Instant Pot Split Pea Soup

Name: Instant Pot Split Pea Soup
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 12
Ingredients: 1/4 cup olive oil; 1 1/2 white onion, diced; 1 1/2 cup carrots, chopped; 1 cup celery, diced; 1 teaspoon pepper; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 3 cloves of garlic, minced; 1 bag of frozen peas; 1 ham bone; 4 cups vegetable broth; 2 cups of water; 2 tablespoons thyme; 1 teaspoon paprika; Cooked ham for garnish, optional

by Arianna Litrenta

12 Servings

50 min

There's nothing better than a big bowl of soup when you're sick or when it's cold. It's one of the ultimate comfort foods that, at times, can even be good for you too! This easy Instant Pot Split Pea Soup recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, and delicious. Not only will it easily feed the whole family (or give you leftovers for the week), but it also is hearty and filling. In less than an hour, you can have a warm bowl of Split Pea Soup ready to be devoured.

A few years ago, my dad gave my mom an Instant Pot for Christmas. After a while, my mom found she just didn't use it, so she gave it to me. Although I had heard amazing things, I was apprehensive at first. I already had a crockpot, so I wasn't sure if I would use this new gadget. Oh, how I was wrong!

The Instant Pot is a lifesaver for soups, rice, vegetables, and even pasta! This nifty device has saved me hours building the flavor for a soup and cuts the time in half or more! Thanks to the Instant Pot, this recipe comes together in just 45 minutes, whereas it would've taken about three hours on the stove to cook and develop those flavors.

While you can follow this recipe sans Instant Pot, I would highly suggest investing in one. Whether you're running late or just want something fast and easy, the Instant Pot is there when you need it

The base of this Split Pea Soup is a Mirepoix, a combination of diced onions, carrots, and celery. This vegetarian base allows us to build off of the aromatic vegetables and create a delicious soup. Luckily, this soup can quickly adapt to be vegetarian with just a few easy changes! Without the ham bone or garnished pieces of ham, it's already vegetarian. But, we need to make up for those missing pieces. Here's how we do so:

The ham bone provides an excellent fat to the soup that thickens it and enriches the flavor. To replace that fat source, you can add 1/2 cup coconut milk. The coconut milk adds a touch of sweetness that you can cut by adding more paprika, thyme, and pepper.
I believe that every soup needs a garnish, whether it's crackers in chicken noodle soup or ham on split pea soup. To replace the garnished ham, use mushrooms instead! I suggest using sliced white mushrooms and sauteeing them in olive oil, balsamic vinegar, thyme, and a dash of pepper. Not only will this add a great texture, but the flavors also pair perfectly with the split pea soup!

While Split Pea Soup is excellent on its own, every soup needs something to dip into the warm, savory bowl. Here are a few of my favorites to serve alongside your soup:

Warm, fluffy biscuits
Toasted sourdough bread
Zucchini bread

Or better yet, just serve the soup in a bread bowl! Not only does it mash the dish more fun, but there's nothing better than dipping warm bread into your favorite soup!

Instant Pot Split Pea Soup

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Recipe details

Yield 12 Servings
Time spent: Prep time: 5 Minutes Cook time: 45 Minutes Total time: 50 min

Show Nutrition Info

Per serving

% Daily value

Instructions

Set your Instant Pot to the "Saute" setting, then add the olive oil, onions, carrots, and celery
Saute for 5 minutes, occasionally stirring to avoid burning
Next, season with salt and pepper
Then, add the minced garlic and peas
Saute for another 5 minutes, until the vegetables have softened
Turn your Instant Pot to the "Stew" setting, and add the ham bone, veggie broth, water, thyme, and paprika
Place the lid on the Instant Pot and turn until it locks
Cook for thirty minutes, then turn to release the steam
Once all of the steam is out, remove the lid and stir the soup
Use a food emulsifier or blender to combine the ingredients
Garnish with slices of ham and serve warm!

Comments

Nicole P on Feb 23, 2021

This soup looks delicious!

Like Reply
Bklyn Cowgirl on Feb 25, 2021

Where are the split peas?

3 Reply
- See 4 previous
- Naomie Moore aka baileyanddaisey, Castaic CA on Feb 25, 2021
  
  She is using frozen peas.
  
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- LorriLJ on Feb 25, 2021
  
  I am thinking the same thing. Split peas are dried, not frozen.?
  
  3
- Naomie Moore aka baileyanddaisey, Castaic CA on Feb 25, 2021
  
  Correct. They are the same thing, just processed differently. Split peas have a longer shelf life and require no refrigeration, just a quick pick over and rinse before using in a recipe. Here the author might be using frozen peas as they are generally readily available in most grocery stores, and / or for ease of convenience.
  
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- Naomie Moore aka baileyanddaisey, Castaic CA on Feb 25, 2021
  
  And there is a difference in taste between yellow split peas in the referenced photo and green split peas. Taste difference to some are polarizing. Some say green are sweeter and some say yellow have a more "earthy" profile, and vice versa, choice is up to you. Yellow split peas will "cream" easier and green will hold their shape longer in a quick cooking recipe. If you want all the science behind them, just let me know.
  
  Like
- Annie Doherty on Feb 26, 2021
  
  That's exactly what I thought? Dried split peas as the colour reflects this?
  
  Like