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Jump to Recipe | Save RecipeThe Northeast is getting slammed with snow this winter. Here in the DC-area? We’ve seen zilch. It actually felt like Spring this past weekend with temperatures in the upper 50’s and low 60’s. It’s bizarre. Now, I’m not wishing constant snow like what the Northeast has but I just want a giant snowstorm. Just one this winter and I’ll be satisfied. It’ll also probably shut down the entire area for a good week but I’m down for that. That’s what winter is good for snow days, right?! I mean, in the summer you have vacations to look forward to but in the winter, you hope that the snow will give you days off, haha
Anywayyyyy…we’re still obsessed with Parenthood and spent the majority of our weekend watching it. We are well into season 2 & I think it’s funny how many actors in there that you end up recognizing from other shows.
Okay so Whole Foods has the most amazing smoked ham hocks around. You can buy them elsewhere for this soup but I HIGHLY recommend making the trek to Whole Foods if you have to because this split pea soup will be absolutely transformed from traditional to fan-freaking-tastic. Whole Foods’ smoked ham hocks are unreal and unlike any other I’ve ever had. It’s incredibly smokey but it doesn’t overpower the dish. You know it’s there but it’s not like eating liquid smoke or something. And my favorite part about their ham hocks is that they aren’t skimpy with the meat. These guys are MEATY. Not sure if you saw this on my Instagram but look at how HUGE these guys are! Sometimes they aren’t always in stock at Whole Foods so when they are, we stock up and vacuum seal and freeze them so we can always have this amazing slow cooker smokey ham and split pea soup.
I’m telling ya, this isn’t like any other split pea soup you’ve had before. If you’ve never had it with a good smokey ham hock, then you haven’t had the best split pea soup of your life. I really wasn’t a fan of split pea soup until I had this version and I really think the investment in a good smokey ham hock is what will make or break your dish!

Slow Cooker Smokey Ham and Split Pea Soup
Ingredients
- 16 ounce 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 chicken broth
- 1 large smoked ham hock
The default measuring system for this website is US Customary. Unit conversions are provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. While we strive to provide accurate unit conversions, please be aware that there may be some discrepancies.
Equipment
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to your slow cooker, gently stir around the ham hock to incorporate, then cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 5 hours. You want it cooked enough so that the peas are softened and the ham falls off the bone.
- 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.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to one week.
NUTRITION FACTS
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition information can vary for a variety of reasons. For the most precise nutritional data use your preferred nutrition calculator based on the actual ingredients you used in the recipe.
Deborah Wesselman
Monday 8th of July 2019
Love pea soup... looks delicious. Will it freeze ok? Like to cook big batches of foods and freeze left overs for later..,
Julie Wampler
Tuesday 9th of July 2019
Yes, I've frozen this particular soup before!
Laura
Saturday 9th of February 2019
Love this soup!
Louise Bickford
Saturday 22nd of September 2018
It would be a lot better if the nutrition info was included in the post.
Julie
Saturday 22nd of September 2018
Hi Louise. Appreciate the feedback. First, it is not hard to Google nutritional calculators and input this information yourself. Second, I am at no obligation to put nutritional information in my recipes HOWEVER, due to increased demand, I have been going back to old recipes and putting them in. I have over 1,000 recipes on this site so between the upkeep of this website and my full time job, I obviously haven't gotten around to this recipe yet. I would appreciate your patience and in the meantime, I'd suggest using an online nutritional calculator to help you out.
Cindy Millar
Friday 20th of April 2018
Making the Split Pea soup now with Ham Hicks (not the smoky) and carrots, smells so good.
Julie
Sunday 22nd of April 2018
yum!!! enjoy!
Mandee McNew
Saturday 23rd of January 2016
You poor thing! We live about 30 minutes from Benton's Smoky Mountain Hams and they have the BEST ham hocks in all the land! You should order some online along with some bacon and prosciutto. It will change your life! :)