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Let’s talk split pea soup. I never had it growing up; I don’t know why. Looking at the color of it makes me understand that a little more.
It’s baby-poop green (that is if baby poop is green. I imagine if it were that this color is what it would be).
It’s thick and sometimes chunky. It has a distinctive earthy flavor from the peas. I think the above picture summarizes my previous emotions in relation to split pea soup.
But y’all – the soup is historically made with a HAM HOCK. I don’t even know what that looks like and I know it’s good! And this recipe is so simple…you don’t even have to go out and find a ham hock.
And I think we all know that we don’t want to show up at the grocery store looking clueless about what that is where to find it!
CROCKPOT SPLIT PEA SOUP
- 2 cups green split peas
- 5 cups water (or sub in vegetable or chicken stock)
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 1 carrot, shredded
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2-1 tsp cayenne pepper
- salt to taste
- 3 slices of bacon or 1 ham hock (optional if you have it)
If you’re using bacon, I suggest frying it up in a skillet until crisp. Keep the bacon drippings…we’ll use them at a later time. Set the crispy bacon in a plate to rest while assembling the rest of the soup. In a crockpot add the split peas, onion, celery, carrot, and black pepper. If you’re using a ham hock add that in as well; if not, crumble the bacon in. If you’re not using either that’s fine too! Cover with the water, stir, and set the pot on low for 8-10 hours. It’s done when the peas are tender and the soup is very thick. Stir in the garlic powder, cayenne, and salt to taste. Serve with crumbled goat cheese and/or croutons.
The final step?
Thank your lucky stars that God invented crock pots 🙂
Happy Monday y’all!
Thanks for telling me I don’t have to buy a ham hock. The bacon however is usually in my fridge. I do like a bowl of split pea soup from time to time. Great recipe! Is that you in that photo – love it!
I’m a huge split pea soup fan! I made it once during our first year of marriage while living in a tiny loft apartment and while trying to blend it I ended up with green splattered all over our room/home.
Peas are actually on my shortlist of ingredients that I’m typically not a fan of. I am however, a ginormous freak over soup. Perhaps pea soup will work for me? Only one way to find out…
I love split pea soup (and my crock pot!) and that picture of you is awesome!
Split pea soup is so gross looking but delicious. My mom always made it so I am not phased by the color anymore! I especially like it with a bit of greek yogurt or sour cream mixed in. Bacon is a fantastic sub for ham hock, good call! 🙂
Haha, I love split pea soup but I can see how the color would turn people off initially! Like the sub in of the bacon here because I know I wouldn’t want to go ask for a ham hoc, lol.
I’d eat it…despite the color 😉
this looks amazing
Hey Heather!!
I made something VERY similar to this last night for dinner!!! It was sooo good!! And apparently it was “almost” as good as my hunny’s “Nan’s Pea Soup” hehe
This isn’t really relevant to pea soup but your eyes are stunning! 🙂
I hope split pea soup! It’s filling, yet still seems light to me (minus the ham hock- haha). Thanks for sharing the recipe, sound super easy.
Yum! I never had split pea soup growing up, either. But I tried a vegetarian version of it a couple of years ago (once I got over how it actually looks) and fell in LOVE. I am a big fan of Amy’s canned + Franks Red Hot on top:). (I know, I’m such a consumer!)
i love split pea soup and have been looking for crock pot recipes, prefect!
You had me until you compared it to baby poo.
Sorry… I’ve changed one to many diapers that look like that soup.
I still love ya though 😉
I don’t know if I could do split pea soup. Because yes, it looks like baby poo. LOL
I’m with you – I’ve never been a huge fan of pea soup just because of the color. Which is funny because I love peas!
I actually love split pea soup. Glad you put some bacon in there 😉
We never had it growing up, either…b/c my dad hates lentils & split peas. I like to make an Indian-spiced version with coconut milk. This one looks awesome, too!
I’ve never had pea soup. Ever!
But if it includes bacon, I guess I have to try it now.
My mom used to make it with a hamhock! It’s a freaky looking pig body part. Probably one of the reasons I decided to go veg at such a young age;)
This post is yet another reason why I could use a crockpot in my life.
Split pea soup is one of my favorite winter meals. It was one of the first semi real foods that I could eat after being on an all liquid diet. Im surprised I didnt get sick of it.
I love split pea soup! Did you know that it’s what they used in the infamous scene in The Exorcist? Pretty funny.
I have to admit, pea soup reminds me too much of that scene in the Exorcist. But my husband loves it. And the pea soup he eats from the can isn’t nearly as pretty as yours. It’s a muddy green that looks pretty disgusting. Maybe next time I’ll make this for him instead.