Embrace the comforting flavors of fall and winter with this unbelievably easy Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup with Ham. This recipe is a true game-changer, promising a hearty, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying meal with minimal effort. Imagine coming home to the aroma of perfectly cooked split pea soup, ready to warm you from the inside out. What makes this recipe a standout is not just its delightful taste, but also its amazing versatility and the convenience it offers. It thickens beautifully as it cools, developing into a rich, substantial soup that tastes even better the next day. This makes it an ideal choice for meal prepping or enjoying delicious leftovers throughout the week.
The beauty of this crockpot meal lies in its sheer simplicity. Forget complicated steps and endless stovetop stirring. With just a few minutes of chopping, you’ll toss all your ingredients into the slow cooker, set it, and let the magic happen. Whether you prefer to dice your own celery, carrots, and onion, or save even more time by opting for pre-diced ham and vegetables, the prep work is incredibly straightforward. Cleanup is just as breezy, leaving you with more time to savor your delicious creation. The extended slow cooking process allows all the ingredients to meld together perfectly, infusing the soup with an unparalleled depth of flavor that a quick stovetop version simply can’t achieve. Each 1 ¼ cup serving is not only incredibly satisfying but also light, coming in at just 225 calories or 2 WW Points. For those tracking with Weight Watchers, you can easily view your current WW Points for this recipe and track it directly in the app or site by clicking here!
This Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup with Ham is more than just a recipe; it’s a testament to the joy of simple, wholesome cooking that delivers maximum taste for minimal effort. It’s perfect for busy weekdays, cozy weekends, or feeding a crowd with ease. The natural thickening process means you can customize the consistency to your liking, making it a truly adaptable dish for any preference. Say goodbye to bland, watery soups and hello to a rich, velvety split pea soup that will quickly become a cherished favorite in your recipe rotation.
Achieving Your Ideal Soup Consistency: Thin or Thick? You Pick!
One of the most remarkable characteristics of this Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup with Ham is its incredible transformation in texture. When it first finishes cooking after 8 hours on low, it might appear somewhat thin, resembling a brothy soup. However, don’t let this initial appearance fool you. This soup has a wonderful secret: it thickens significantly as it cools. After just a couple of hours in the refrigerator, you’ll find it has developed a remarkably rich and creamy consistency, almost akin to mashed potatoes. This natural thickening is due to the starches in the split peas breaking down over the long cooking time and then congealing as the soup cools.
The beauty of this characteristic is that it gives you complete control over your desired soup consistency. If you, like many, prefer a thicker, heartier soup, simply allow it to cool and refrigerate it. For those who enjoy a slightly thinner broth, or when reheating leftovers, a splash or two of water or extra broth will quickly bring it back to your preferred liquidity. This flexibility makes it incredibly convenient for meal planning. Want thick soup for dinner right away? Simply cook it overnight and transfer it to the refrigerator in the morning before you leave for work. By the time you return, your soup will be luxuriously rich, thick, and ready to serve. This method ensures that the flavors have ample time to deepen and marry, resulting in an even more satisfying culinary experience. You’ll truly appreciate the difference in consistency between the photos below, showcasing the soup right after cooking and again the next day (with a bit of water added for reheating).
Does This Soup Freeze Well? Absolutely!
When it comes to meal prep and maximizing convenience, the ability to freeze a dish is a huge plus, and this Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup with Ham excels in this regard. This soup freezes beautifully, making it an excellent candidate for batch cooking. Prepare a large pot on a weekend, portion it out, and you’ll have delicious, homemade meals ready to go for those busy weeknights when cooking from scratch just isn’t an option. When reheating your frozen soup, you’ll likely want to add a bit of water or chicken broth as it thaws and warms up, until you reach your desired consistency. Just like with refrigerated leftovers, the soup will have thickened considerably once frozen and thawed, so don’t be shy with adding a little liquid to thin it out to perfection.
For optimal freezing, I highly recommend using Souper Cubes (affiliate link). These ingenious silicone trays allow you to freeze soup in convenient, perfectly portioned blocks that easily pop out and can be stored in freezer bags. This not only saves space but also makes thawing and reheating incredibly simple. Of course, if Souper Cubes aren’t available, any freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags will work wonderfully. Just ensure the soup is completely cool before freezing and leave some headspace in containers to account for expansion.
Recipe Notes for the Perfect Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup with Ham:
- **Consistency Control:** As previously mentioned, this soup will become significantly thicker as it cools. If your goal is to enjoy a rich, thick soup for dinner, a fantastic strategy is to prepare it the night before. Allow it to cook overnight, then transfer it to the refrigerator in the morning. By lunchtime or dinner, the soup will have achieved that desirable, hearty consistency you’re craving, with all the flavors fully developed.
- **Choosing Your Ham:** While this recipe calls for diced cooked ham, feel free to use what’s most convenient and flavorful for you. I often opt for pre-diced ham, readily available at most grocery stores, to cut down on prep time. However, if you have a ham steak on hand, dicing it yourself works perfectly. This recipe is also an absolutely brilliant way to utilize leftover ham from holiday dinners or other meals, transforming it into a completely new and exciting dish. The smoky, savory notes from the ham are crucial to the soup’s overall flavor profile.
