Instant Pot Split Pea Soup

Rainy days and Holiday exhaustion mean soup days here. Split pea soup is one of my favorites. If you don’t have an Instant pot I have my regular version here, which is very similar, but pressure cooking makes it much faster and super simple.
Everything is dumped in the IP, there is no need to pre sauté vegetables. If you like you can puree the soup afterwards (minus the ham) but I like it with some texture. My butcher always has smoked ham hocks but you could definitely make this without a ham hock. Just replace the water with a stock. You can even make it vegan by using vegetable broth. If you are using a ham hock there is no need to use stock as the ham hock becomes ham stock.

Split Pea Soup

 
This is seriously one of my favorite dishes.… Do I say that alot?… Anyways, there is nothing that makes me feel more content than stirring a pot of soup.  Soup is a miracle food in my book.  It’s usually very healthy and satisfying, easy to feed a crowd with, inexpensive, easy to cook… need I go on?  And let’s not forget delicious! 
So there are many reasons I’m excited that “soup season” has begun around here.
And my cheddar pepper drop biscuits go just perfect with this soup.  Happy Soupin’!
 
SPLIT PEA SOUP
 
12 oz dried green split peas (about 1 1/2 cups)
4 cups chicken broth (or water)
1 cup cooked, diced ham or turkey ham
2 carrots, diced
1 onion, diced
1 tsp dried thyme
1 bay leaf
salt and pepper, to taste
 
Rinse peas and soak  in cold water overnight. (This is optional- they may just need simmered longer if you skip this step.)   Drain, rinse again.
Put peas along with everything else in a large pot.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmer.
Simmer for at least 2 hours, or until peas are tender.  If you want the soup thinner, just add more liquid.
 
*This soup also freezes well, if I have leftovers I freeze them in individual serving size freezer containers.  If it’s too thick when re-warmed, just add more water.
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