kitchen
PublishedAugust 17, 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 →