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Slow Cooker Split Pea and Ham Soup

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A hearty and comforting slow cooker split pea and ham soup with smoky ham flavor and crispy garlic croutons, perfect for cozy dinners and easy meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (about 300g) green split peas, rinsed and sorted
  • 1 large leftover ham bone with some meat
  • 1 ½ cups diced cooked ham (optional)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped (yellow or white)
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 6 cups (1.4 liters) low sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth for lighter version)
  • 2 cups (480 ml) water
  • 1 tbsp olive oil or butter (for sautéing veggies)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika or thyme (optional)
  • For the croutons:
  • 4–5 bread slices, cubed (day-old bread works great)
  • 2 tbsp butter, melted
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Rinse the split peas thoroughly under cold water, removing any debris or discolored peas.
  2. Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes until softened and fragrant. Stir in minced garlic during the last minute.
  3. Transfer sautéed vegetables to the slow cooker. Add rinsed split peas, ham bone, diced ham meat, chicken broth, water, bay leaves, and smoked paprika or thyme if using. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  4. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until peas are tender and soup is thickened. Avoid stirring too often.
  5. Remove ham bone and bay leaves. Skim off any fat if desired. Stir soup well; mash some peas with a spoon or use an immersion blender briefly for creamier texture.
  6. Prepare croutons by tossing bread cubes with melted butter and garlic powder. Toast in a skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently until golden and crispy (5-7 minutes), or bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10 minutes, tossing halfway.
  7. Ladle soup into bowls and top generously with crispy croutons and fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

If soup is too thick, add extra broth or water to reach preferred consistency. A splash of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice brightens the flavor. Remove bay leaves before serving. For gluten-free, use gluten-free bread or skip croutons. Leftovers thicken; stir in broth when reheating. Store soup and croutons separately to keep croutons crispy.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker, split pea soup, ham soup, comfort food, easy soup recipe, crockpot soup, hearty soup, garlic croutons

Find it online: https://evabake.com/slow-cooker-split-pea-and-ham-soup-recipe-5-easy-steps-for-comfort-food/