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Cozy slow cooker split pea soup with ham has the most incredible smokey flavor thanks to the smoked ham hock. Cooked low and slow in the crockpot and loaded with vegetables in a thick and hearty broth, you and your family will be so impressed with this version of split pea soup!

A bowl of hearty soup with chunks of meat and vegetables, garnished with herbs, served alongside slices of bread and a set of spoons on a wooden board.

Best Ever Split Pea Soup

A bold claim for this slow cooker split pea soup with ham but reading the emails I’ve gotten for this soup and also my own personal testament, this is a split pea soup recipe you should not pass up on!

I came upon the most amazing smoked ham hocks when I was at the grocery store and they looked so meaty and smelled so good that I just had to get some because I knew exactly what I was going to use it for – this split pea soup with ham.

Now you’re probably thinking that the smokiness will be overpowering in the soup, but it’s actually quite the opposite. It doesn’t overpower the soup, however you know it’s there in the background, but it’s definitely not like adding liquid smoke to a dish. I find liquid smoke can be incredibly smokey and a bit much. I’m telling you, this isn’t like any other split pea soup you’ve had before. The depth of flavor the smoked ham hock brings to this soup is the perfect balance. I really wasn’t a fan of split pea soup until I had this version and this freezes incredibly well so you can have leftovers for those busy nights!

How to Make Split Pea Soup with Ham

The beauty of this slow cooker recipe is that it is nearly completely hands off. It’s basically a dump and leave it situation. The split pea soup with ham cooks low and slow in the slow cooker for 5-8 hours and the meat from the ham hock just falls apart without much effort!

Other Cooking Methods

While I prefer the slow cooker for split pea and ham soup, there are two other methods that you can use to make it.

Stovetop: use a large (6 quart) dutch oven and add in all the ingredients. Bring to a boil then turn down the heat to a gentle simmer and cover and cook on the stove for 2-3 hours, or until the peas have softened and the meat falls off the ham hock. Shred the meat, stir and serve!
Instant Pot: add all the ingredients into the insert of the Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for 25 minutes. Allow it to naturally release for 15 minutes then manually release it. Shred the ham hock meat, stir, and serve!

A bowl of split pea soup with shredded ham, carrots, and herbs, served with a spoon on a wooden surface next to bread slices and parsley.

Substitutions and Variations

If you can’t find ham hock, you can absolutely use ham shank or ham bone. They might not have much meat to them so if you find that to be the case, you can add in some diced ham or bacon.
Add diced potatoes or butternut squash to the soup for a richer, heartier soup with more veggies!
You do not need to soak the split peas. They’re thin enough that cooking it slowly via the slow cooker will be just fine.

Storage, Freezing, and Reheating Instructions

Refrigerator: allow leftovers to cool then put leftover soup into an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, divide into servings and reheat in the microwave or stovetop until warmed through.
Freezer: allow leftovers to cool then divide leftover soup into freezing trays and keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, reheat on the stovetop until warmed through.

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5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup with Ham

By: Julie Chiou

Cooked low and slow in the crockpot and loaded with vegetables in a thick and hearty broth, you and your family will be so impressed with this version of split pea soup!

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 8

Total Time: 8 10

Servings:

Equipment

Slow Cooker

Ingredients

▢ 16 ounce (454 g) package dried green split peas, rinsed
▢ 3 large carrots, chopped
▢ 1 medium onion, diced
▢ 3-4 ribs of celery, chopped
▢ 2 cloves garlic, minced
▢ 1 bay leaf
▢ Salt and pepper, to taste
▢ 6 cups (1420 ml) chicken broth
▢ 1 large smoked ham hock

Instructions

Add all the ingredients to your slow cooker, gently stir around the ham hock to incorporate, then cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 5-6 hours. You want it cooked enough so that the peas are softened and the ham falls off the bone.
16 ounce (454 g) package dried green split peas, 3 large carrots, 1 medium onion, 3-4 ribs of celery, 2 cloves garlic, 1 bay leaf, Salt and pepper, 6 cups (1420 ml) chicken broth, 1 large smoked ham hock
After the soup is done, carefully remove the ham hock from the soup and shred it off the bone. Then you can roughly chop it up and add it back into the soup.
Stir to incorporate then turn off the slow cooker. Divide into bowls and serve!

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving (345 grams), Calories: 218kcal, Carbohydrates: 22g, Protein: 16g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 36mg, Sodium: 968mg, Potassium: 554mg, Fiber: 7g, Sugar: 5g

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Photographs by Meg McKeehan Photography