Smoked Ham Split Pea Soup is a delicious and cozy way to use up leftover smoked ham. Dropping the ham bone into a pot and simmering it releases rich, smoky flavor into the broth, turning simple ingredients into a comforting, hearty soup. Split pea soup is one of those classic comfort foods that stretches leftovers into multiple meals while delivering great taste.
A tall stockpot is especially useful for this recipe. The extra height gives you room for bones and a generous amount of liquid for simmering. While slow cookers and Dutch ovens are excellent for many soups, boiling down a ham bone to extract its full flavor is much faster and more effective on the stovetop.
Smoked Ham Split Pea Soup Ingredients:
- Dried split peas
- Smoked ham bone
- Smoked ham meat, chopped
- Carrots, diced
- Red onion, chopped
- Celery, diced
- Bay leaves
- Water or low-sodium chicken broth
- Bouillon or vegetable base (optional)
- Minced garlic
- Ground black pepper
- Basil
- Thyme (fresh or dried)
How To Make Smoked Ham Split Pea Soup:
1. Prepare the stockpot: Fill a large stockpot with enough water to fully cover the smoked ham bone. Bring it to a gentle boil. If you don’t have a smoked ham bone, a bone from a slow-cooker ham will work as well.
2. Simmer the bone for flavor: Add the ham bone, a spoonful of bouillon or vegetable base if desired, minced garlic, bay leaves, thyme, basil, and the chopped onion to the pot. Reduce to a low simmer and allow the mixture to simmer for about 3 hours, topping up with water as needed to keep the bone submerged. This long, gentle simmer draws smoky, savory flavor from the bone into the broth.
3. Remove the bone and add remaining ingredients: Use a large slotted spoon or tongs to remove the ham bone. Add the dried split peas, diced carrots, diced celery, and the chopped smoked ham meat back into the stockpot. If the pot needs more liquid, add water or low-sodium broth to reach the desired consistency.
4. Finish cooking: Bring the soup back to a simmer and cook for about another hour, or until the split peas are tender and the vegetables are cooked through. Taste and adjust seasonings—add more pepper, thyme, or basil as needed. Remove bay leaves before serving.
Tips and Variations
For a silkier texture, use an immersion blender to puree part of the soup, leaving some peas and ham pieces intact for body. If you prefer a richer mouthfeel, stir in a splash of cream near the end of cooking. For added heat, sprinkle in red pepper flakes. If you like additional vegetables, diced potatoes work well and will make the soup heartier.
How To Store Leftover Ham Split Pea Soup
Store cooled soup in airtight containers in the refrigerator for three to four days. For longer storage, freeze the soup in freezer-safe containers for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop, adding a little water or broth if the soup has thickened.
Portioning leftovers before freezing makes reheating faster and prevents waste. Use freezer-safe bags or rigid airtight containers and label them with the date.
Other Ingredients to Consider Adding
- Bacon for extra smokiness
- Butter for richness
- Red pepper flakes for heat
- Potatoes for heartiness
- Smoked ham hocks for deeper flavor
- Cheese or croutons as toppings
- Various beans (white, cannellini, navy, great northern) for added protein and texture
- Fresh parsley or thyme for garnish
What To Serve With Smoked Ham Split Pea Soup:
This soup pairs beautifully with crusty bread, garlic cheese bread, or pull-apart biscuits. Side dishes like roasted potatoes, smoked baked potatoes, grilled corn on the cob, steamed or roasted broccoli, and simple salads complement the smoky, savory notes of the soup.
What To Do With Leftover Ham
Leftover smoked ham is versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes beyond sandwiches. Try ham fried rice, ham and potato soup, ham and bean soup, or add diced ham to pasta dishes, casseroles, quiches, and salads. The smoky flavor enhances many recipes and helps transform simple meals into satisfying comfort food.
Smoked Ham Split Pea Soup Recipe Summary
- Prep time: about 15 minutes
- Cook time: about 4 hours total (3 hours to simmer the bone, plus about 1 hour after adding peas)
- Servings: approximately 8–10
- Equipment: large stockpot
Basic Instructions (Quick Reference)
- Simmer ham bone with water, aromatics, and seasonings for about 3 hours.
- Remove the bone, add split peas, chopped vegetables, and diced ham.
- Simmer another hour, adjust seasonings, and serve hot.
This smoked ham split pea soup is a comforting, economical way to use leftovers while producing a deeply flavored, nourishing meal. It freezes well, reheats beautifully, and makes excellent leftovers for busy days.