This easy recipe for Split Pea and Ham Soup can be made on the stove or in your slow cooker. The kick from a dash of chipotle powder and bites of smoked Gouda keep things interesting. A cozy dinner for a lazy (or busy) day. Originally published April 2012.
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So when I started this blog over 3 years ago, I of course posted all of my favorite recipes right away. What’s a food blog without the tried-and-trues? There are some recipes that I still make all the time for my family, but don’t get much attention here on the blog, because, well, only my mom was reading then. Which is kind of a shame, because hello, look at this soup. You should be eating it.
I usually go back and change the story of the post too, to keep it fresh, but for some reason I just couldn’t let this one go. I mean, who could toss out a list of their favorite movie quotes?
Apparently I can’t. So here it is, Karen From Yesteryear (circa April 2012):
Eric’s birthday is coming up. At work, they sent him a get-to-know-you questionnaire so that they can read it at their next staff meeting. The last question was “What is your favorite movie?”
Instead of naming one, he listed 16, complete with genre categories. That’s what you get when you ask people like Eric about movies.
For all you movie buffs, here’s Eric’s favorite “movie”:
Comedies: Groundhog Day. Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
Classics: Casablanca. It’s a Wonderful Life. The General.
Animated: Ratatouille. Wall-E. Spirited Away.
Epics: Star Wars. Lord of the Rings. Indiana Jones.
Action: Inception. The Matrix.
Others: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Cast Away. The Truman Show.
It got me thinking about some of my favorite movies, and of course my favorite quotes from them. Wanna hear some?
1. Han Solo: Keep your distance, Chewie, but don’t LOOK like you’re trying to keep your distance. [Chewie barks a question] Han Solo: I don’t know. Fly casual!
This is, of course, from Star Wars. I don’t even need to make an explanation for Han Solo’s awesomeness.
2. Chunk: Mikey, Mikey, this ain’t the kind of place you wanna go to the bathroom in.
Mama Fratelli: Why not?
Chunk: Because they might have daddy longlegs and um… dead things, Mikey, DEAD THINGS!
Goonies!! I was obsessed with this movie as a tween. What, you weren’t??
3. Miracle Max: Get back, witch.
Valerie: I’m not a witch, I’m your wife!
Vizinni: No more rhymes now, I mean it.
Fezzik: Anybody want a peanut?
These are from The Princess Bride, possibly the most quotable movie of all time.
4. I brought you flours. Harold Crick says this to Ana Pascal in Stranger Than Fiction when he brings her gourmet flours to bake with. My kind of man.
5. The kid is a L7 weenie. From the Sandlot. Yes please. (Do you want a s’more? Some more of what?)
6. Buzz! Your girlfriend! Woof!
Kevin McCallister on Home Alone. I will never get over this movie. It cracks me up. Just the other day my friend and I were in our church’s kitchen, and I held up a spoon and said, “Is this real silver?” And she whispered loudly, “Put it in your purse. Just put it in your purse!!” And I knew that I had found a Home Alone kindred spirit.
7. Dionne: Hello? There was a stop sign.
Cher: I totally paused.
This is from Clueless. I think this to myself every time I roll through a stop sign, and imagine myself saying it to a cop as an excuse. But officer, I totally paused!
Okay people. Your favorite movie quotes? Everybody’s got one! Come on, spill in the comments!
You’ll love this soup
Hi, it’s the Real Me again. Let’s talk soup. I love soup!! It’s so comforting and warm on a freezing cold or rainy day (or worse, a freezing cold AND rainy day, blegh). This one is so homey and filling: I love the veggies, and I love the flavor. Smoked ham and gouda take a pretty basic soup to the next level.
I usually make this soup around Easter when I have a leftover ham bone, but I was totally craving it recently. I didn’t feel like buying an entire ham just for soup, so I used a ham steak, and it worked out beautifully. Make sure you add whatever bones you have to the soup, as they lend great flavor.
