I really love Split Pea Soup with Ham and grew up eating it. My Mom always made it when we had leftover ham after the holidays and I always looked forward to a warm, comforting bowl of it.
I do have a funny story about split pea soup though– after I gave birth to Winnie, I got home and my sweet Mother-In-Law asked me what I wanted to eat because she wanted to cook for me. Split pea soup was exactly what I wanted. She made us the BIGGEST pot of it and I was so happy. It was so good that I ate it for multiple days in a row. Meanwhile, sweet newborn baby Winnie tummy was hurting and she was so gassy and having a hard time pooping so I took her into the pediatrician and after many questions and looking at her– we decided it was because I was eating *way too much* split pea soup. So note to all you breastfeeding moms— don’t eat too much of anything. It upsets your baby’s tummy!
I’ve taken the split pea soup I grew up eating and added my own little touches to it. This Split Pea Soup with Ham is one of my all-time favorite comforting bowls of soup and I just know you’ll love it!
For more recipes like this, check out my Soups + Stews Recipe Round Up!
Split Pea Soup with Ham

Ingredients
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup yellow onion, diced (or 1/2 medium onion)
- 3/4 cup carrot, diced (or 1 large carrot)
- 3/4 cup celery, diced (or 2 large stalks)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 lb split green peas, dried and rinsed, until the water runs clear
- 2 cups ham, diced *see notes
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 4 cups water
- 2 bay leaves
- 5 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 tsp cajun seasoning
- 1 lb yellow potatoes, peeled and diced into 1/4 inch cubes
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, parsley or thyme for garnish
Instructions
- Heat a large pot over medium heat with the olive oil. Add the onion, carrot, celery and garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until tender, about 4 minutes.
- Add the split peas and ham. Stir to combine. Pour the chicken broth, water, bay leaves, thyme and cajun seasoning. Bring soup to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover, for 30 minutes.
- Add the potatoes. Simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes.
- Remove the bay leaves and thyme stems. Taste and adjust salt and pepper, as desired. Finish with fresh lemon juice and dill, for garnish. Serve and enjoy!
22 Comments
Jenny
January 3, 2023 at 12:24 pmThink I could use leftover pulled pork instead of ham for this recipe?
Alex
January 3, 2023 at 1:34 pmYes, I think that would be a great swap!
Deanna
December 28, 2022 at 11:09 pmMaking this split pea soup now. I followed directions, but it’s nowhere near done after simmering for 50 minutes. Not sure why.
Patricia
April 18, 2022 at 8:13 pmA little too salty, otherwise very good! Next time I make it, I’ll add the salt after cooking, if necessary at all. Ham is a very salty to begin with.
Alex
April 18, 2022 at 9:30 pmYes, if your ham is already pretty salted you will want to use less or salt at the end as mentioned. Hope you enjoy!
Mari
December 12, 2021 at 11:04 pmI was looking for a way to make use of a leftover ham bone and found that the option is pretty much split pea soup. I didn’t think I would like it and made it to feel resourceful by using the ham bone. Thorns out I love this recipe. It’s not pretty but no one’s cares because it is so good.
Deanna
December 29, 2022 at 2:23 pmThe flavor of this soup was wonderful! I found it needed to cook longer to soften the split peas, but was delicious. My husband loved it too.
Alex
December 29, 2022 at 10:37 pmGlad you loved it!
Katey Wilson
September 15, 2021 at 12:28 pmWhen I first told my family I was making pea soup they all thought I was crazy. Every single person devoured this soup and now even crave it. It’s a family favorite!
Mari Schaefer
February 24, 2021 at 7:16 pmI LOVE this soup and have made it 3 times since Christmas! I’m on a soup kick and have used 5 of your recipes so far – delicious! Do you have the calorie count for a serving?
Christina B
February 15, 2021 at 3:39 pmLove love love this recipe!! Always comes out perfectly & hubby always requests it!! Thank you!
Christina
January 10, 2021 at 12:02 amThis recipe came out perfectly!! Thank you so much! 🥰
Asriel Krupp
December 30, 2020 at 6:53 pmHi Alex,
Doing a Jan Whole30 to kick off 2021! What kind of ham is whole30 compliant?
Thanks!
Alex
December 30, 2020 at 8:57 pmPederson Farm’s has a compliant no-sugar added ham!
Asriel Krupp
January 9, 2022 at 11:34 pmJust made this again for another round of Whole30! It is one of my favorites!
Thank You!
Melissa
December 29, 2020 at 5:38 pmIs this Whole30? If not how can you modify it to be? Thanks! Xx
Denee Saleh
November 5, 2021 at 12:04 amHi. I went to the deli and got greenridge ham and had them slice it as think as possible so I could dice it and add to the soup. I’m on whole 30 right now and the greenridge farms has a whole 30 compliant ham. Hope this helps
Lise Riesner
December 29, 2020 at 1:29 amDoes this recipe freeze well?
Alex
December 29, 2020 at 4:22 pmit does!
Lisa Schmiedeke
October 31, 2020 at 9:04 pmI love this recipe
Alex
November 1, 2020 at 12:47 pmI love that you love it!! 🙂
Amanda Jackson
October 19, 2020 at 11:17 pmInstead of ham I cooked 1/2 lb bacon and used the drippings to saute the veggies, and added the bacon pieces into the dish when you added the ham. So good! It makes a ton and it was so satisfying, I don’t know what it is about Spring that makes me crave soup. Weird, I know!