🌟 Introduction
There is something wonderfully comforting about a bowl of homemade Pea and Ham Soup. Thick, creamy, hearty, and packed with tender pieces of smoky ham, this classic soup is the perfect meal for a chilly evening, a relaxed family dinner, or whenever you want something warm and satisfying. 💚🥣
This Crockpot version makes the recipe especially easy. Once the ingredients are prepared, the slow cooker does most of the work for you. As the soup gently cooks, the split peas soften and break down, the vegetables become tender, and the smoked ham hock releases its rich, savory flavor throughout the soup. 🥕🧄🍖
Serve it with slices of crusty bread for dipping, and you have a simple meal that feels wonderfully homemade. 🍞❤️
📜 A Little History
Pea and ham soup has a long history as a traditional comfort food in many parts of Europe and other regions where dried peas and preserved meats were inexpensive, practical ingredients.
Split peas were particularly useful because they could be dried and stored for long periods. Ham, meanwhile, was traditionally preserved by smoking or curing. Combining the two created a filling meal that could feed a family using relatively simple ingredients.
Over time, different countries and families developed their own versions. Some recipes use green split peas, while others use yellow split peas. Some include potatoes, celery, leeks, herbs, or other vegetables.
The basic idea remains beautifully simple:
🥣 dried peas + 🥕 vegetables + 🍖 smoky ham + slow cooking = delicious comfort food.
🛒 Ingredients
🍖 Main Ingredients
- 1 smoked ham hock
- 500 g split peas, thoroughly rinsed
- 1 brown onion, diced
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1.5 litres chicken stock
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
🍞 To Serve
- Crusty bread
- Fresh parsley, optional
- A little freshly ground black pepper, optional
- A drizzle of olive oil, optional
🌿 Optional Extras
For a slightly different version, you can also add:
- 1–2 celery sticks, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 small potato, diced
- A splash of lemon juice at the end for brightness
👩🍳 Preparation
Before you begin, gather everything you need and prepare the vegetables.
🫘 Prepare the Split Peas
Place the split peas in a sieve or colander and rinse them thoroughly under cold running water.
Check them over and remove any unwanted pieces or debris.
There is generally no need to soak split peas overnight, which makes them particularly convenient for slow-cooker recipes.
🥕 Prepare the Vegetables
Peel and dice the onion.
Peel and chop the carrots into small, even pieces.
Crush the garlic cloves.
Keeping the vegetables roughly similar in size helps them cook evenly.
🍲 Crockpot Method
Step 1 — Add the Ingredients
Place the following ingredients into your Crockpot:
- Smoked ham hock 🍖
- Rinsed split peas 🫘
- Diced onion 🧅
- Chopped carrots 🥕
- Crushed garlic 🧄
Arrange everything evenly in the slow cooker.
Step 2 — Add the Stock
Pour in approximately 1.5 litres of chicken stock.
The stock should surround the ingredients and provide enough liquid for the split peas to cook properly.
Add the bay leaf 🌿 and sprinkle in the black pepper.
Give everything a gentle stir around the ham hock.
Step 3 — Slow Cook
Put the lid firmly onto the Crockpot.
🔥 Low Setting
Cook on LOW for approximately 8 hours.
This slower cooking method allows the peas to gradually soften and the ham to become incredibly tender.
🔥 High Setting
Alternatively, cook on HIGH for around 4 hours.
Cooking times can vary slightly depending on your slow cooker and the age of the split peas.
The soup is ready when:
- The split peas have broken down.
- The carrots are completely tender.
- The ham is falling away from the bone.
- The soup has become thick and hearty. 🥣
🍖 Removing and Shredding the Ham
Carefully remove the cooked ham hock from the Crockpot.
Place it on a plate or cutting board and allow it to cool enough to handle safely.
Using two forks, gently pull the meat away from the bone.
Shred the ham into bite-sized pieces.
🦴 Important
Discard the ham bone and any pieces of skin, excess fat, or unwanted connective tissue.
Return the shredded ham to the Crockpot.
🥄 Finishing the Soup
Give the soup a really good stir.
Taste it carefully.
Add more black pepper if needed. 🖤
Be cautious with additional salt because smoked ham and chicken stock can already contain a considerable amount of salt.
If the soup is thicker than you prefer, add a little hot water or extra stock until it reaches your preferred consistency.
If you prefer an extra-thick soup, simply allow it to stand for several minutes before serving. The split peas will continue to thicken the soup.
Remove the bay leaf before serving. 🌿
❤️ Why People Love This Soup
There are plenty of reasons this recipe has remained such a beloved comfort food.
🥣 Comforting
The thick, creamy texture and smoky flavor make it incredibly satisfying.
🍖 Full of Flavor
The smoked ham hock adds a deep, savory taste to the entire soup.
🫘 Hearty
Split peas make the soup filling and substantial.
🥕 Simple
The ingredient list is uncomplicated and uses everyday foods.
🕐 Convenient
The Crockpot does most of the cooking for you.
💰 Budget-Friendly
Dried split peas are an inexpensive ingredient, while a ham hock can provide plenty of flavor and meat.
🌱 Potential Nutritional Benefits
This soup can also provide a variety of useful nutrients as part of a balanced diet.
