Mom’s homemade pea soup with ham is a family favourite. She never threw the ham bone away. This split pea soup from scratch brings a whole new meaning to leftovers.
Thick, hearty and so darn delicious. It may not be the prettiest thing to look at, but your tastebuds will be singing with joy.
Traditional Canadian pea soup is made with yellow split peas, carrots and ham. A hearty and comforting homemade soup perfect for cold days.
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.
This Canadian pea soup recipe is all you need for a complete meal. So thick and hearty, one bowl of this and your belly will be full and happy. It is an economical way to feed a family. While this cooks, whip up some quick and easy Irish Soda Bread to go with it. The best kind of comfort food is simple to prepare.
Homemade soup is the best, and honestly so easy to make. You can make it on the stove, in a slow cooker or even serve a nice cold soup on a hot summer day.
Traditional Ham And Pea Soup Ingredients
Basic, simple ingredients to make the best pea soup recipe ever.
- Ham bone (or ham hock)
- Split peas
- Water
- Carrots
- Onions
- Bay leaves
- Salt and pepper
Homemade Canadian Split Pea Soup With Ham
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.
- Serve.
Suggestions / Recipe Tips
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.
For this pea soup recipe, I used a fresh ham hock. You can also get smoked ham hocks. Of course, the leftover ham bone from a holiday dinner is fantastic, and just the way mom made it.
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.
Childhood food memories are so wonderful. Mom and baba made some awesome meals. I also have fond memories of her Ukrainian Kobasa Kapusta on the holiday dinner table too.
Canadian 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 tablespoons 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.
Daniela
Pea soup is husband’s favorite, and this version looks to die for. I love how thick it gets the longer it sits (I like my soups on the thicker side). I also appreciate how easy it is to make! The perfect dish to make on a Sunday night and eat throughout the week.
Homemade & Yummy
Yes, that is exactly what I did…except on a Sunday afternoon!!
Lisa
Gloria, I frequently buy a ham just so I can use the ham bone for soup! Your split pea looks rich, thick and delicious and I know that bone will give it that wonderful gelatinous quality. We just had a cold front move through the area and this is EXACTLY what I want to warm up – but where do you find the yellow peas? I’ve only ever seen green.
Homemade & Yummy
Really, only green peas?? We have both in the stores here. I bet you can find them at Whole Foods??
Amanda
I’m with you — I love a thick pea soup, and this looks just perfect. And I love how much ham you got — looks amazing! Can’t wait to make this.
Homemade & Yummy
This turned out SO good…we just loved this delicious pot of soup.
Julie Menghini
I love split pea soup and used to buy canned (gasp) but like everything, homemade is best! I’ve even had to buy ham bones when I didn’t have one and was craving homemade soup like this one. I didn’t know that there were different colors of split peas. Green is what I see but always good to learn something new especially when it looks delicious too!
Homemade & Yummy
Yes, I have eaten canned as well. Sometimes you just get a craving for pea soup and want it NOW. Hope you give this recipe a try.
dee
Nothing better than a full meal in a bowl! So worth the work and this soup is just that!
Homemade & Yummy
Very little work involved…and delicious results too.
Marisa Franca
You can never have too many soup recipes. Soup makes the perfect lunch, dinner, or first course. I remember my mamma making split pea soup and she’d add ham to it too. So good and creamy. What a wonderful way to warm up when it’s cold outside. All I need now is some bread to dunk in that soup and a glass of wine.
Homemade & Yummy
Yes it is a nice creamy soup. Bread and wine would be perfect!!
Veena Azmanov
I love split pea soup in winter. Nothing like a good helping of ham to go with it. Love the color you got on this soup. Looks so inviting.
Homemade & Yummy
Yes it is the perfect way to use up that holiday ham bone.
Platter Talk
Split pea soup, made with a big old ham bone, simmering on the stove. Hardly anything better then that on a cold WI evening. ; )
Homemade & Yummy
Something about that is so comforting right!!
Lory Robinson
This looks great. Split Pea is one of our faves, especially in the winter! Definitely a great way to use leftover ham.
Chef G
Perfect for leftover ham.
Louise Smith
Do you know something? I haven’t had pea and ham soup for years! I may have to whip one of these up soon. Yum!
Chef G
Perfect way to use up a holiday ham bone.
Tatanisha W
Yum, what a delicious recipe idea. I love a good soup recipe on a cold, wintery day here in Michigan. Thank you!
Chef G
It’s one of our favourites for sure.
Censie
I am always looking for new soup recipes. This one looks fantastic.
Chef G
Thanks, hope you give it a try.
Laura Funk
I have all the ingredients to make this and have not tried it yet because I have not found a good recipe. I like yours.
Chef G
Well thanks so much. Hope you give it a try.
Tonya C
You are so right! There is nothing like the smell of soup simmering all day on the stove. Thanks for the recipe.
Chef G
You are welcome…and yes it does smell awesome.
laura londergan
I remember my momma making something very similar to this – I will have to show her this recipe and have her try this one too.
Chef G
Hope you do, thanks for stopping by.