Are you craving a hearty, soul-warming meal that practically cooks itself? Look no further than this incredible Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup with Ham! Imagine coming home to a kitchen filled with the rich, comforting aroma of a classic soup that's been slowly simmering all day. This recipe transforms humble split peas and a simple ham hock into a luxuriously creamy, protein-packed meal that'll have your family begging for seconds. Whether you're battling a chilly winter day or simply want a no-fuss dinner that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort, this split pea soup is your ultimate culinary solution!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 6 hrs
Total Time: 6 hrs 10 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound split peas, rinsed
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 ham hock
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Rinse the split peas thoroughly under cold running water, sorting out any small stones or debris. Drain completely.
- Prepare the vegetables by finely chopping the onion, and dicing the carrots and celery into small, uniform pieces to ensure even cooking.
- Place the rinsed split peas into the slow cooker basin, creating an even layer across the bottom.
- Add the chopped onion, diced carrots, and diced celery on top of the split peas.
- Carefully place the whole ham hock in the center of the slow cooker, ensuring it sits on top of the vegetables and peas.
- Pour the vegetable broth over the ingredients, making sure the ham hock is mostly submerged.
- Sprinkle the dried thyme evenly across the surface of the soup, and add salt and pepper to taste.
- Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set to cook on low heat for 6 hours. Avoid lifting the lid during cooking to maintain consistent temperature and moisture.
- After 6 hours, carefully remove the ham hock from the soup. Let it cool slightly, then remove and shred the meat from the bone.
- Return the shredded ham meat to the soup and stir gently to incorporate.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve hot, optionally garnished with fresh parsley or croutons.
Tips
- Always rinse split peas thoroughly to remove any potential debris and prevent grittiness in your soup.
- For maximum flavor, use a meaty ham hock instead of lean ham - the bone and fat add incredible depth to the broth.
- Resist the temptation to lift the slow cooker lid during cooking. Each time you do, you'll lose heat and extend the cooking time.
- If the soup becomes too thick during cooking, you can add a little extra broth or water to reach your desired consistency.
- For a smoother texture, use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup after cooking, leaving some chunks for texture.
- This soup freezes beautifully! Store in airtight containers for up to 3 months for a quick future meal.
- For extra richness, consider adding a splash of heavy cream or a pat of butter when serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 18g
Fat: 6g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 25mg
