Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup is the perfect way to use up leftover ham and transform it into a hearty soup that is perfect for lunch or dinner. The soup slow cooks for 8 hours, resulting in a velvety broth chocked full of vegetables and ham.
Split pea soup. You either love it or hate it. I grew up hating it. My mom would make it a few times each year, and try to persuade me to try her families recipe for that thick green split pea soup. Of course, me being a young bratty child I always refused. It wasn’t until I was in college that I finally gave the soup a try, and found out that I loved it. I think the green murky color is what turns-off most people. In the the food blogger/ food photography world we like to call this soup “ugly food”. It is hard to photograph and convey how delicious this soup really does taste.
My recipe is a combination of both mothers ingredients plus put my own spin on it. You know I love veggies. So why not add lots to the pot. I also did something daring. I put a few parsnips in the slow cooker. Before making this soup I never even cooked or consumed parsnips. But I knew it was a root vegetable, and I figured this Split Pea Soup was the perfect dish to use it in.
Both mothers let their soups simmer on the stove top for hours on end. I don’t have that kind of time. Instead, I made my split pea soup in the slow cooker. If I remember to start it early enough this is the way I will make it. However, if I forget then I will make my Instant Pot Split Pea Soup version! Both turn out delicious each and every time.
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Ingredients
- Ham – You need both the ham bone and extra ham to top and/or mix into the soup.
- Split Peas – One 16 oz. bag is all you need for this recipe. No need to presoak. Just place them right in the slow cooker!
- Vegetables – Potatoes, parsnips, carrots, celery, onions, and green onions. The only thing that most people don’t put in their soup is parsnips and we really like the flavor it adds to it!
- Spices – Seasoning salt (this is my secret ingredient for the best Split Pea Soup!), fresh garlic minced, black pepper, fresh parsley, and a bay leaf!
- Water – Yes, you read that correctly. I have found that the ham itself has enough fat and salt in it. If you use chicken broth or stock it can be too greasy or even salty. Water is key. Trust me. Between the flavors of the ham bone, vegetables, and Seasoning Salt this is a very flavorful soup.
Directions
In a 6 quart slow cooker, place the ham bone and split peas in the slow cooker. Then add the sliced carrots, parsnips, white potatoes, onion, celery, and garlic on top. Add bay leaf, season salt, and black pepper followed by 6 cups of water. Stir until everything is incorporated.
Cook on low for 8-10 hours.
Once the soup is done remove the ham bone and add in the diced ham. Mix well, and add 3 tablespoons fresh parsley. Mix again.
Ladle soup into bowls and top with additional parsley and green onions.
FAQs
Here are all the frequently asked questions readers have asked when making this recipe.
My recipe for slow cooker pea soup makes 8 hearty adult portions.
Yes! My Slow Cooker Split Pea soup recipe is both gluten and dairy free. Just make sure your ham is meats the dietary needs (all depending on how you make it, but it should most definitely be gluten and dairy free.
Split peas do not need to be soaked before cooking. They cook relatively quick which is one reason why you don’t need to soak them!
Before you go to make the split pea soup you will want to sort through the split peas to ensure their are no little stones. Then quickly rinse them under water in a colander until the water turns clear. This will help remove some of the extra possible dirt and starch.
Vegetarian Split Pea Soup
If you are a vegetarian, the good news is that you can still enjoy split pea soup. You will omit the meat for this recipe. If you want the umami flavoring you can add a teaspoon of liquid smoke. It will give you a smokey flavor without any meat.
Tips & Tricks
Here are a few of my favorite tips and tricks I’ve learned when making this recipe.
- Prep – You can prep all the vegetables except for the potatoes the night before. You can even place all the spices in the bag. This will allow you to throw this together in minutes come the next morning. I do this often!
- Ham Bone – If you don’t have a ham bone, that’s okay. You can omit that part; however, the ham bone is what gives off so much flavor. You can use a pre-cooked ham to add at the end of your soup.
- Make Split Pea Soup Vegetarian – You can easily make this split pea soup vegetarian my omitting the ham bone and diced ham. Instead, I would use vegetable broth instead of water to add a little flavor to the soup.
- Toppings – Fun fact, I love to top my split pea soup with croutons! You can buy store bought or make a batch of my Garlic Bacon Croutons.
Leftover Ham Recipes
If you still have some leftover ham, here are a few more of my favorite ways to use up ham and make the leftovers shine like they are brand new again!
Favorite recipes that pair well with Split Pea Soup
Here are a few of my favorite recipes that pair well with split pea soup. Although, just enjoying a bowl of soup on it’s own can be rather filling.
If you make this Crock Pot Split Pea Soup recipe, I would be honored and love for you to take the time to leave a star rating and comment! I spend hours developing and testing these recipes, and always love to hear feedback and user experience!
