Pin it A comforting, savory soup made with split peas, leftover ham, and a ham bone for rich, smoky flavor—perfect for chilly days and making the most of leftovers.
I first made this split pea and ham soup after a holiday dinner when we had plenty of leftover ham and the bone still packed with flavor. The long simmer brings out a deep smokiness, and every spoonful is so warming on a chilly day.
Ingredients
- Leftover ham bone: Ensure some meat is attached for extra flavor
- Cooked ham: 1 cup, diced
- Onion: 1 large, diced
- Carrots: 2, peeled and diced
- Celery: 2 stalks, diced
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
- Bay leaf: 1
- Dried split peas: 2 cups, rinsed and sorted
- Low-sodium chicken broth: 8 cups (or water)
- Dried thyme: 1 teaspoon
- Black pepper: 1/2 teaspoon
- Salt: To taste
Instructions
- Sauté vegetables:
- Heat a splash of oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
- Add garlic:
- Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add peas and seasoning:
- Stir in split peas, ham bone, bay leaf, thyme, and black pepper. Pour in chicken broth.
- Simmer:
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until peas are tender and soup thickens.
- Remove and add ham:
- Remove ham bone and bay leaf. Allow bone to cool slightly, pick off any meat, return meat to the pot with diced ham.
- Season the soup:
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and more pepper if needed.
- Blend (optional):
- For a creamier texture, partially puree the soup with an immersion blender, if desired.
- Serve:
- Serve hot with crusty bread.
Pin it This soup has become a favorite for my family, especially after big holiday meals. It truly feels like a tradition when we all gather for leftovers transformed into something so satisfying.
Required Tools
You'll need a large soup pot or Dutch oven, a cutting board, a sharp knife for prepping the veggies, and a ladle. An immersion blender is handy for blending but not essential.
Allergen Information
This soup contains no top 8 allergens. If you use store-bought broth or ham, always review labels to ensure they're gluten-free or allergy safe.
Nutritional Information
Each serving delivers 320 calories, 8 grams of fat, 38 grams of carbohydrates, and 22 grams of protein.
Pin it Enjoy this soup steaming hot, paired with crusty bread for a simple, hearty meal. It's the ultimate way to savor leftovers and warm up on chilly evenings.