Split Pea Ham Soup Crockpot Recipe
This easy, hearty split pea ham soup is made in the crockpot for pure comfort with minimal effort. Smoky ham, sweet split peas, and tender veggies simmer to creamy perfection—perfect for chilly nights or busy schedules.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours (low) or 4-5 hours (high)
- Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes (low) or 4 hours 15 minutes (high)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (about 2 cups) dry green split peas
- 1 ham bone or 2 cups diced cooked ham
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and diced (about 1 cup)
- 2 celery stalks, diced (about 3/4 cup)
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 6 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Optional: 1 cup diced potatoes
- Optional: 1 small parsnip, diced
Instructions
- Dice carrots, celery, onion, and ham (if not using a bone). Mince garlic.
- Add split peas to the bottom of the crockpot. Layer carrots, celery, onion, garlic, thyme, and bay leaf. Place ham bone or diced ham on top.
- Pour in water or broth. Sprinkle with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika if using.
- Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4-5 hours.
- Halfway through, skim any foam from the top if desired. Peas should be soft and breaking down.
- Remove ham bone and bay leaf. Shred any meat from the bone and return to the soup.
- Stir well. Add apple cider vinegar. Adjust thickness with extra broth or water if needed, or cook uncovered for 15-20 minutes to thicken.
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs or extra black pepper.
Notes
For extra flavor, sauté onions and garlic before adding to the crockpot. Soup thickens as it sits—add broth when reheating. Use smoked paprika for more smokiness, or swap ham for smoked tofu for a vegetarian version. Remove bay leaf before serving. Freezes well for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 7
- Sodium: 950
- Fat: 6
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 15
- Protein: 22
Keywords: split pea soup, crockpot, ham soup, comfort food, slow cooker, easy soup, hearty soup, gluten-free, meal prep, family dinner