Instant Pot split pea soup is perfect for a winter weeknight dinner. It’s nutritious and comforting, plus in the Instant Pot only takes about 30 minutes to make.
Is split pea soup healthy?
This delicious soup is healthy, providing you with important nutrients.
- Fiber
- Protein
- Iron
- Zinc
Are split peas the same regular peas?
Split peas are a type of field pea that is grown specifically for drying. The peas are hulled and then split in half along their natural seam, giving them their name. Because these peas are divided and smaller, they do not require as much soaking time.
You will find both yellow and green split peas. They have the same nutritional values, but yellow split peas have an earthy flavor. Green split peas are sweeter.
Should split peas be soaked?
I recommend soaking your split peas before making this recipe. It decreases your cooking time and ensures that all the peas will be soft.
They are also, way easier to digest, the longer you soak them.
However, if you forget to soak the peas, your dinner can still be made easily. Just add ten minutes to the time on the Instant Pot to accommodate for the unsoaked peas.
What ham is best for soup?
Any leftover ham will work for this soup. If you have the ham bone, even better. Toss that in to increase the flavor of the soup. The marrow and gelatin left in the bone will end up in your soup creating a rich flavor.
If you are purchasing ham specifically for this Instant Pot split pea soup recipe, I recommend a glazed ham or a ham shank. Ham hocks aren’t as meaty as other choices. You want to cut the ham into thick cubes. If you want a vegetarian version of this recipe, just omit the ham.
This soup is very similar to Instant Pot Lentil Soup so lentils can be used here as well.
Why use a natural release?
The natural release on the Instant Pot means that you do nothing. Let the ingredients inside come to normal pressure on their own. This does take some time; the exact amount of time is based on how full the Instant Pot is.
However, with meals like soup, a foam will be created in the Instant Pot. If you were to do a manual release of the pressure, the foam would shoot through the valve creating a risk of burns. Also, the ingredients continue to cook in the pot while the pressure decreases.
Can Instant Pot split pea soup be frozen?
This is a great freezer meal recipe. Split pea soup freezes well and will last for two to three months. Because of this, you can double or even triple the soup recipe so you have plenty to freeze. You don’t even have to adjust the cooking time. A larger portion means that the Instant Pot will take longer to come to pressure, but the cooking time will be the same.
Allow the soup to cool completely before putting it in a freezer-safe container or bag. For small portion sizes, you can freeze the soup in a silicone muffin tin. When you want to eat the soup, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight. You can heat small portions in the microwave or an entire pot on the stovetop.
Instant Pot Split Pea Soup
Ingredients
- 1 lbs dried split peas, soaked - to use unsoaked peas add 10 minutes high-pressure cooking time
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1 cup diced celery
- 6 cup flavorful chicken bone broth
- 10 oz smoked ham
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 Tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- sea salt
- pepper
- parsley
Instructions
- Soak split peas at least 2 hours, better overnight (up to 12 hours). Drain and rinse.
- Peel and finely chop onion and garlic.
- Peel and dice carrots, wash and dice celery.
- Dice ham.
- Preheat your Instant Pot by pressing the sauté button.
- Once hot, add a little oil or butter or a combination of both and add onion and garlic. Stir fry until translucent.
- Add diced vegetables and stir-fry until bright (about 3-4 minutes).
- Add broth, herbs, ham, and peas.
- Put on the lid and flip the valve to the sealing position. Set the Instant Pot to 15 minutes on high pressure.
- After the 15-minute pressure cooking time is over, let the pressure release naturally (at least 15 minutes). Do not turn the sealing valve manually for at least 15 minutes. After 15 minutes it's safe to turn the sealing valve and let remaining pressure out but full natural pressure release is always better.
- Once pressure released naturally and the safety pin dropped, open the pot, fish out the bay leaves and give the soup a try. Season with sea salt and pepper if necessary.
- Serve in a bowl and sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley. Enjoy!
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Diana says
Can I substitute the ham with bacon. And substitute split peas with actual frozen peas?
Diana says
And add lentils?
Lorena Grater says
you can add bacon instead of ham, yes! But you cannot use frozen peas.
Carole says
I made this last night. Was only able to soak peas for 2 hours. Didn’t have celery. Used more carrots and threw in a few potatoes I had left. No ham. It was fabulous!!! So easy. Thank you!
Tari says
Thanks Lorena for another great recipe. We had it tonight, with fresh thyme, rosemary & parsley from my herb pots. Split pea is one of our favorite soups, but I had not tried to make it in my IP yet. Thanks for all your hard work developing recipes. I absolutely LOVE my IP, so keep the IP recipes coming. P.S. Focus on the positive, which greatly outweigh the negative. 😉
Lorena says
Thank you so much for your lovely and encouraging words! I’m so happy to read you enjoyed the soup :)
Deb says
I do not have an instapot. Any changes to the recipe?
Thank you
Deb
Lorena says
Just add an extra cup of broth when cooking on the stove-top to account for the evaporation. That’s all really. Bring to a boil and once boiling, put on the lid and reduce the heat to low. Simmer until the split peas are cooked through. About 45 minutes.
Deborah says
I don’t usually comment but I suppose I should start now. You should know that the number of people who use your recipes and enjoy them vastly outnumbers those comment negatively. I frequently use your recipe index when I am planning what to make for dinner for the week. I have yet to have one fail. They are well written and my family enjoys everything I have made from your recipes including my toddler. Keep up the good work! It is appreciated! I am looking forward to trying your split pea soup next!
Lorena says
Thank you so much for your wonderful words Deborah! I’m so happy to read you and your family enjoy my recipes! That is my life goal. To bring delicious healthy food onto the family’s dining tables. It is what I live for ❤️
Mary Jane Schalk says
Hello,
I don’t have a pressure cooker, so can you say how long before soup is on when making on the stovetop?
Thanks, looking forward to trying this out.
MJ
Lorena says
Hi Mary, I recommend following all the same steps of browning onions etc. then adding all ingredients and 1 extra cup of broth because in a regular pot you don’t have a tight seal and some liquid will evaporate. Then, bring to a boil and once boiling, cover, reduce heat to low and simmer for approximately 30-45 minutes or until soft. The timing will depend mostly on how old the peas are. You will have to try them at the 30-minute mark to determine if they are properly cooked.
Paula says
Hi Lorena, your soup looks amazing! As I’m new to the IP, just a quick question, if leave out the ham, does the cooking time alter? Many thanks
Lorena says
Hi Paula, I’m happy to read I inspired you :) No, the cooking time stays exactly the same actually in this recipe if you leave the ham out. It’ll work perfectly well.
Beverley says
There are all kinds of people in this world. Most are kind and respectful. The rest we need to pray for because they are not in a happy place. I would delete any disrespectful comments as no one is interested in them. They benefit no one. We read the comments to get good information and ideas, not to read hurtful unnecessary ranting. Cheer up and feel sorry for such individuals because they are in need of some serious help.
Lorena says
Thank you so much for your kind words Beverly! You are absolutely right. If the comment isn’t helpful in any way I should just ignore or delete.
Linda says
Enjoyed reading the recipe AND watching the video. SPLIT PEA SOUP tonight‼️🙆♀️❤️
Lorena says
I’m so happy to have inspired your dinner tonight :D
Patsy says
I’ve already got the split soaking. Thank you for the delicious dinner idea! I just happen to have some leftover ham. Looks terrific.
Lorena says
YAY!!! So happy to be at your dinner table tonight :D