As someone who has been developing and testing Instant Pot recipes for years, I can tell you this Instant Pot Split Pea Soup is one of the best ways to use up leftover ham! The pressure cooking method creates the same rich, slow-simmered flavor you’d expect from soup that’s been on the stove all day, only in a fraction of the time. With simple, wholesome ingredients and step-by-step instructions, it’s an easy, reliable recipe you’ll turn to again and again.
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Soups have become my favorite thing to make in the Instant Pot! I love the long, slow cooked flavor the Instant Pot give soups, but it takes a portion of the time! Not to mention, most of the soups are chop and drop, set it and forget it!
- Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana
- Instant Pot Lasagna Soup
- Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Instant Pot Minestrone Soup
- Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup
- Ham and Potato Soup in the Instant Pot
My grandma used to make split pea soup all the time, and then my mom started making it. That's because it's so easy and it's a great way to get the kids to eat their peas. Puree them up and no one will ever know!
This soup isn't fancy, but its comforting and a family favorite recipe! I hope your family will love it as well!
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Split Pea Soup in an Instant Pot
- Ingredients You'll Need for Split Pea Soup in an Instant Pot
- What Are Split Peas?
- How to Make Instant Pot Split Pea Soup
- Split Pea Soup Variations
- Serving Suggestions for Split Pea Soup
- How to Store Split Pea Soup in an Instant Pot
- Instant Pot Split Pea Soup FAQs
- Other Recipes To Try!
- 📖 Recipe
Why You'll Love This Split Pea Soup in an Instant Pot
You’re going to love Instant Pot Split Pea Soup because it’s cozy, filling, and so simple to make! The Instant Pot does all the heavy lifting, so you get that slow-simmered flavor without waiting all day. The split peas turn creamy and smooth, while the ham and veggies give it that hearty, comforting taste that hits the spot. It’s the kind of soup that makes chilly nights better and the leftovers are even tastier the next day!
Ingredients You'll Need for Split Pea Soup in an Instant Pot
- Split Peas- one bag, or 16 ounces of dried split peas.
- Water- For more flavor, you can use chicken broth or vegetable broth.
- Ham hock- frozen or defrosted.
- Vegetables- Onion, celery, and carrots to add flavor to the soup.
- Spices- Turmeric adds warm flavor to the soup, and ground garlic adds a garlicky punch without being overpowering.
What Are Split Peas?
Split peas are legumes, and similar to lentils. They are actually field peas and then are dried. They are not the same as a Spring pea, which are harvested specifically for eating raw or gently cooked.
Because they are split in half and the husks removed, it eliminates the need to soak the pea and speeds up the cooking process.
Recommended Equipment
- Instant Pot- at least a 6 quart Instant Pot. Anything less and the soup won't fit, you'll have to half the recipe.
- Cutting Board
- Knives
- Vegetable Peeler
- Immersion Blender
How to Make Instant Pot Split Pea Soup
Clean and chop the celery, onions, and carrots into small pieces. In a mesh strainer, wash the split peas. This will get rid of any dust or dirt that was left in the peas from processing. Place the carrots, ham hock, spices, and water to the Instant Pot.
Seal the Instant Pot and cook on "High" pressure for 20 minutes. Allow the Instant Pot to naturally release for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, release any remaining pressure. Remove the ham hock from the Instant Pot and pick all the meat off the bone. Set that aside. Puree the soup with an immersion blender until you reach the consistency that you are looking for. Add the ham back into the Instant Pot and serve immediately.
How to Make Split Pea Soup on the Stovetop
To make this on the stovetop, add all the ingredients to a large Dutch oven. Allow the soup to simmer for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally. When the ham is falling off the bone, remove the ham hock from the soup and pick off the ham from the bone. Set it aside. With an immersion blender, blend the soup to the consistency you desire. Add the ham back to the soup and serve immediately.
How to Make Split Pea Soup in the Crock Pot
Add all the ingredients to the slow cooker. Cook the soup on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours. After the cooking time, take the ham hock out of the soup and pick off any remaining ham. Set that aside. Using an immersion blender, blend the soup to the consistency that you would like. Add the picked ham back to the soup and serve immediately.
Split Pea Soup Variations
- To make this soup vegetarian, take out the ham bone.
- If you don't like ham, a smoked turkey bone would work just the same.
