Ever wish dinner was done when you got home? Well, here you go. We make our Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup unique by adding some diced potatoes which add to the heartiness of this delicious and cozy soup. Throw your split pea ingredients into the slow cooker, turn it on, and dinner is done at the end of the day.
How to make Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup –
This slow cooker split pea soup is probably one of our easiest soups ever- just toss it all in, add some broth, some seasoning, wait 8-10 hours until the split peas are soft to your liking, whisk it to make it creamy, and that’s it. So easy, hearty, and delicious!
I did ‘healthy’ it up a little bit and didn’t include any oil or butter. I used low sodium broth and let the ham provide the sodium in this soup. You can always add more salt later so taste when it’s done and season to your liking. Split Pea Soup really comes together in the last hour or so of it cooking, so feel free to wait to season it until the very end if you like.
This slow cooker split pea soup is best served with crusty bread; Sourdough is my favorite. What’s a good soup if you can’t dip it?!
What kind of toppings could I add to this Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup?
- Sour Cream
- Parmesan
- BOTH sour cream AND parmesan (you rebel!)
- Bacon
- Cheddar Cheese
- Green Onions
- Chives
If you want to customize this soup, here are some other ideas to make this split pea soup delicious.
- Top with leftover shredded chicken or turkey. This is also delicious for leftover Thanksgiving turkey purposes!
- Add fresh herbs; 1 tsp each of thyme, sage, and parsley. Add to slow cooker along with broth and stir. This adds an earthier flavor that is almost reminiscent of the holidays. Garlic would be great as well (2 chopped cloves added with vegetables in the beginning).
- Omit the potatoes if you are trying to watch carbohydrates.
- We used cubed ham out of simplicity, but traditionally, a ham hock is used. If you want to use a ham hock, add it to the slow cooker along with the beginning steps. After the soup is done cooking, and about 30 minutes before you serve it, remove meat from ham hock and return meat only to the slow cooker.
- Smoked sausage would also be delicious in this soup; I recommend Aidells, but your local butcher will have some as well.
- If you don’t eat pork, use a smoked turkey leg in place of ham or sausage.
Other Tips so your Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup turns out PERFECT:
- Be cautious of how your slow cooker runs temperature wise. In a newer slow cooker, the peas should be soft after 8 hours on low. If your slow cooker doesn’t get super warm, consider putting it on high for 6 hours instead. We Like this Crock Pot brand slow cooker.
- Don’t get antsy and lift the lid on the slow cooker; it releases all the heat and will seriously add to the cook time. Leave it be for at least 7 hours, THEN you can look at it.
- Use good chicken broth; beef broth is great as well for a heartier flavor. Our favorite bread is Kitchen Basics. If you can’t find it, you can add 1 tsp of ‘Better than Bouillon’ for added flavor.
We are TOTAL soup nuts around here; if you love yourself a good bowl of soup, in or out of a slow cooker, here are a few that we make often:
- Slow Cooker French Onion Soup
- Guinness Irish Stew
- Chicken Pho
- Sweet Potato Turkey Chili
- Sausage and Potato Soup (Reminiscent of Zuppa Toscana but better, healthier and easier)
- Sausage Gnocchi Soup – Our number one soup recipe!
Bone Apple Teeth! (Saw this on Facebook once- this little kid thought ‘bon apetit’ was ‘bone apple teeth’- ha! Cracked me up!)
Cheers! – Rachel
Print
Pin RecipeAn easy, hearty, and classic slow cooker take on Split Pea Soup.
- 16 ounces split peas
- 3/4 cup chopped white onion
- 3/4 cup chopped carrots
- 3/4 cup chopped celery
- 3/4 cup chopped white potato
- 1 cup cubed ham
- 6 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- 1 Teaspoon Pepper
Combine all ingredients into a slow cooker.
*Vegetarian Friendly Version* Leave out cubed ham, and substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth.
Cook on high for 8-10 hours. Careful not to lift slow cooker lid until at least 7 hours to retain heat.
After 8 hours, whisk soup briskly. The split peas should thicken, and the soup will turn creamy. If satisified, turn off slow cooker, or leave on if you desire a creamier soup.
Serve! Check out our list of garnish options- we prefer a dollop of sour cream and parmesan on ours. Enjoy!
Other Tips so your Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup turns out PERFECT:
- Be cautious of how your slow cooker runs temperature wise. In a newer slow cooker, the peas should be soft after 8 hours on low. If your slow cooker doesn't get super warm, consider putting it on high for 6 hours instead.
- Don't get antsy and lift the lid on the slow cooker; it releases all the heat and will seriously add to the cook time. Leave it be for at least 7 hours, THEN you can look at it.
- Use good chicken broth; beef broth is great as well for a heartier flavor. Our favorite bread is Kitchen Basics. If you can't find it, you can add 1 tsp of 'Better than Bouillon' for added flavor
If you want to customize this soup, here are some other ideas to make this split pea soup delicious.
- Top with leftover shredded chicken or turkey. This is also delicious for leftover Thanksgiving turkey purposes!
- Add fresh herbs; 1 tsp each of thyme, sage, and parsley. Add to slow cooker along with broth and stir. This adds an earthier flavor that is almost reminiscent of the holidays. Garlic would be great as well (2 chopped cloves added with vegetables in the beginning).
- Omit the potatoes if you are trying to watch carbohydrates.
- We used cubed ham out of simplicity, but traditionally, a ham hock is used. If you want to use a ham hock, add it to the slow cooker along with the beginning steps. After the soup is done cooking, and about 30 minutes before you serve it, remove meat from ham hock and return meat only to the slow cooker.
- Smoked sausage would also be delicious in this soup; I recommend Aidells, but your local butcher will have some as well.
- If you don't eat pork, use a smoked turkey leg in place of a ham hock.
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OMG, I love split pea soup so much. The husband and I don’t have plans for Thanksgiving this year. We are kinda excited about it because we’re going hiking instead! I need a dinner to prepare after we get back and I just found it! This recipe is perfect because I can throw it in the slow cooker and it will be done by the time we get home! We’ll most likely be exhausted and I won’t want to cook, so having dinner ready by the time we get some would be amazing!!! So happy I stumbled across this recipe!
How about nutrition information on these recipes. It would sure be nice as some of us have dietary restrictions. Thank you!
Hi Linda! Done! Sorry for the delay, we have been traveling!