Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup (w/ Ham)

Chopped ham and split peas with onions and carrot in a black crockpot on white background.

Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup (w/ Ham)

This comforting and easy slow cooker split pea soup is fast to prep in just 5 minutes, and is made with simple ingredients like green split peas, vegetables, and ham (or a ham bone); without any pre-cooking required. Let me show you how simple it is to make!

Course Soup

Cuisine American

Diet Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian

Keyword Crockpot, Slow Cooker, soup, split pea soup, split peas

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 5

Total Time 5 2

Servings

Calories 299

Author Robyn Conley Downs

Equipment

Slow Cooker

Ingredients

1 pound split peas, rinsed and picked over
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1 cup diced celery
2 cups diced carrot
3 cloves garlic. minced or finely grated
1-2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 quart chicken stock
2 cups water
2 cups diced ham or 1 ham hock

To Add at the End

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

Instructions

Slow Cooker Instructions

Add the split peas, onion, celery, carrot, garlic, bay leaves, smoked paprika, salt, broth, water and the ham or ham bone (if using) to a 6-quart slow cooker, stirring to combine.
Cover and cook on high for 5-6 hours or low for 7-8. Do not remove the lid during the cooking time.
Uncover, add the red wine vinegar, and stir to combine. Remove the ham bone (if using) and discard. Taste and add additional salt or vinegar if desired.
Note: This soup may be on the thin side at first. In testing, I turned my slow cooker completely off at the end of the cook time, leaving it covered to sit for an hour. During that time it cooled slightly and was significantly thicker, making it the ideal thickness. For this reason I recommend allowing an additional hour for cooling if you prefer a thick split pea soup.

Notes

Too thin: This soup thickens quite a bit as it cools, so if you want a slightly thicker consistency, allow it to cool for 30 minutes or so before serving.
Too thick: Add a splash of stock or water upon reheating if it’s too thick.
Serving suggestions: Chopped flat leaf parsley, freshly ground black pepper, hot sauce, crusty bread.

Nutrition