But…what the heck is split pea soup?? If you didn’t grow up eating it, it probably sounds…unappealing. I mean, pea soup doesn’t sound amazing, and now you’re telling me the peas in my soup are broken?
Well, yeah, actually. Split peas are just regular green peas, dried and then split in half so they’re faster to cook. Pea soup dates back to ancient times (I’m talking Egyptians and ancient Romans) and has been eaten by everyone: European peasants, sailors, people struggling in the Great Depression, you name it. It’s really good for you, and the smoked ham and gouda make it taste amazing too.
Key ingredients
- Smoked ham or ham steak. The first time I made this, I used the ham bone from this Raspberry Chipotle Glazed Ham (my favorite ham, ever.)
- I love the little kick that chipotle chili powder adds to the soup. If you don’t have any, you could use regular chili powder, or omit entirely. But I really love the extra layer of smokiness it adds.
- Smoked Gouda. This is totally not optional, in my opinion. Gouda for president!! It’s a game changer, friends.
Featured Comment
“Best split pea soup I have ever made. Excellent recipe. Thank you.” – Robbie
How to make split pea soup with ham
You can make this either on the stovetop or in a slow cooker. The choice is yours.
Stovetop Instructions:
Rinse and sort the peas, then add to a large stock pot with water. Add chicken bouillon.
Turn the heat to high and boil. Add the bay leaves, onions, garlic, celery, carrots, ham bone, and chipotle powder. Bring to a boil again, then reduce to a low simmer.
Simmer for at least an hour and a half. If the ham is still on the bone, remove from the soup and chop, discarding the bone. Return the meat to the pot. Salt and pepper to taste.
Remove soup from heat. Dice the smoked Gouda into bite-size cubes, or use a vegetable peeler to shave it. Add the cheese to the hot soup and stir.
Slow Cooker Instructions:
Add the peas, water, chicken bouillon, bay leaves, onions, garlic, celery, carrots, ham, and chipotle powder to a very large crock pot.
Turn it on to low and cook for at least 4 hours, or up to 8. Chop the ham and return, if necessary. Season to taste and garnish with smoked gouda.
What to serve with this soup
I love serving homemade bread with this soup. Here are some of my favorites!
- Garlic Knots >> it’s impossible to say no to these garlic buttery beauties
- Grandma Prudy’s Rye Bread >> this is not the rye bread you’re used to! It’s lighter, more mild, and insanely good sliced and toasted with butter.
- Aunt Shirley’s Famous Dinner Rolls >> so fluffy!! Shortening makes these rise super high.
- Quick and Easy French Bread >> only one hour to hot bread on your table?? It’s true!
- Garlic and Rosemary Skillet Bread >> baked in a cast iron for amazing crispy edges.
How to store leftover split pea soup
Leftover split pea soup is one of those recipes that somehow gets even better the next day. Store cooled soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keep in mind that split pea soup thickens quite a bit as it sits, so don’t be surprised if it’s almost stew-like after a day or two.
To freeze, let the soup cool completely, then transfer it to freezer-safe containers or zip-top freezer bags, leaving about an inch of room for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating, or gently reheat from frozen over low heat if you’re in a hurry.
How to reheat leftover soup
Warm leftovers on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, or microwave individual portions in 30-second intervals until heated through. Since the peas continue to absorb liquid over time, you’ll likely want to stir in a splash of chicken broth, milk, or water while reheating to bring the soup back to your preferred consistency.
Split pea soup FAQs
Peas are picked from a field, and sometimes they can be a little dirty, or you might find a tiny pebble in there, so it’s a good idea to pick through them and rinse them (no soap needed).
Nope! The whole point of split peas is that they cook quickly, because they’ve been cut in half. You can soak them if you want, but it’s definitely not necessary (I didn’t).
If your split peas won’t cook down to a nice soft soup, they’re probably old. Like beans, split peas don’t have an infinite shelf life. If you’ve had them in the back of the pantry for a decade and you’re finally getting around to cooking them, be aware that they may take a very long time to soften (or may not soften at all).
