I love using leftover ham for Split Pea Soup! This recipe is really easy and results in thick, rich, and creamy split pea soup with healthy ingredients. We make our split pea soup in the slow cooker for the ultimate comfort soup! Whether you’re using leftover ham from a holiday feast or just looking to make a hearty, one-pot meal, you’ll love this recipe!

Split Pea Soup with Ham Recipe

You can make split pea soup without ham, but I really love the depth of flavor it has with it! I had a leftover ham from Christmas so in this recipe I used the entire bone (with leftover bits of ham on it) and chopped some leftover ham for a little extra meat. You can use as much or as little ham as you like. Keep the salt content in mind when you’re seasoning the ham is my only tip, ham is rather salty so you might not even need to add any! Wait to taste test until the end if you’re unsure. You can always add, but you can’t take away.

Split Pea Soup Ingredients

This is a pretty straight forward recipe. No processed ingredients (besides the ham) and it all comes together in a slow cooker which is the best part. It’s really fun to watch this soup come together because the split peas completely change textures as they cook!

Ham
- The best flavor will come from using a leftover ham bone! As the soup simmers, the leftover ham bone slowly releases sweet, salty flavors into the soup. It really creates the most rich flavor.
- Not everybody has access to a leftover ham bone, so if you don’t have a leftover ham bone, simply chop up leftover ham.
Split Peas
- You can find them in a dried bean/rice aisle of your local grocery store.
Chicken broth
- Kitchen Basics is my favorite brand. It’s got great flavor!
Carrots
- Medium rough chopped.
Onions
- Medium rough chopped. I use white onion but yellow would work as well.
Seasonings
- Salt, pepper, granulated garlic, and a little poultry seasoning (my secret ingredient!).

Slow Cooking Split Pea Soup with a Ham Bone

I wish I could tell you some fancy method to making soup in a slow cooker, but for most soups, this one included, you just throw it all in there and let it cook. Put the dry ingredients in the slow cooker, followed by the ham bone, then pour in the chicken broth. Place the lid on the slow cooker, and turn it on low-medium heat. Let it cook for about 3-4 hours, then give it a stir. At this point, the split peas should be soft, but will need a little longer.

Continue to slow cook for about another 2 hours, and whisk the soup to fully incorporate the split peas. The soup will be come thick and rich!

Storing Split Pea Soup

Let the soup cool to room temperature before storing it in the refrigerator. Place it into airtight containers, and it keeps for about 3-4 days. You can freeze split pea soup for up to 3 months which I love doing for leftovers!

PRO TIP: Split pea soup is notoriously thick once it cools. It will resemble a very thick paste. I recommend adding a tablespoon of water or chicken broth per serving to loosen it up.

More Slow Cooker Recipes

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