Mom’s Pea Soup with Ham is a family favorite. She NEVER threw the ham bone away. This split pea soup from scratch brings a whole new meaning to leftovers.
Dried peas, a ham bone, water, carrots, onions, and seasonings are ALL it takes to make this pea soup recipe. Thick, hearty and so darn delicious. It may not be the prettiest thing to look at, but your tastebuds will be singing with joy.
The smell of certain foods seems to trigger the memories of when you lived at home and mom did the cooking. Coming home from school to the smell of pea soup cooking for dinner was so comforting, especially on cold winter days.
I was excited when we would have ham because I knew that wonderful soup was soon to follow. Whoever says they don’t like leftovers have not had THIS SOUP!
Pea soup with ham is a meal all it’s own. So thick and hearty, one bowl of this and your belly will be full and happy. Speaking of leftovers, this HUGE pot of soup creates MORE delicious leftovers. It is an economical way to feed a family too.
Homemade soup is so comforting. Great to warm you up when the weather is cold. The BEST food when you are feeling under the weather. Awesome to take to work or school for lunch too. As you open your thermos of delicious soup, the aroma will get the attention of everyone around you. I just know they will be wanting YOUR lunch instead.
With very little effort, soup can be enjoyed any day of the week. Leftovers are so good. I do have several soup recipes on the blog from easy blender soups to chilled soups for hot weather eating. Here are a few to look at (but check out the rest too):
HOW TO MAKE PEA SOUP WITH HAM
You can make split pea soup on the stovetop, in the slow cooker, and I am pretty sure by now there are Instant Pot versions as well. I am doing it just like mom did (since she was a pretty amazing cook).
You will need:
- ham bone (or ham hock)
- split peas
- water
- carrots
- onions
- bay leaves
- salt & pepper
Basic, simple ingredients. The hardest part about this easy split pea soup recipe is WAITING for it to cook. I like to just place this on the stove and let it simmer while I do other things. You really don’t have to babysit it once it starts to simmer. Give it a stir now and again, and that is about it.
- saute the carrots and onions
- add the rinsed peas along with the ham bone, water, and seasonings
- let simmer till done
- shred the meat off the ham bone (or ham hock), and return to the pot
- EAT!
YELLOW SPLIT PEAS OR GREEN SPLIT PEAS
It is common knowledge that split pea soup has a history. French Canadian pea soup is a true classic and is ALWAYS made with YELLOW split peas, and that is the only way I have ever had it.
There really is not much difference between the taste of dried green peas over dried yellow peas. Yellow split peas are a little milder, and green split peas are a little sweeter.
If you want to make a truly delicious green pea soup, head over and visit my blogger friend Amanda at Striped Spatula and give her recipe a try.
PEA SOUP WITH HAM BONE OR HAM HOCK
Ham split pea soup can be made with EITHER! The perfect way to use that leftover holiday ham bone. That is the way mom did it, and I have done it that way MANY times.
For this pea soup recipe, I used a FRESH HAM HOCK. You can also get smoked ham hocks.
The ham hock comes from the lower leg of the pig. It contains rind, fat, meat and bone. You can use it with all that attached if you like. I prefer a “leaner” soup, so I removed the rind and most of the fat before I added it to the stockpot. Just like a ham bone, the amount of meat will vary each time.
We LOVE thick pea soup in our house. As the soup sits (and especially when it is stored in the fridge), it will thicken even more. When you go to reheat the soup, and would like a thinner consistency, just add a little water. However the best pea soup is so thick, you could almost class it as a stew.
Whether you make crockpot pea soup, stovetop pea soup, or an Instant Pot version, I hope you give this easy pea soup recipe a try.
Hearty and delicious, Mom’s Pea Soup With Ham is ALWAYS a warm welcome in our home.
Do you have a favourite method of making soup? Stovetop or slow cooker? Leave a comment.
Be sure to sign up for my WEEKLY NEWSLETTER and grab your FREE printable. I would love for you to FOLLOW ME on social media too.
Mom's PEA Soup with HAM
Ingredients
- 1 ham bone (or ham hock)
- 24 ounces yellow split peas (rinsed)
- 12 cups water
- 6 ounces carrots (diced)
- 2 ounces onion (diced)
- 2 bay leaves
- salt & pepper (to taste)
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for sautéing)
Instructions
- Place the peas in a sieve, rinse with water and set aside.
- In a large stockpot, heat the olive oil.
- Saute the onions and carrots over medium heat until till soft (about 10 minutes). Season with salt and pepper, and mix.