Your split pea soup should never taste sour. We’re not adding any acidic ingredients, like vinegar or tomatoes, so if your soup tastes sour, it may have been in the fridge too long and gone bad. This soup should taste earthy and smoky with just a tiny kick from the chili powder.
Split Pea and Ham Soup with Smoked Gouda
Ingredients
- 2 cups dried split peas, rinsed and drained
- 10 cups water
- 3 tablespoons chicken bouillon
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 onions, chopped (3-4 cups)
- 2-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 stalks celery, chopped (about 2 cups)
- 3-4 medium carrots, chopped (2 cups)
- 1.5 pounds smoked ham, still on the bone, or a 1.25 lb ham steak*
- 1/4 teaspoon chipotle chile powder, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme, or to taste
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 6 ounces smoked Gouda, chopped into cubes or shaved
Instructions
- Rinse and sort the peas, then add to a large stock pot with 10 cups of water. Add 3 tablespoons chicken bouillon (I like the Better Than Bouillon brand). Turn the heat to high and boil for 2 minutes. Add the bay leaves, onions, garlic, celery, carrots, ham bone, and chipotle powder. Bring to a boil again, then reduce to a low simmer.
- Simmer for at least an hour and a half, or until the vegetables are soft and the soup is at a consistency you like. If the ham is still on the bone, remove from the soup and chop, discarding the bone. Return the meat to the pot.
- Salt and pepper to taste. Taste it first; remember, ham is very salty. You might not need any.
- Remove soup from heat. Dice the smoked Gouda into bite-size cubes, or use a vegetable peeler to shave it. Add the cheese to the hot soup and stir. Alternatively, you can add the cheese to each individual bowl.
Slow Cooker Instructions:
- Add the peas, water, chicken bouillon, bay leaves, onions, garlic, celery, carrots, ham, and chipotle powder to a very large crock pot. Turn it on to low and cook for at least 4 hours, or up to 8. Chop the ham and return, if necessary. Season to taste and garnish with smoked gouda.
Notes
If you use a ham steak, chop before adding to the soup, but be sure to add all of it, including the bone. Don’t trim the fat. That’s where much of the flavor comes from.
^^UPDATE 2017^^ I made this again a few weeks ago and didn’t bother chopping my ham steak before throwing it in the crock pot. I just tossed it in, then removed it after slow cooking, shredded it with 2 forks, and put it back in. I like the texture of the meat better this way, but either way will work great!
Nutrition
^^Here’s my original photo, just for kicks :)
Some other cozy soups you will love!
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We’re gonna play a little game. You Bombers will like it. It’s called Lights Out. (Amy Madigan in Streets of Fire, right before she decks the guy).
This is a fairly obscure movie, but one I have seen at least ten times. And I’m not really a movie person.
If I use ham hocks in the soup, is it ok to use smoked? Also, if I were to use smoked ham hocks, would I want to add them towards the end of the cooking time? Thanks!
Oh yes, I always use a smoked ham hock! No add them right when the recipe says. Can you even get non-smoked ham hocks? I’m sure you can somewhere but mine are always smoked.
I like a lot of movies, but I get a kick out of the TV show “Friends”. One of my favorite quotes from is from an episode where Chandler kissed Joey’s girlfriend.
“Over the line? You…you…you’re so far past the line that you can’t even see the line! The line is a DOT to you!”—Joey
This soup looks delicious! It’s full of goodness and substantial enough to fill you up for a long time.
Haha – what a fun old post to read! I would never think to put gouda in split pea soup, but dude, that sounds awesome.
I’m going to curse on your family-friendly blog with my favorite quote, but since it’s a kid that says it, it’s okay, right?? Julian: “…but I wipe my own ass, I wipe my own ass!” From Big Daddy.
Worth it. Both the gouda and the ass quote. :)
Oh how I loved smoked gouda!! This sound looks absolutely delicious!