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Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup
Equipment
- 1 Slow Cooker
- 1 Ladle
Ingredients
- 1 Ham Bone
- 2 cups Ham diced
- 1 16 oz bag of Dried Green Split Peas
- 3 carrots peeled and sliced
- 2 parsnips peeled and sliced
- 2 white potatoes peeled and cubed
- ½ medium onion diced
- 3 ribs celery diced
- 2 cloves garlic diced
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tablespoon season salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 6 cups water
- ¼ fresh parsley diced and divided
- 6 green onions thinly sliced
Instructions
- In a 6 quart slow cooker, place the ham bone, and split peas in the slow cooker. Then add the sliced carrots, parsnips, white potatoes, onion, celery, and garlic on top. Add bay leaf, season salt, and black pepper followed by 6 cups of water. Stir until everything is incorporated.1 Ham Bone, 1 16 oz bag of Dried Green Split Peas, 3 carrots, 2 parsnips, 2 white potatoes, ½ medium onion, 3 ribs celery, 2 cloves garlic, 1 bay leaf, 1 tablespoon season salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 6 cups water
- Cook on low for 8 hours.
- Once the soup is done remove the ham bone and add in the diced ham. Mix well, and add 3 tablespoons fresh parsley. Mix again.2 cups Ham, ¼ fresh parsley
- Ladle soup into bowls and top with remaining fresh parsley and green onions (if desired).6 green onions
Video
Notes
- Prep – You can prep all the vegetables except for the potatoes the night before. You can even place all the spices in the bag. This will allow you to throw this together in minutes come the next morning. I do this often!
- Ham Bone – If you don’t have a ham bone, that’s okay. You can omit that part; however, the ham bone is what gives off so much flavor. You can use a pre-cooked ham to add at the end of your soup.
- Make Split Pea Soup Vegetarian – You can easily make this split pea soup vegetarian my omitting the ham bone and diced ham. Instead, I would use vegetable broth instead of water to add a little flavor to the soup.
- Toppings – Fun fact, I love to top my split pea soup with croutons! You can buy store bought or make a batch of my Garlic Bacon Croutons.
Dawn Boutilier
This is all going into the pot now but I have a question. The directions state in step 1 and 3 to add the diced ham. Which is your suggestion? Thank you, I know it will be delicious!
Katie
Hi Dawn, oh goodness. Typo on my behalf. I suggest placing the diced ham in once the soup is cooked so it doesn’t dry out. You can do either but that’s just my preference! Good luck and thank you for catching that mistake! 😉
Stacy P
This is an AMAZING recipe! So delicious! I absolutely love the yummy flavors! The hardiness of the potatoes as they break down towards the end of cooking. The slightly sweeter taste of the parsnip added a nice touch. I used a spiral ham and 3 cups of low sodium chicken broth and 3 cups of water. Will definitely be making this again!!
Katie
Stacy, thanks so much for leaving a review and that you loved it so much!
Kathy
This split pea soup is a winner! The best one I’ve made. Used the left over ham bone from our Xmas ham. I did’t have any parsnips so I omitted that and it still was great.
Thanks for the recipe.
Katie
Kathy, thanks for taking the time to leave a 5 star comment! Parsnips are definitely optional. So happy you loved this recipe.
Deb
Super easy & delicious. This will be my go to recipe from now on for split pea soup!
Katie
Deb, this makes me so incredibly happy to read! I love making my split pea soup in the slow cooker!
Hillary
My family loves this! Thank you!
Katie
Hillary I’m so glad they love it! 🙂 I’m making a ham tomorrow and will be using my ham bone and leftover ham to make this and freeze for when my baby arrives!
Kate
STUPID QUESTION ALERT!!!
The bag of split peas…….am I right to assume it’s a bag of DRIED peas!?
Katie
Hi Kate–yes! It’s a bag of dried peas. So sorry–I’ll add that in the recipe. Not a stupid question 😉
Nutmeg Nanny
It’s so funny how your taste changes over time, I love split pea soup now too 🙂 this looks great!
ashley - baker by nature
I have such a soft spot for split pea soup! Perfect to welcome the still chilly days of Spring!
Katie
Ashley, I do now, too!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl
This looks so good! I just might have to develop a vegetarian version :).
Katie
Just omit the ham… I’m sure it will tastes just as good (maybe add a little more season salt/pepper)!
dixya@food, pleasure, and health
love this – however, I do not add ham to it. such a comforting, nutritious dish
Katie
Oh I bet it tastes just as good without ham!
Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough
I loOOoooOOOVve split pea soup! Seriously love. Even better in the slow cooker!
Katie
Thanks Stephanie!
Paula@SweetPea
This looks delicious! We love split pea soup and I haven’t made it in a long while. My mom made a ham for Easter and is freezing the leftovers for me. When I get them, I’m making this for sure.
Katie
Awesome Paula!
Ashley Bee (Quarter Life Crisis Cuisine)
I love split pea soup, but never make it because it seems too hard. But in a slow cooker, EVERYTHING is easy!
Katie
Ashley–I was the same way! Just throw it all in the slow cooker and let it do all the work for you!
Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain
Confession: I have never made split pea soup before. GASP! Now, with this recipe there’s no excuse!
Katie
Lauren–it wasn’t until last when I finally made split pea! Go and make it!