Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Winter Nights
Easy Split Pea Soup is the ultimate comfort food for chilly nights. After making this countless times, I’ve discovered the secret to the creamiest texture. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy No Bake S’mores Pudding Cups Recipe and Easy No-Bake Matcha Coconut Cream Tart Recipe.
Why This Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Winter Nights Is Pure Comfort
- Creamy and comforting
- Packed with protein
- Better than takeout
- Freezes well for meal prep
What You'll Need for Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Winter Nights
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 lb green split peas
- 1 lb ham or bacon, diced
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 carrots, diced
- 3 stalks celery, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- Bay leaves
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped
- Optional: Crusty bread
- Optional: Shredded cheese
📝 Ingredient Notes
- split peas: Pick over and rinse before using.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Pot — Saves time and energy → See on Amazon
- Immersion Blender — Creates a smooth, creamy texture → See on Amazon
How to Make Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Winter Nights
- Soak peas: Soak split peas in water for at least 2 hours or overnight. Drain and rinse.
- Cook vegetables: Cook onion, carrots, celery, and garlic in a large pot until softened. Add diced ham or bacon and cook until browned.
- Simmer soup: Add soaked split peas, seasonings, and 8 cups of water or broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 25-30 minutes or until peas are tender. Use an immersion blender to puree until creamy.
- Serve: Serve hot with your choice of toppings. Enjoy!
Cook's Tips for Perfect Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Winter Nights
- Common mistake and fix: Don't skip soaking the peas. It helps prevent the soup from being too thick and aids in digestion.
- Time-saving tip: Use an Instant Pot to cut down on cooking time.
- Flavor boost: Add a ham bone or smoked ham hocks for extra flavor.
- Make-ahead tip: Soup freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Storing & Reheating Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Winter Nights
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: Soup can be made up to 2 days ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.
Freezing Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Winter Nights
Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in a saucepan over medium heat or in the microwave. Microwave: Stir occasionally until heated through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, omit the ham and use vegetable broth.
- Best substitution: Lentils can be substituted for split peas, but cooking time will vary.
- Make-ahead: Soup can be made up to 2 days ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If soup is too thick, thin it out with a little water or broth. If it's too thin, simmer uncovered until desired consistency is reached.
Want to level up this recipe?
Good quality stock pot — Even heat distribution for perfect soups → Check price on Amazon
Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Winter Nights
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb green split peas
- 1 lb ham or bacon, diced
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 carrots, diced
- 3 stalks celery, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- Bay leaves
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Optional Toppings
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Crusty bread
- Shredded cheese
Instructions
- Soak peas: Soak split peas in water for at least 2 hours or overnight. Drain and rinse.
- Cook vegetables: Cook onion, carrots, celery, and garlic in a large pot until softened. Add diced ham or bacon and cook until browned.
- Simmer soup: Add soaked split peas, seasonings, and 8 cups of water or broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 25-30 minutes or until peas are tender. Use an immersion blender to puree until creamy.
- Serve: Serve hot with your choice of toppings. Enjoy!
Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, omit the ham and use vegetable broth.
- Best substitution: Lentils can be substituted for split peas, but cooking time will vary.
- Make-ahead: Soup can be made up to 2 days ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If soup is too thick, thin it out with a little water or broth. If it's too thin, simmer uncovered until desired consistency is reached.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in a saucepan over medium heat or in the microwave.
- Microwave reheat: Stir occasionally until heated through.
- Make ahead: Soup can be made up to 2 days ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 6g
- Carbs: 50g
- Fiber: 16g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 30mg
- Sat. Fat: 2g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Winter Nights FAQs
Yes, soup can be made up to 2 days ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.
You may have not soaked the peas long enough or used too little liquid. To fix, thin it out with a little water or broth.
Yes, soup freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Yes, it's high in protein, fiber, and various vitamins and minerals.
Crusty bread, a side salad, or grilled cheese sandwiches pair well with this soup.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Winter Nights and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
