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An extreme close-up top-down shot of thick, rustic split pea soup with ham, showcasing the creamy texture and chunks of vegetables and ham.

Split Pea Soup with Ham Bone: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe

This hearty and flavorful Split Pea Soup with Ham Bone is the ultimate comfort food. An easy-to-make recipe using a leftover ham bone, simple vegetables, and dried peas for a smoky, satisfying meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: American
Calories: 380
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 2 large carrots chopped
  • 2 stalks celery chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 lb dried green split peas rinsed and picked over
  • 1 meaty ham bone about 2 lbs
  • 8 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Equipment

  • 1 Large Pot or Dutch Oven
  • 1 Immersion Blender (optional)

Instructions
 

  1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  2. Add the rinsed split peas, the ham bone, chicken broth, bay leaves, and thyme to the pot. Stir everything together.
  3. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 60-90 minutes, or until the peas are very tender. Stir occasionally.
  4. Carefully remove the ham bone from the pot. Once it's cool enough to handle, pick off any remaining meat and shred it. Discard the bone and fat.
  5. Return the shredded ham to the pot. For a thicker, creamier soup, use an immersion blender to partially blend it. Simmer for another 15 minutes to meld the flavors.
  6. Taste the soup and season with salt and pepper as needed. Remove the bay leaves before serving hot.

Notes

The soup will thicken considerably as it cools. When reheating, you may need to add a splash of broth or water to thin it to your desired consistency.
Be cautious with adding salt until the end, as the ham bone imparts a lot of salty flavor during cooking.
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