Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Dinner
Easy Classic Split Pea Soup is the ultimate comfort food for cozy dinners. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the secret to a creamy soup without dairy. Keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Sticky Char Siu Chicken Recipe for Dinner and Easy Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Dinner.
Why This Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Creamy texture without dairy
- Hearty and satisfying
- Better than takeout
- Freezes well for meal prep
What You'll Need for Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Dinner
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 lb dried green split peas
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 medium carrots, diced
- 3 stalks celery, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped
- Optional: Crispy bacon, crumbled
- Optional: Shredded cheddar cheese
📝 Ingredient Notes
- split peas: Rinse and pick over before using.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Pot — Cuts cooking time by half → See on Amazon
- Immersion Blender — Blends soup right in the pot → See on Amazon
How to Make Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Dinner
- Step 1: Sort and rinse split peas. In a large pot, combine peas, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, bay leaves, thyme, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Add 8 cups of water.
- Step 2: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and let simmer for 45-60 minutes, until peas are tender.
- Step 3: Use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup until creamy. Stir in more water if needed to reach desired consistency.
- Step 4: Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and your choice of toppings.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Dinner
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the peas. They'll become mushy and lose their texture. To prevent this, keep an eye on them and adjust cooking time as needed.
- Pro tip: For a smoother soup, blend it more. For a chunkier soup, blend it less.
- Pro tip: Add a pinch of baking soda to the pot to help soften the peas and speed up cooking.
Storing & Reheating Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Dinner
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: This soup can be made ahead and frozen for up to 3 months.
Freezing Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Dinner
Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat until warmed through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon topping.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the split peas with lentils for a similar soup.
- Make-ahead: This soup freezes well. Make a big batch and freeze individual portions for easy meals.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If the soup is too thick, add more water or broth to reach your desired consistency.
Want to level up this recipe?
Dutch Oven — Evenly cooks the soup and keeps it warm → Check price on Amazon
Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb dried green split peas
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 medium carrots, diced
- 3 stalks celery, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
Optional Toppings
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Crispy bacon, crumbled
- Shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Sort and rinse split peas. In a large pot, combine peas, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, bay leaves, thyme, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Add 8 cups of water.
- Step 2: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and let simmer for 45-60 minutes, until peas are tender.
- Step 3: Use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup until creamy. Stir in more water if needed to reach desired consistency.
- Step 4: Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and your choice of toppings.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon topping.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the split peas with lentils for a similar soup.
- Make-ahead: This soup freezes well. Make a big batch and freeze individual portions for easy meals.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If the soup is too thick, add more water or broth to reach your desired consistency.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat until warmed through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: This soup can be made ahead and frozen for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 2g
- Carbs: 60g
- Fiber: 16g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sat. Fat: 0g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Dinner FAQs
Yes, this soup can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
If your soup is too watery, simmer it uncovered until it reaches your desired consistency. If it's too thick, add more water or broth.
Yes, you can make this soup in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
This soup is naturally gluten-free. Just be sure to check your seasonings and broth to ensure they are also gluten-free.
Yes, you can use canned peas instead of dried. Reduce the cooking time to 15-20 minutes and adjust the seasonings to taste.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Cozy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe for Dinner and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