- To add even more flavor, use low sodium chicken broth instead of water.
- Reduce the amount of water or chicken broth if you want a thicker soup.
Serving Suggestions for Split Pea Soup
Serve this soup with homemade sourdough bread or homemade sourdough rolls
How to Store Split Pea Soup in an Instant Pot
nce your Instant Pot split pea soup cools down, transfer it into airtight containers. Pop it in the fridge, and it’ll stay fresh for about 4–5 days. If you made a big batch, you can freeze portions in freezer-safe bags or containers for up to 3 months. Just thaw it in the fridge overnight and warm it up on the stove or in the microwave when you’re ready to eat!
Instant Pot Split Pea Soup FAQs
Yes! All beans and peas are gluten free, so this recipe is gluten free. It is also dairy free since we are not adding any type of dairy to the recipe.
Yes! This recipe freezes beautifully! Make sure to cool the soup completely and then add it to air tight containers. Mark on the containers the date that you are putting it in the freezer. Freeze for up to 4 months.
You can make this soup on a Sunday and eat it all week long. As long as it is in an air tight container, it will last for up to 5 days. To reheat, simply add the amount of soup you would like into a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 2 minutes. You can also ad the soup to a small pot and gently reheat it on the stove.
I had a ham that I made not long ago, and I froze the bone from the middle of the ham. That's the ham hock. You'll use that bone to flavor the soup.
If you don't have the bone, any cooked ham will work. You can find ham steaks in the grocery store. Chop those up and add them right to the Instant Pot.
You don't want to use cold cut ham or raw pork. Cold cut ham will fall apart under the pressure of the Instant Pot, and raw pork won't get that same smoky flavor that a ham hock will give you.
Other Recipes To Try!
Did you love this Instant Pot Split Pea Soup? I'd so appreciate it if you would give this recipe a 5-star review! That will help other hungry readers find my recipes!
And don't forget to tag me on Instagram or Facebook and share this recipe on Pinterest! Thanks for sharing this journey with me and enjoy these delicious recipes!
- Sourdough Stuffing with Sausage and Mushrooms
- Pasta Carbonara with Leftover Turkey
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce
- Sweet and Spicy Cranberry Dip
- Sourdough Rolls
- Sourdough Bread
- Italian Stuffed Mushrooms
📖 Recipe
Split Pea Soup in an Instant Pot
Equipment
- Immersion Blender
Ingredients
- 16 Ounces Dried Green Split Peas
- 1 cup Chopped Carrots 2 large carrots
- 1 cup Chopped Onion 1 large onion
- 1 cup Chopped Celery 3 celery ribs
- 1 Ham Hock frozen or defrosted
- ½ teaspoon Turmeric
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 8 cups Water Or Chicken Broth
Instructions
- Clean and chop the carrots, onions, and celery. Add them to the Instant Pot.
- In a mesh strainer, rinse the split peas to remove any grit than may still be in the split peas.
- Add the ham hock, split peas, water, and spices to the Instant Pot.
- Seal the Instant Pot and pressure cook on "High" for 20 minutes.
- Allow the Instant Pot to naturally release for 15 minutes.
- Take the ham hock out of the soup and pick any of the leftover meat from the bone. Set that aside.
- With an immersion blender, blend the soup until it reaches your desired consistency. Add the ham back to the soup and season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.
Notes
- If you are using chicken broth, make sure it is low sodium. The ham can be very salty, and you do not want to overpower the soup with salt.
- This soup is very freezer friendly. Make a batch and freeze it to have for dinner another night!
Kim says
This reminds me of the soup my mom made when I was a kid, but so much easier! Delicious!
Jennifer says
Split pea soup is a favorite of mine and your recipe works like a dream! Loved it!
Mandy Applegate says
This split pea soup is perfect for a cold winter day!
Linda says
This soup is so flavorful and I can't believe it's so easy to make
Donna says
This came together so quickly and with so much flavor. Will absolutely be my go-to when we have leftover ham from now on!
Sarah says
Thank you for this Instant Pot version. So much quicker and it had amazing flavor!
Cindy says
I love split pea soup and this recipe did not dissapoint!
Anne says
I've been making soup in the Instant Pot every week lately! This one is yummy.
Sherry Ronning says
In this cold weather season, I love to make split pea soup. Thanks for the Instant Pot version. It was super tasty.