Split Pea Soup with Bacon is hearty and delicious, the perfect dish to warm you up on a cold day or keep you nourished when you have dental issues. Loaded with veggies, split peas, and turkey bacon, this soup is ultimate comfort! You can make it in the instant pot, on the stove, or in the slow cooker as well.
This Split Pea Bacon soup is delicious served with Cheese Biscuits for a quick and simple lunch. It’s tasty at dinner alongside Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Sandwiches. This is one of the best soups to freeze so don’t hesitate to make a big batch.
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Let’s get one thing clear right now. Split Pea Soup is not generally attractive. There may be some food photographer out there who can make it look amazing, but generally speaking, green soup can only look so good.
Appearances aside, Split Pea Soup is amazingly delicious. And really that’s all that matters, at least where food is concerned.
I would never have come to this glorious revelation if I hadn’t broken my jaw at the age of 19. Pride goes before the fall, and I was quite the prideful girl. I thought myself above Split Pea Soup. How wrong I was.
Split pea soup is a hearty soup that is made with dried split peas. Usually ham or bacon is added to it. I added bacon to this instant pot split pea soup recipe to mimic the canned version of Andersens Pea Soup, the first one I tried — and loved. It is a smoky, comforting soup. And did I mention delicious?
Why Make This
It’s nutritious. This instant pot split pea soup is a great way to get a good intake of fiber – about 20 grams of fiber for every cup. And, of course, it can be a great way to get more vegetables into your diet.
It’s delicious. In my freezer book, you’ll find a very traditional, thin Split Pea Soup. Today, I’m sharing a chunkier version. I like them both tremendously. You’ll have to tell me which you love more.
It’s easy! Over the years, I’ve prepared Split Pea Soup on the stove, in the crock pot, and now in the Instant Pot. I’ll confess, pressure cooking is slowly becoming one of my favorite cooking methods. Have you tried my Broccoli Cheese Soup yet?
It’s a good soft food. It may not be gorgeous, but it saved my life. Okay, it didn’t save my life, but it did save me from putting pizza slices in the blender as my doctor said I might be tempted to do when I broke my jaw in college.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make Split Pea Soup with Bacon:
bacon – I like to use turkey bacon as pictured, but you can also use regular bacon, vegan bacon, or even chopped ham. Remember you can freeze bacon if you have extra. It’s great to use in Creamy Chicken and Bacon Pasta.
veggies – Onion, carrots, celery, and garlic are traditional aromatics to add to split pea soup.
split peas – Just sort and rinse a pound dried split peas. You don’t need to presoak them so this soup comes together question.
water – You only need water for this recipe, but if you want to boost the flavor and nutritional content, you can use chicken broth or chicken stock, or a vegan equivalent.
seasonings – I like to use Homemade Seasoned Salt as well as salt and freshly ground black pepper. Feel free to adjust the seasonings to suit your preferences. Smoked paprika is nice, as well as Jamie’s Spice Mix.
bay leaf – Bay leaves have an amazing way of seasoning soup recipes. Try not to omit this if you can.
Variations
There are lots of different ways you can make split pea soup. Try one of these easy variations:
Split Pea Soup with Ham – Omit the bacon and add a ham bone or ham hock to the pot. Once simmered, remove ham bone and stir in bits of ham or leftover ham from a meal.
Split Pea Soup with Pork – Stir in leftover pulled pork, finely chopped at the end of the cooking time.
Vegan Split Pea Soup – omit the bacon or use a plant-based product instead. Using water, the soup will be naturally vegan. It’s already naturally gluten-free.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s how to make Split Pea Soup with Bacon:
- In the pressure cooker on sauté or in a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp. Drain the bacon bits on paper toweling and set aside.
- If you’re using turkey or a plant-based bacon, you may need to add some oil to the pan.
- In the hot drippings in the pot, cook the onions, carrot, and celery until the onion is clear, about ten minutes. Add the garlic and cook another minute more, scraping up the fond, or brown bits.
For slow cooker split pea soup or stovetop cooking:
- If you’re using a slow cooker or large pot, you’ll need to transfer the vegetables to that vessel.
- If you’re using a slow cooker, cook on low for 6 hours. If using a stock pot on the stove, simmer the soup, covered for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
For Instant Pot split pea soup:
- If using the Instant Pot, add the peas, stock, water, bay leaf, and spice mix.
- Secure the lid of the Instant Pot, set it to the manual setting for 20 minutes. Once the setting is complete, allow for a 10-minute natural release before releasing the pressure.
