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The 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
Equipment
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 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.
Made this last night and my boyfriend absolutely loves it! Even more than the stovetop version I made a few weeks ago, which took nearly 3 hours of standing by the stove to make! Much happier with this version that look maybe 15 minutes of prep time! Thanks!!
I feel like a Pinterest Failure because my pot of soup was not this beautiful, verdant green. BUT, it tasted WONDERFUL! In spite of the fact that it was 70+ degrees, here, today.
And I forgot to mention that the best part was, that I pulled it together in the mere 10 minutes that I had before leaving for work. Came home to Dinner: Done!
Isn’t that the best?? :)
It’s not a Pinterest fail if it tasted wonderful :)
I had hoped that ‘Table for Two’ would have recipes that feed one or two people, but this recipe, and many others, are for a larger group. I could use amounts and instructions for a 1-1/2 quart slow cooker.
Hi Pat – I hear you on your concern. In my FAQ’s section of the blog, it explains the meaning behind the name ‘Table for Two,’ however, in November, I have a cookbook coming out called “Dinner for Two” and it’s an entire cookbook that has dinner recipes specifically developed for two servings :) In there, you will definitely see recipes for slow cooker recipes that are for smaller slow cookers! Hope you’ll consider buying it :)
I love how simple this is! I love split pea soup and at my local market, I often see smoked ham hocks. Totally going to make this soon!
You’ll love it! Enjoy!
Made this on Friday — fabulous for a snowbound weekend in Massachusetts!!
Simply scrumptious!!
It’s definitely perfect for those snow days! So glad you enjoyed it!
Split Pea Soup was one of those things I was too afraid to try as a child (you know…because it’s green…) but after having it as an adult it is so GOOD! I’ve never made my own though, but this slow cooker version seems like the perfect opportunity!
I’ve never had split pea soup before. I’m not a huge fan of peas but judging by the comments, it’s something I need to try!
Oh you definitely do need to try this! :)
We love soup in the winter… yum!
Can I plead trade you some of our 26+ inches of snow for a big bowl of the soup? Thanks for the tip on the ham hocks too!
This soup looks great! You know I love a good pea soup :) I always keep smoked ham hocks in the freezer too. They are great for bean soups and I also love using them in big pots of boiled green beans and potatoes. I’ll have to check out the ones from WF. Feel free to talk all of our snow and I’ll gladly take your 60 degree weather :)