Want to make split pea soup but don’t have a ham bone? No problem! This split pea soup with ham uses ham steak – easy to make, comforting and delicious!
Split Pea Soup with Ham…so I know this is kind of a weird recipe for Chez CateyLou. I mean I get it – split pea soup sounds kind of odd, and doesn’t look particularly appealing. In fact for the majority of my life, I hated the stuff. My grandmother loved split pea soup and I remember her trying to make me eat it – she was unsuccessful. Little Cate was not going to touch that weird green soup. But one day a few years ago, I actually tried split pea soup and was shocked…I liked it! A lot! And this recipe for split pea soup with ham is seriously delicious, so I just had to share it with you!!
Split pea soup is typically made using a ham bone. However I don’t know about you, but I do not ever have a ham bone lying around. Actually, I don’t really know what a ham bone is….
But no worries – this split pea soup recipe uses ham steak, something that is available in every grocery store, and still has tons of rich flavor from both the ham steak and from a little bacon. The interesting thing about the bacon in this recipe is that you don’t actually eat it!! The bacon is simmered with the soup to add that smoky bacon flavor, but then you throw it away! Crazy to throw away bacon, I know, but the final soup tastes amazing, so I’m not going to question it!
If you think you don’t like split pea soup, this recipe might convert you! Take it from a former pea soup hater – the stuff is delicious. TheBetterHalf even loved this soup, and he thought he didn’t like pea anything! But if you think this is too weird to try, I won’t force you. And don’t worry, I’ll be back soon with more baked goods to make you happy 🙂
Want to make split pea soup but don't have a ham bone? No problem! This split pea soup with ham uses ham steak - easy to make, comforting and delicious!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 large onion, chopped fine (about 1 1/2 cups)
- Table salt
- 2 medium garlic cloves, minced or pressed through garlic press (about 2 teaspoons)
- 7 cups water
- 1 ham steak (about 1 pound), skin removed, cut into quarters
- 3 slices thick-cut bacon (about 4 ounces)
- 1 pound green split peas (about 2 cups), picked through and rinsed
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 1 cup)
- 1 medium celery rib, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 1 cup)
- Ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a large dutch oven, melt butter over medium-high heat and then add onion and ½ teaspoon of salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onion is softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds. Add the water, ham steak, bacon, split peas, thyme, and bay leaves and increase heat to high. Bring soup to a simmer, stirring frequently. Once the soup is simmering, reduce heat to low and cover the pot. Cook for about 45 minutes, until the peas are tender but not falling apart.
- Remove the ham steak to a plate and cover with foil.
- Stir in the carrots and celery then cover the pot and continue to simmer about 30 minutes longer. The veggies will be tender and the peas will have broken down almost completely.
- Shred the ham into small pieces, using two forks.
- Remove the thyme, bay leaves, and bacon slices from the soup and discard. Add the ham to the soup and bring it back to a simmer. Taste the soup and add salt and pepper to your liking. Add some water if the soup is too thick, or allow to simmer uncovered if too thin. Serve, topped with fresh peas, fresh mint, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.
Notes
Recipe from America’s Test Kitchen
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We love split pea soup! Great idea using a ham steak! I will have to do that next time!
Okay, NOW I can finally attempt to make pea soup. Why was the need for a ham bone always so intimidating. Thanks for sharing this great recipe! Pinning!
split pea soup has been on my “to do” list. Thanks for the recipe.
Thanks, KC!
I made a vegetarian version of split pea soup for my husband several years ago and turned him from a split-pea hater to lover. You are definitely onto something with leaving out the ham bone. This looks wonderful!
I really like split pea soup! I haven’t had it in awhile, but Ill have to try and make it home with your recipe! Yum!
Thanks, Kelley! Hope you like it!!
Terry and I just made split pea soup this past Saturday! But as you know, he can’t eat ham, so we made ours with half of the broth from the smoked turkey from our Christmas party, which gave the soup great flavor without the ham. We used the other half of the broth to make navy bean soup, which is also really good. And now our freezer is full of soup, which we thaw out and take to the office for lunch. 🙂
Split pea is probably my fave soup ever! Back when I lived in Alabama, I could get ham bones at my regular grocery but I haven’t seen one since moving to Colorado.
I’ve never made split pea soup, but it does look delicious!
One of my favorites! Can’t wait to try your recipe, I haven’t made spilt pea soup in forever! 🙂
Split pea soup is one of the few soups I’ve never made but I have to try it now. I like the addition of ham in this recipe.
I must try homemade split pea soup. And with ham? Sold!
I like that this recipe uses ham steak instead so I can actually eat the ham instead of just getting the flavor. I know what you mean about some foods not being the prettiest, but this looks really good to me, Cate!