To finish the soup:
When the soup is done, adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper. Add more water if needed to reach the consistency you prefer. If you like, use an immersion blender to smooth the soup to your preferred texture. Serve with reserved bacon bits.
Note: for those needing to avoid solid foods, blend the soup until smooth, including the bacon bits.
FAQs
You don’t need to soak them, which would be done overnight. But I do recommend that you sort and rinse them. Split peas can contain dirt, stones, or pea pod fragments. So sort through the dried split peas, and then give them a rinse in a strainer.
Yellow split peas do have a bit of a milder flavor and are a bit sweeter than green split peas. The two peas have similar cooking times, nutritional content, and similar flavors.
This is a great soup to make to freeze. Once the soup is complete, divide it into meal prep portions, label, and chill in the fridge until completely cold. Then store in the freezer for up to 6 weeks.
More Great Soup Recipes
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Split Pea Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 slices bacon chopped
- 2 onion chopped for 1 ½ cups
- 3 carrots chopped for 1 cup
- 3 rib celery chopped for 1 cup
- 1 clove garlic chopped
- 1 lb split peas sorted and rinsed
- 4 to 6 cups water or chicken stock or vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon Homemade Seasoned Salt
- 1 bay leaf
- salt
- black pepper
Instructions
- In the instant pot on sauté or in a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp. Drain the bacon bits on paper toweling and set aside.4 slices bacon
- If using turkey or vegan bacon, add 1 to 2 tablespoons oil.
- In the hot drippings or oil in the pot, cook the onions, carrot, and celery until the onion is clear, about ten minutes. Add the garlic and cook another minute more, scraping up the fond or browned bits.2 onion, 3 carrots, 3 rib celery, 1 clove garlic
If using a slow cooker or stockpot:
- If you’re using a slow cooker or stockpot, you’ll need to transfer the vegetables to that vessel. Add the peas, water, bay leaf, and spice mix.1 lb split peas, 4 to 6 cups water, 1 tablespoon Homemade Seasoned Salt, 1 bay leaf
- If you’re using a slow cooker, cook on low for 6 hours. If using a stock pot on the stove, simmer the soup, covered for 2 hours.
If using the Instant Pot:
- If using the Instant Pot, add the peas, water, bay leaf, and spice mix.1 lb split peas, 4 to 6 cups water, 1 tablespoon Homemade Seasoned Salt, 1 bay leaf
- Secure the lid of the Instant Pot, set it to the manual setting for 20 minutes. Once the setting is complete, allow for a 10-minute natural release before releasing the pressure.
To finish the soup:
- When the soup is done, adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper. If you like, use an immersion blender to smooth the soup to your preferred texture. Serve with reserved bacon bits.salt, black pepper
Notes
- Split Pea Soup with Ham – omit the bacon and add a ham bone or ham hock to the pot. Once simmered, remove ham bone and stir in bits of ham or leftover ham from a meal.
- Split Pea Soup with Pork – Stir in leftover pulled pork, finely chopped at the end of the cooking time.
- Vegan Split Pea Soup – omit the bacon or use a plant-based product instead. Using water, the soup will be naturally vegan.
Nutrition
This post was originally published on February 3, 2018. It has been updated for content and clarity.
Julia
So yummy and comforting during a midwest winter!
Adrienne
Amazing flavor. I subbed ham steak for the bacon and it’s a hit!
Pam
I love split pea soup, I like to add some potatoes in to give it a bit more texture.
Jessica Fisher
Great idea, Pam!
Kate
Love this comfort soup! Easy and quick to make. Yum!
Jessica Fisher
So great to hear. Thanks for taking the time to leave a review!
Cathy D
Would you still sauté the veggies if using a stock pot? I don’t want it getting too mushy, so I’m thinking not? Two hours is long for veggies
Jessica Fisher
The veggies get very soft as is the texture of this kind of soup. If you prefer firmer veg, just add it about 30 minutes before serving.
Cathy D
Thank you l! After I posted this I thought this is a really soft soup lol. I’m home sick and blame my aching head for this! Thanks for responding so quickly!
Tiffany
This was definitely a delicious recipe. Mine came out extra thick but I added more broth at the end to thin it out a bit. After stirring in the broth there was no need to blend. I added cheese on the top of our bowls. Super delicious and resembled mashed potatoes.
Jessica Fisher
So glad you enjoyed it!