🫘 Split Peas
Split peas provide plant-based protein and dietary fibre, which can help make the meal filling.
🥕 Carrots
Carrots provide nutrients including beta-carotene, which the body can convert into vitamin A.
🧅 Onion
Onions contribute flavor while also providing various plant compounds.
🧄 Garlic
Garlic adds strong flavor and contains naturally occurring sulfur compounds.
🍖 Ham
Ham provides protein, although smoked ham can be relatively high in sodium, so moderation and the amount of added salt are worth considering.
🥕 Overall
Combining legumes, vegetables, and protein makes this a satisfying meal that can fit nicely into a balanced eating pattern.
🍞 Serving Suggestions
Serve the soup piping hot in large bowls. 🥣🔥
Add a generous piece of crusty bread on the side.
The bread is perfect for dipping into the thick soup and soaking up all those delicious smoky flavors. 🍞😋
You could also serve it with:
- Toasted sourdough
- Garlic bread 🧄🍞
- Whole-grain bread
- A simple green salad 🥗
- Steamed vegetables
- Fresh parsley 🌿
For extra presentation, sprinkle a little freshly chopped parsley over the top.
✨ Tips for the Best Pea and Ham Soup
💡 Tip 1 — Rinse the Peas
Always rinse the split peas before cooking to remove dust and loose particles.
💡 Tip 2 — Don’t Over-Salt
Wait until the soup has finished cooking before deciding whether it needs salt. The smoked ham hock and stock can already be salty.
💡 Tip 3 — Let the Soup Rest
After cooking, allow the soup to stand for around 5–10 minutes. It will naturally become thicker.
💡 Tip 4 — Adjust the Texture
For a thinner soup, add hot stock or water.
For a thicker soup, continue cooking uncovered for a short time or simply let it cool slightly.
💡 Tip 5 — Remove the Bay Leaf
Always remember to remove the bay leaf before serving. 🌿
💡 Tip 6 — Make It Your Own
You can add celery, thyme, potatoes, or other vegetables to create your own family version.
❄️ Storage and Reheating
If you have leftovers, allow the soup to cool appropriately and store it in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
Because split pea soup thickens as it cools, you may find that leftovers look much thicker the next day.
When reheating, add a small amount of water or stock and stir well.
Heat until thoroughly hot throughout.
You can also portion the soup and freeze it for another day, making it a convenient make-ahead meal. 🥣❄️
👨👩👧👦 A Perfect Family Meal
This is one of those recipes that is ideal for sharing.
Imagine coming home after a cold day to the smell of smoky ham, vegetables, and herbs slowly cooking away in the Crockpot. 🏠❤️
The soup is warm, filling, rustic, and comforting without requiring complicated cooking techniques.
It is the kind of dish that can become a family favorite and be passed down from one generation to another.
🍽️ Full Recipe at a Glance
🥣 Crockpot Pea and Ham Soup
Preparation: About 15 minutes
Cooking: 8 hours on LOW or about 4 hours on HIGH
Serves: Approximately 6–8 portions, depending on serving size
Ingredients
- 1 smoked ham hock 🍖
- 500 g split peas 🫘
- 1 brown onion, diced 🧅
- 2 carrots, chopped 🥕
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed 🧄
- 1.5 litres chicken stock 🍲
- 1 bay leaf 🌿
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Crusty bread, to serve 🍞
Method
- 🫘 Rinse the split peas thoroughly.
- 🥕 Prepare the onion, carrots, and garlic.
- 🍖 Place the ham hock, split peas, onion, carrots, and garlic into the Crockpot.
- 🍲 Pour in the chicken stock.
- 🌿 Add the bay leaf and black pepper.
- 🔥 Cook on LOW for about 8 hours or HIGH for about 4 hours.
- 🍖 Remove the ham hock when the meat is tender.
- 🍴 Shred the ham using two forks.
- 🦴 Discard the bone and unwanted pieces.
- 🥣 Return the shredded ham to the soup.
- 🥄 Stir thoroughly.
- 🌿 Remove the bay leaf.
- 🖤 Adjust the seasoning.
- 🍞 Serve hot with crusty bread.
❤️ The Secret to Loving This Recipe
The real magic of this soup isn’t complicated ingredients or fancy cooking.
It’s patience.
The slow cooking allows the split peas to become wonderfully soft while the ham hock slowly releases its smoky, savory flavor. The carrots and onion add natural sweetness, while garlic brings another layer of flavor.
By the end, all those simple ingredients have transformed into one rich, comforting bowl of soup. 🥣✨
🌟 Conclusion
Crockpot Pea and Ham Soup is a beautiful example of how simple ingredients can create something incredibly satisfying.
With inexpensive split peas, a smoky ham hock, fresh vegetables, garlic, and chicken stock, you can create a thick and flavorful soup with very little hands-on effort.
Whether you’re making it for a family dinner, preparing meals for the week, or simply craving a warm bowl of comfort food, this recipe is a wonderful choice. 🍖🥕🫘🥣
So grab your Crockpot, gather your ingredients, let everything slowly cook together, and enjoy a steaming bowl of homemade goodness with plenty of crusty bread on the side. 🍞❤️
One spoonful, and you’ll understand why pea and ham soup has been loved for generations! 😋🥣💚