- To the pot add the rinsed peas, ham bone (or ham hock), bay leaves and water.
- Stir to combine. Cover and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to a nice simmer, and let the soup cook until the peas are VERY soft. This can take about 2 hours or so.
- **NOTE** During the initial cooking, a FOAM will appear on the water. I usually scoop it off, but you can skip this if you like.
- Once the soup is cooked to your liking, remove the ham bone from the soup and place in a dish.
- ***NOTE*** At this point, if you would like the soup to thicken more, increase the heat slightly, and cook uncovered for about an hour. This will allow some liquid to reduce.
- During this time, pull the meat off the bone and shred. Return to pot. The size of the bone will determine the amount of meat you will be able to get.
- ENJOY!!
Kari Heron
March 19, 2019 at 11:23 AMHam hock is a great broth base for any soup. I love smoked ham hock because of the extra layer of flavour. This split pea soup takes me back to my childhood in Jamaica. Thanks for sharing!
Homemade & Yummy
March 21, 2019 at 3:34 PMYou are welcome. A smoked hock would make amazing soup for sure.
Natalie
March 18, 2019 at 6:57 AMI was just thinking the other day about making the pea soup for dinner. But I’m so bored with my old recipe I always make. I’m glad I ran into your recipe. It sounds just perfect, flavorful and delicious. It’s already saved 🙂
Homemade & Yummy
March 18, 2019 at 4:04 PMThis is a keeper…and has been in the family for years. Hope your family enjoys this as much as we do.
Julie
March 17, 2019 at 11:57 PMThanks for explaining the difference between the green and yellow split peas — I was really confused by the photos because I only think of split pea soup as green. I had no idea there were different colors of split peas!
Homemade & Yummy
March 18, 2019 at 4:04 PMThis is so funny. I have NEVER had pea soup with green peas. I just might have to see how that turns out.
Jo
March 17, 2019 at 11:26 PMI love split peas and we use it in so many ways. I need to try making soup out of it, it looks so filling and delicious! A perfect winter meal. Love the addition of ham here.
Homemade & Yummy
March 18, 2019 at 4:05 PMGreat use for that holiday ham bone. Sometimes I will make it with smoked pork chops when too.
Lauren
March 17, 2019 at 9:32 PMA great back pocket recipe to have with Easter around the corner. Put that ham bone to good use! I enjoyed reading the detail about the different peas, I wouldn’t have known!
Homemade & Yummy
March 18, 2019 at 4:06 PMYES…a great place to use that holiday ham bone for sure. ENJOY!!
Charity
March 17, 2019 at 8:11 PMSeriously, someone would throw a ham bone out?! It’s so good in soup. This one looks yummy Gloria!
Homemade & Yummy
March 18, 2019 at 4:07 PMWell, there are those people. I know they would change their minds once they tasted this soup.
Jessica Knott
March 17, 2019 at 4:40 PMMy great grandma used to make a killer pea soup recipe but I was too young to really be into adult cooking when she passed away. Since then, I’ve had an amazing pea soup at a restaurant in New Orleans over the Thanksgiving holiday that made me want to try recreating hers. This recipe is easy to follow and uses just a few ingredients — something I know hers followed as well. This will be wonderful to try before Easter and to possibly serve during that time!
Homemade & Yummy
March 18, 2019 at 4:08 PMENJOY….the simple recipes are always a hit. Our grandmas certainly knew what they were doing in the kitchen.
Amy
March 17, 2019 at 12:28 PMThis looks so great … especially right now, in the final few months of a long Ohio winter! Nothing like some good old-fashioned comfort food! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Homemade & Yummy
March 18, 2019 at 4:09 PMI am so looking forward to winter GOING AWAY. This is a great soup…and works on chilly rainy days too. Lots of those in the Spring and Fall.
Kelly Anthony
March 16, 2019 at 9:32 AMLooks so perfect hearty for all this cold weather! Love that it is made completely from scratch and with the ham bone! YUM!
Homemade & Yummy
March 16, 2019 at 10:32 AMSoup from scratch is the BEST. We love this one!!
Anne Lawton
March 15, 2019 at 8:58 PMThis is a hearty bowl of soup that looks like its filling and full of comfort!
Homemade & Yummy
March 16, 2019 at 10:33 AMYES on all accounts. All you need is the soup (and maybe some nice crusty bread too).
Carrie
March 15, 2019 at 9:58 AMI am a sucker for ham and pea soup – its such a great winter warmer! I look forward to trying your Mom’s recipe – the ones that have been passed down are always the best!
Homemade & Yummy
March 16, 2019 at 10:37 AMI agree. Some recipes are timeless for sure.