- **Preparing Split Peas:** Unlike some dried legumes, dried split peas typically do not require pre-soaking for this recipe. Their small size and tender nature mean they cook down beautifully in the slow cooker without the need for an overnight soak. However, it is essential to rinse and drain them thoroughly before adding them to your slow cooker. This helps remove any dust or debris. Additionally, take a moment to quickly check through your split peas for any small stones or foreign particles that might occasionally be mixed in. While rare, it’s a simple step that ensures a smooth and enjoyable eating experience.
Ingredients Deep Dive: Crafting Flavor from the Start
Understanding each ingredient’s role elevates a good recipe to a great one. For this Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup with Ham, every component plays a vital part in building its signature comforting flavor.
- **Dried Green Split Peas:** The star of the show! Green split peas are dried, peeled, and split legumes that cook relatively quickly without pre-soaking. They break down easily during slow cooking, creating the creamy, hearty texture that defines this soup. They are also packed with fiber and protein, making this a truly nourishing meal.
- **Minced Garlic Cloves:** Garlic provides a pungent, aromatic foundation, adding depth and warmth to the soup. Minced garlic infuses its flavor throughout the entire cooking process.
- **Chopped Onion, Celery, and Carrots (Mirepoix):** This classic trio forms the aromatic base of countless soups and stews. Onions contribute sweetness and pungency, celery offers a subtle savory note, and carrots add natural sweetness and a beautiful orange hue. Chopping them uniformly ensures they cook evenly and meld seamlessly into the soup.
- **Diced Cooked Ham:** The ham is the essential savory element, bringing a delightful smoky, salty flavor that perfectly complements the mildness of the split peas. Using cooked ham ensures it just needs to be heated through and its flavors released. Leftover ham works exceptionally well here, giving it a second life.
- **Black Pepper, Salt, Dried Thyme, Bay Leaf:** These seasonings are carefully chosen to enhance the natural flavors without overpowering them. Black pepper adds a gentle kick, salt balances and brightens all the flavors, and dried thyme imparts an earthy, herbaceous aroma that is classic in split pea soup. The bay leaf is crucial for a subtle, savory undertone, which should be removed before serving.
- **Lower Sodium Chicken Broth and Water:** A blend of chicken broth and water creates the liquid base. Using lower sodium broth allows you to control the overall saltiness, adjusting it to your preference. The water helps achieve the right consistency without making the soup too intensely flavored or salty.
Serving Suggestions and Customizations
Once your Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup with Ham is ready, there are countless ways to enjoy and customize it to suit your palate. For a truly comforting experience, serve it piping hot with a side of crusty bread for dipping, or crunchy homemade croutons for added texture. A sprinkle of fresh parsley or chives before serving can add a vibrant burst of color and a fresh herbaceous note. For those who enjoy a little extra kick, a dash of hot sauce or a pinch of smoked paprika can introduce a new layer of complexity. While this recipe is designed around ham, you could experiment with other smoked meats for a different flavor profile, though the classic ham pairing is truly irresistible. Some people enjoy a swirl of cream or a dollop of sour cream on top for added richness, though it’s perfectly delightful on its own. The beauty of this soup is its inherent adaptability, allowing you to make it your own with simple additions or garnishes.
Explore More Lightened-Up Soup Recipes
If you’re anything like us, the colder months instantly trigger a craving for warm, comforting bowls of soup. This Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup with Ham is just one of many fantastic options to keep you cozy and satisfied. If you’re looking for more tasty, lightened-up soup recipes to warm up to in the cooler weather months ahead, be sure to explore our extensive collection. You might enjoy my Butternut Squash Soup, a creamy and sweet autumnal delight, or the hearty and flavorful Lasagna Soup for an Italian twist. Don’t miss the rich Creamy Chicken Stew, the robust Black Bean Soup, or the innovative Slow Cooker Loaded Potato and Cauliflower Soup. For a taste of restaurant comfort at home, try our Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi Soup. Other fan favorites include Beef Taco Soup, Sausage and Tortellini Tomato Soup, Buffalo Chicken Soup, Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup, the famously delicious Zuppa Toscana, and the classic Broccoli Cheddar Soup. For more creamy goodness, check out Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup, or a fun twist with Spaghetti and Meatball Soup. You can find so many more comforting and healthy options in the dedicated Soups category of my recipe index!
Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup with Ham
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Ingredients
- 16 oz bag dried green split peas, rinsed and drained
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 cup chopped peeled carrots
- 16 oz cooked ham, diced
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 cups lower sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups water
Instructions
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Place all ingredients into your slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
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Remove bay leaf. The soup will thicken considerably upon standing and as it cools.
Notes
WW Points per (1 ¼ cup) serving: 2 (Points calculated using the recipe builder on weightwatchers.com)
Nutrition Information per (1 ¼ cup) serving:
225 calories, 40 g carbs, 4 g sugars, 2 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 25 g protein, 15 g fiber, 1070 mg sodium (from myfitnesspal.com)
MYWW SmartPoints per (1 ¼ cups) SERVING: (SP calculated using the recipe builder on weightwatchers.com)
Green: 7 SmartPoints/ Blue: 1 SmartPoints/ Purple: 1 SmartPoints
Weight Watchers Points Plus:
6 per (1 ¼ cup) serving (PP calculated using a Weight Watchers PointsPlus calculator and the nutrition info below
Adapted from Cooking Light and Persnickety Plates