The BEST Slow Cooker - Split Pea Soup

bacon

🥗Healthier: turkey bacon

💰Cheaper: smoked sausage

Turkey bacon reduces fat while maintaining flavor.

ham

🥗Healthier: lean turkey

💰Cheaper: canned ham

Canned ham is often less expensive and convenient.

Rinse the split peas under cold water to remove any dirt.

Chop the onions, carrots, and celery into medium pieces, about 1 cup each.

Render the fat from the bacon in a large pot to sauté the vegetables.

Sauté the onions for about a minute before adding the garlic, then add the carrots and celery.

Add the split peas to the pot along with the sautéed vegetables, smoked ham hocks, and a bay leaf.

Pour in about 8 cups of chicken stock.

Set the slow cooker to high for the first couple of hours, then reduce to low for the remaining cook time.

After 2 hours, stir the mixture and turn the slow cooker to low for another 4 hours.

After 4 hours, remove the ham hocks and shred the meat, returning it to the soup.

Taste the soup and add salt and pepper to taste, using fresh ground pepper and sea salt if desired.

Turn off the slow cooker and let the soup rest for an hour to thicken and allow flavors to meld.

Garnish the soup with sour cream, bacon, and grated carrot before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary