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.
Traci
Yummy! 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
I have never tried this with green peas. I think I just might have to give it a try next time.
Maman de sara
This is such an easy soup. I wonder if we can substitute the ham bone with lamb or beef bone! thanks for sharing!
Homemade & Yummy
By all means, give it a try. In fact…lamb sounds amazing!! Let me know how it turns out.
Debra
Totally 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
You are welcome. Hope you give this soup a try.
Trish Bozeman
I 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
HAHAH and I have NEVER had it with green peas. ENJOY!!
Dana
Pea 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
Aw 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
Can 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
This is the great dinner soup for sure. That is the time we enjoy it most.
April
I 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
Hope you give this a try. It is a keeper.
Marisa F. Stewart
Yesterday 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
So glad you loved the soup. It is a keeper for sure.
Jori
It’s amazing how such simple recipes and simple soups can bring so much comfort. This pea soup is just that. Wonderful.
Homemade & Yummy
I love when the simple things in life are so delicious.
Veena Azmanov
Delicious and creamy and a must try recipe for Dinner. Soup is my all time favorite option.
Homemade & Yummy
This is a keeper…love it all year long.
Jacqueline Debono
Homemade 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
This pot of soup really did turn out so thick, hearty and totally delicious.
Cheese Curd In Paradise
Pea 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
I know right?? It is amazing how a ham bone creates such wonderful soup.
Celeste
For 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
Yes those childhood food memories are very powerful for sure.
Marisa F. Stewart
I 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
ENJOY…and it is raining here too.
Geetanjali Tung
I love split pea soup. This sounds lovely and delicious – just my kind of recipe ? Thanks for sharing!
Homemade & Yummy
Thick, hearty and so delicious.