Jenni LeBaron
March 14, 2019 at 11:31 PMI love split pea soup and this recipe sounds so delicious. I especially love that you can set this to simmer with the ham bone and then not have to worry about babysitting this soup.
Homemade & Yummy
March 15, 2019 at 9:56 AMIt is one of those recipes that basically takes care of itself. Hope you give it a try.
Toni
March 14, 2019 at 9:18 PMI love it! Looks really comforting!
Homemade & Yummy
March 15, 2019 at 9:57 AMThanks, hope you give it a try.
Lathiya
March 12, 2019 at 5:42 PMThe pea soup with ham looks so comforting..just recovered from cold and I’m in need of this. Maybe I can try without ham..
Homemade & Yummy
March 13, 2019 at 10:19 AMYou can certainly make it without ham….but I have never tried to. The classic recipe is gold!!
Traci
March 11, 2019 at 11:04 PMYummy! I used to make something similar with green split peas back in college, but I love the idea of using yellow peas. I love how simple this recipe is, as well as the ingredients. The ham is a must, in my book. Great recipe! 🙂
Homemade & Yummy
March 13, 2019 at 10:20 AMI have never tried this with green peas. I think I just might have to give it a try next time.
Maman de sara
March 11, 2019 at 10:32 PMThis is such an easy soup. I wonder if we can substitute the ham bone with lamb or beef bone! thanks for sharing!
Homemade & Yummy
March 13, 2019 at 10:21 AMBy all means, give it a try. In fact…lamb sounds amazing!! Let me know how it turns out.
Debra
March 11, 2019 at 9:36 PMTotally agree…the thicker the better, when it comes to split pea soup. Nothing beats a family traditional recipe and the nostalgia that comes along with it. Thanks for sharing your story.
Homemade & Yummy
March 13, 2019 at 10:21 AMYou are welcome. Hope you give this soup a try.
Trish Bozeman
March 11, 2019 at 6:01 PMI love making soup from leftovers and I love simple soups with only a handful of ingredients. Mega-win right here! You know, I’ve only had split pea soup with green split peas. I didn’t even know it was made with yellow ones! Gotta give this a try!
Homemade & Yummy
March 13, 2019 at 10:22 AMHAHAH and I have NEVER had it with green peas. ENJOY!!
Dana
March 11, 2019 at 11:06 AMPea soup with ham is definitely one of my most nostalgic childhood soups. My grandma used to make it for me all the time. Nothing could beat that cozy thickness and that saltiness! This recipe is so much like hers it’s incredible. It really takes me back 🙂
Homemade & Yummy
March 11, 2019 at 4:08 PMAw the food memories are REAL!! I know exactly what you mean. I miss those days…those women really knew how to make some delicious food.
Mimi
March 11, 2019 at 8:15 AMCan the soup get any better? And the fact that there is a story behind it makes even better – what a great soup to have for dinner (because I love them for dinner).
Homemade & Yummy
March 11, 2019 at 9:16 AMThis is the great dinner soup for sure. That is the time we enjoy it most.
April
March 11, 2019 at 8:13 AMI am always excited about much loved family recipes that pass from one generation to another – they are filled with so much deliciousness and… thought. This soup is definitely the recipe I would love to try.
Homemade & Yummy
March 11, 2019 at 9:16 AMHope you give this a try. It is a keeper.
Marisa F. Stewart
March 11, 2019 at 8:12 AMYesterday we made your Peas soup with Ham Hocks. We decided to use the smoked hots we had in the freezer and the soup was so thick and satisfying. It was so good!! My son came over for dinner and he wanted to take some home with him. Great recipe, Gloria. It sure is a keeper.
Homemade & Yummy
March 11, 2019 at 9:16 AMSo glad you loved the soup. It is a keeper for sure.
Jori
March 11, 2019 at 12:21 AMIt’s amazing how such simple recipes and simple soups can bring so much comfort. This pea soup is just that. Wonderful.
Homemade & Yummy
March 11, 2019 at 9:17 AMI love when the simple things in life are so delicious.
Veena Azmanov
March 10, 2019 at 3:22 PMDelicious and creamy and a must try recipe for Dinner. Soup is my all time favorite option.
Homemade & Yummy
March 11, 2019 at 9:19 AMThis is a keeper…love it all year long.
Jacqueline Debono
March 10, 2019 at 8:32 AMHomemade soup is the best winter comfort food! I love that you have used a ham hock in this recipe. I can imagine how delicious your pea soup is!
