Split Pea Soup
An easy Canadian side built around ham, peas and carrots — roughly 90 minutes start to finish, and rated medium to make. Below: the ingredients split into pantry staples and a quick shopping list, a built-in serving scaler, and the method in 13 steps.
You'll mainly reach for pan and saucepan. At medium difficulty across 13 steps, it's manageable with a little attention.
What you'll need
Shopping list (6)
Pantry staples (you likely have these)
🔁 Unit converter
How to make it
- Put the gammon in a very large pan with 2 litres water and bring to the boil.
- Remove from the heat and drain off the water – this helps to get rid of some of the saltiness.
- Recover with 2 litres cold water and bring to the boil again.
- Put everything but the frozen peas into the pan and bring to the boil.
- Reduce to a simmer and cook for 1½-2½ hrs, topping up the water as and when you need to, to a similar level it started at.
- As the ham cooks and softens, you can halve it if you want, so it is all submerged under the liquid.
- When the ham is tender enough to pull into shreds, it is ready.
- Lift out the ham, peel off and discard the skin.
- While it is still hot (wear a clean pair of rubber gloves), shred the meat.
- Remove bay from the soup and stir in the frozen peas.
- Simmer for 1 min, then blend until smooth.
- Add a splash of water if too thick, and return to the pan to heat through if it has cooled, or if you are making ahead.
- When you are ready to serve, mix the hot soup with most of the ham – gently reheat if made ahead. Serve in bowls with the remaining ham scattered on top, and eat with crusty bread and butter.
You'll use: Pan · Saucepan · Blender
Watch how it's made
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What to serve with Split Pea Soup
- Poutine Miscellaneous
- Canadian Butter Tarts Dessert
- Nanaimo Bars Dessert
- Tourtiere Pork
Tips & common questions
How long does Split Pea Soup take to make?
About 90 minutes from start to finish — an estimate based on the 13 steps and 8 ingredients. Times vary with your kitchen and how much prep you do ahead.
Can I scale this recipe up or down?
Yes — use the servings control above the ingredients and every quantity rescales automatically (fractions included). Cooking times stay roughly the same; very large batches may need a little longer.
How should I store leftovers?
Cool leftovers quickly, refrigerate in an airtight container, and eat within 3 days. Reheat until piping hot throughout.
Related recipes
Recipe data for Split Pea Soup via TheMealDB (open database). ▶ Video. Original source. Consomee adds the scaler, ingredient tools, timing and structure — how we source recipes.