Kristy/Mama K MeYeR
Thanks Jessica, for updating your recipes with Instant Pot directions! Hunky dunky Hercules bought me one recently and I’m loving experimenting with it. It’s already earned itself a place next to the revered KitchenAid, which formerly has been the only appliance kept on the counter at all times. When I peeked into the freezer tonight wondering what was for dinner (hangs head in shame, I fell off the meal planning wagon last week when I went out of town) I found a ham bone, already chopped onion, and homemade ham broth, and then in the pantry I found split peas, so i knew where I wanted to go with dinner, but wasn’t sure how long to cook it in my instant pot, SonI looked up your site. Viola, dinner is served. Thanks Jessica!
Jessica Fisher
Yay! Hope you liked it!
Busy Mom in Alabama
You are right! The pressure cooker has been a game changer for my kitchen. I use it to cook in bulk, things like frozen chicken, green beans, dried beans, ground beef, boiled eggs. It helps keep my freezer stocked! It has definitely made my work in the kitchen easier!
I think you’re recipes are the best. They are always seasoned so well. I have a split pea soup recipe already, but I am going to try yours!
Here is an easy recipe that we love for the pressure cooker. It has some heat and the chicken is so tender! I make it for my mom lunch!
Adobo Chicken:
1 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
1/3 cup white vinegar
1 cup water
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 bay leaf
1 diced and seeded fresh jalapeño
6 boneless skinless chicken thighs.
Mix all ingredients and pour over chicken. Make sure your chicken is fully submerged (add more of the sauce above if needed). Cook for 12 minutes on high pressure. Serve with brown rice.
Jessica Fisher
Thanks for sharing. Sounds delicious!
Jessie
I’m excited that you’re experimenting with the instant pot! I have toyed with getting one, but didn’t want one more appliance and then no recipes to make. Your recipes are always a win, so let us know how it goes!
Jessica Fisher
We’ve been using it quite a bit for simple things: poached chicken, rice, hard cooked eggs, and beans. It’s a game changer for beans since you don’t need to presoak. My picky healthy person says he likes them better than canned.
Roberta
Mmmmm. Love split pea soup. I plan to have broccoli cheese soup this week (’cause Sprouts had broccoli on sale for .88/lb). Then when I was shopping I noticed they also had dried split peas for .89/lb. so I picked up a pound. I’ll do split pea later in the month. Yum!
Jessica Fisher
Both of those are favorites of mine. And I have all the stuff for both! Decisions, decisions!
Whitney
So excited to see an Instant Pot recipe for my favorite soup! I got an Instant Pot for Christmas and am still quite intimidated by it (and have found the slow cook setting NOT to work!! So I’ll be curious if you try it). So thanks for this recipe!!
Jessica Fisher
I have three slow cookers, so I’ve never messed with that setting. Now I know not to! 😉
Stephanie M.
Split pea soup is an awesome thing!!! I have not yet made it this winter but I have an appointment with my dietician in two weeks and the only question I have for her, believe it or not, is how much I can have and how many carbs it will cost me. Honestly, this question has been written on my calendar on the appointment date for three weeks now. And today you posted about it. LOL And when I find out, I am headed straight to the store to pick up a bag of peas. It’s just not winter without pea soup. 🙂 Looking at your “beautiful” picture, I can taste it now.
Jessica Fisher
haha! My beautiful picture. 😉
Brooke
How did you know I have a pound of these on my pantry shelf right now? I think it’s a sign that I should make this!
Jessica Fisher
It definitely is!
Raelynne
Going to add this to my menu this week. I have a couple of ham bones in the freezer that I will use to make broth first. Love that you are sharing recipes for the instant pot. I received an instant pot for a Christmas gift and have been having fun experimenting with it. I like to make tried and true recipes which I know I can always count on you for. Thanks for sharing.
Jessica Fisher
Let me know how it goes!
Alice E
That soup looks so tasty, I may have to make some very soon. I think I still have some split peas in the pantry even after the challenge. Bless you, I have seen lots of recipes calling for ham or ham bones, but bacon is much easier to stock and keep. This looks really good, and I have a weakness for split pea soup, since I discovered it as a much younger adult. My first time was using one of those instant packets, and of course even canned is better than that. But I still fell in love with it.
Can I guess at the amount of bacon? For something like this I usually just take the frozen bacon and my chef’s knife and slice strips off one end, then put it back in a freezer bag and return it to the freezer. We don’t use bacon much and that way I don’t risk it spoiling and having to throw it out.
Jessica Fisher
Yes, definitely guess at the bacon. It’s really just to give a little smoky flavor. If you wanted to omit it, you could and just use some oil for the saute part.