Homemade & Yummy
March 10, 2019 at 10:54 AMThis pot of soup really did turn out so thick, hearty and totally delicious.
Cheese Curd In Paradise
March 9, 2019 at 11:34 PMPea soup is one of my favorite soups. I have wonderful memories of my grandmother making it and then my mother. It was always one f my favorite parts of the holiday- leftover ham equals delicious soup! I can’t wait to make this recipe!c
Homemade & Yummy
March 10, 2019 at 10:55 AMI know right?? It is amazing how a ham bone creates such wonderful soup.
Celeste
March 9, 2019 at 9:33 PMFor me, homemade soup is so much better than store purchased soup and it’s nice to have any time of the year. It’s amazing how a simple smell can trigger wonderful memories.
Homemade & Yummy
March 10, 2019 at 10:55 AMYes those childhood food memories are very powerful for sure.
Marisa F. Stewart
March 9, 2019 at 4:15 PMI really need something just like this. It may not be snowing outside but it has been raining non-stop and it’s close to freezing. This weather is just right for holding a hot bowl of pea soup in your hand. My mamma never through anything away either. Everything was used and it was all delicious. Your soup looks like it’s loaded with yummy flavor. I’m making it this week.
Homemade & Yummy
March 10, 2019 at 10:57 AMENJOY…and it is raining here too.
Geetanjali Tung
March 9, 2019 at 11:51 AMI love split pea soup. This sounds lovely and delicious – just my kind of recipe ? Thanks for sharing!
Homemade & Yummy
March 10, 2019 at 10:57 AMThick, hearty and so delicious.
Kacie Morgan
March 9, 2019 at 9:41 AMMy dad used to make a soup a bit like this with ham hock, it was absolutely delicious!
Homemade & Yummy
March 9, 2019 at 9:49 AMThis version is with a ham hock…so good.
Byron Thomas
March 9, 2019 at 8:12 AMGloria, you are so right about this recipe in so many ways. I freaking love pea soup. My mom used to make it at least twice a month in the winter months when we were growing up in Newfoundland. I never did get to make a meat/ham version though. By the time I started to develop my cooking skills, I was already in a relationship with a vegetarian, so my version has no meat at all. You’re so right about pea soup not being pretty. LOL. But, my God, it’s delicious! I truly enjoyed reading this post; sounds like you have some very fond memories.
Homemade & Yummy
March 9, 2019 at 9:51 AMMy son-in-law has made a vegetarian version. Not that he is a vegetarian but does not eat pork. I honestly do not know what is wrong with him. My grandson asks for RIBS all the time…and gramma delivers!!
Kelly Anthony
March 8, 2019 at 5:26 PMSimply delicious. I love that this soup doesn’t require a lot of ingredients or time and is perfect for busy weeknights.
Homemade & Yummy
March 8, 2019 at 6:17 PMSimple recipes are often the best. This is one of them. ENJOY!
Lois Christensen
March 8, 2019 at 7:12 AMMy mom made pea soup all the time while we were growing up. Your recipe looks so yummy! Your recipe is bringing back many happy memories of coming home from school to a big pot of soup simmering on the stove for our dinner.
Homemade & Yummy
March 8, 2019 at 6:19 PMYES…those food memories are the best right??
Danielle Wolter
March 7, 2019 at 8:30 AMthere is nothing quite so comforting as pea soup. it is just so good and so easy to make. I use green split peas in mine, but def want to try this version with the yellow!
Homemade & Yummy
March 8, 2019 at 6:21 PMHAHAH…see I have never had it with green. I am positive it would be equally as delicious.
Stine Mari
March 7, 2019 at 7:20 AMThis pea soup is so thick it’s almost a stew. So hearty and filling, I love it. In Norway we serve a thinner (but very similar) pea soup for dinner and then pancakes with blueberry jam after. Brings out all the childhood memories!
Homemade & Yummy
March 8, 2019 at 6:21 PMYou can never go wrong with any kind of homemade pea soup. So delicious.
Denise
March 7, 2019 at 6:59 AMThis is definitely stick to your ribs kind of soup. I have never seen yellow split peas but I like them! I can’t wait to give this a try because my mom used to make it and I totally forgot how much I like it.
Homemade & Yummy
March 8, 2019 at 6:22 PMYes….mom’s knew what they were doing in the kitchen that is for sure.
Sophia
March 6, 2019 at 7:27 PMI love split pea soup! Thank you so much for this recipe. It’s perfect for the chilly weather. Yum!
Homemade & Yummy
March 6, 2019 at 9:53 PMHope you give this soup a try. You won’t be disappointed.