That would be sounds and looks haha I apparently try to type way too fast :)
Hahaha! I LOVE Home Alone!! Definitely one of the best movies of all time! I also love pea soup, this recipe seems like a great spin on the classic Dutch pea soup or Snert!!
YES! I knew I wasn’t alone here with the Home Alone adoration. And what is Snert? What is Dutch Pea Soup? I’m off to google. Have a good one Christina, thanks for stopping by!
Number 1, 2, and 6 for sure.. I adore Home Alone. 1 and 2 of course. Here are mine:
From National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation:
Todd, Clark’s neighbor: Hey Griswold. Where do you think you’re gonna put a tree that big?
Clark: Bend over and I’ll show you.
Todd: You’ve got a lot of nerve talking to me like that Griswold.
Clark: I wasn’t talking to you.
same movie:
Aunt Bethany: What’s that sound? You hear it? It’s a funny squeaky sound.
Uncle Lewis: You couldn’t hear a dump truck driving through a nitroglycerin plant.
I could do this for hours Karen!!!
Haha, that is too funny! I can never remember any movie quotes, but yes, Princess Bride is definitely most quotable! This soup looks like perfect winter comfort food :)
YAS! Another Princess Bride fan! It just never gets old.
My dad always warned me about split pea soup as a bowl of horror to be avoided at all costs, but I’m pretty sure he wasn’t thinking about one with Gouda and ham. Plus, my mom always told me how dreadful rhubarb pie was, and that IS A LIE (please imagine Dolores Umbridge’s voice there).
Haha!! Definitely don’t trust anyone who is warning against Rhubarb Pie. Or who resembles a toad with a pink bow.
I love these flash back posts, Karen!! This soup looks delicious. I’ve never tried cheese or any kind in split pea soup. That’s about to change STAT!
Thanks Liz! It’s so fun to go back and read old stuff. At least for me, haha! Definitely add some gouda to your next bowl, it’s a game changer!
Since Im now thinking about food and movies from While You Were Sleeping:
“These mashed potatoes are so creamy”- Midge
“it looks like he’s leaning” – Joe jr.
Yes!! That movie is a classic!
Laura, isn’t it amazing how often an opportunity to use the “our time” quote comes up?
Karen, this soup was awesome. I was already planning on making split pea soup when I sat down at the computer yesterday. It was so fortuitous.
Perfect! Love it when the stars align. Especially when they align for Split Pea Soup.
While not technically it’s own movie, I love quoting most of the Star Wars gangsta rap.
“Eh, I’ll give it a whirl” – obscure, but from Home Alone
Two from Goonies: “Down here it’s our time. It’s our time down here!” and most of the scene when Chunk describes the movies/throw up fiasco – I’m not sure how to write throw up noises?
“Muuutaaatiooon!” – Waterworld. Not a favorite movie, but definitely a favorite quote.
Sandlot: “I’m baking like a toasted cheeser, it’s so HOT out here!”
“I do not think that means what you think it means.” – Princess Bride
These are quotes that are completely integrated into our regular vocabulary. I’d say Adam or I uses at least one of them on a weekly basis, if not more often. I know there are more we use regularly too, but can’t think of them all. Ahhh, movies. Bless your hearts.
EVERY time Eric or I say “It’s a disaster” one of always chimes in “Skywalker we’re after.” I will never tire of watching the Star Wars Gangsta Rap.
“Who you calling scruffy looking?!”
-Han Solo
I love the Han Solo quote. The world would be a much better place if more people quoted Han Solo. (And that kiss scene with him and Princess Leia? I get tingly every. single. time.) My husband would agree with many of your husband’s movie selections. Our oldest daughter’s name is Trinity because the Matrix was what we saw on our first date. And our second. And our seventh.
Seriously. When I heard that the Notebook got the best kiss award I scoffed. They’ve got nothing on Han Solo and Princess Leia.