Classic Canadian Dishes: Split Pea Soup

By Gabby Peyton

This classic yellow split pea soup has some versatility when it comes to one of the main ingredients: the ham. Some cooks opt for the traditional ham hock, using the meat on the bone to add extra flavour, while others use leftover roasted ham or just the meaty bone leftover from a big dinner.

Learn more about the history of Pea Soup in this article: The History of Pea Soup in Canada.

Split Pea Soup

This classic yellow split pea soup has some versatility when it comes to one of the main ingredients: the ham.

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Course: Soup & Stews

Preparation: Stewing

Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours hours 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 3 hours hours

Servings: 8

Author: Gabby Peyton

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp butter
• 1 cup carrots peeled amd chopped
• 1 cup celery chopped
• 1 cup onion peeled and chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 16 oz dried yellow split peas (around 2 1/4 cups/ 560 mL)
• 2-3 bay leaves
• 2 Tbsp fresh thyme
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups leftover ham, cubed into 1-inch pieces (or 1 meaty ham bone, or 2 ham hocks)
• 8 cups chicken stock

Imperial – Metric

Instructions

• In a large Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat; add the carrots, celery, onion and garlic, stirring occasionally, until the mixture has softened and golden, around 15 minutes.
• Add the yellow split peas, bay leaves and thyme. Season with salt and pepper, cooking for about 2 minutes to impart flavours into the peas.
• If using a ham bone, trim off any excess fat.
• Add in the ham and chicken stock, then bring up to a boil. Cover and let simmer and medium-low, stirring occasionally, until the soup has thickened, 1.5 to 2 hours.
• Remove bay leaves. If using ham bone or hock, remove and let cool enough to handle to remove the meat, cut it into bite-sized pieces and put it back into the soup.
• Serve with fresh bread rolls.

Notes

Note: If the soup does not get thick, take out a cup of soup, blend it and reincorporate into the soup.

Nutrition Facts

Split Pea Soup

Serving Size

 

550 mL

Amount per Serving

Calories

351

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

6

g

9

%

Saturated Fat

 

2

g

13

%

Polyunsaturated Fat

 

1

g

Monounsaturated Fat

 

3

g

Cholesterol

 

30

mg

10

%

Sodium

 

743

mg

32

%

Potassium

 

1042

mg

30

%

Carbohydrates

 

48

g

16

%

Fiber

 

16

g

67

%

Sugar

 

11

g

12

%

Protein

 

27

g

54

%

Vitamin A

 

3069

IU

61

%

Vitamin C

 

14

mg

17

%

Calcium

 

68

mg

7

%

Iron

 

4

mg

22

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.