This classic split pea soup recipe, inspired by the home-style cooking of the Pioneer Woman, is guaranteed to become a family favorite. Made with a meaty ham bone, tender vegetables, and simple seasonings, this soup delivers a rich and satisfying flavor that’s perfect for a cozy meal. Whether you prefer to cook it on the stovetop, in an Instant Pot, or a slow cooker, this recipe is adaptable and easy to follow.
Pot of Pioneer Woman Split Pea Soup with ladle and thyme.
This recipe takes inspiration from traditional, comforting dishes, reminiscent of the hearty meals you might find on the Pioneer Woman’s ranch. It’s a no-fuss, deeply flavorful soup that’s perfect for using up a leftover ham bone and feeding a crowd. Don’t just take our word for it; home cooks rave about this recipe’s incredible taste and ease. It’s a comforting, award-worthy soup, simplified for your kitchen.
Crafting Your Pioneer Woman Inspired Split Pea Soup
For detailed ingredient measurements and complete instructions, including stovetop, Instant Pot, and slow cooker methods, please refer to the recipe card at the end of this post.
Step 1: Building the Flavor Base
In a large Dutch oven or soup pot (at least 4.5 quarts), start building the foundation of your soup. Add your meaty ham bone, rinsed split peas, diced onions, butter, olive oil, onion powder, minced garlic, bay leaves, thyme sprigs, and water.
Adding ham bone and aromatics to pot for Pioneer Woman split pea soup.
Step 2: Simmering to Perfection
Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Partially cover the pot and let it simmer for approximately 2.5 hours, or until the soup reaches your desired thickness. Remember that cooking time may need to be extended at higher altitudes. About 40 minutes before you plan to serve, add the diced potatoes and carrots to the pot.
Simmering Pioneer Woman split pea soup with ham bone and vegetables.
Step 3: Finishing Touches
Once the potatoes and carrots are tender when pierced with a fork, remove the pot from the heat. Discard the bay leaves and thyme stems. Take out the ham bone and shred or cut about 2 cups of ham from it. Return the shredded ham to the soup and stir to combine. Your Pioneer Woman inspired split pea soup is now ready to serve!
Adding shredded ham to Pioneer Woman split pea soup in Dutch oven.
Do You Need to Soak Your Split Peas? – Pioneer Woman Style
Just like the Pioneer Woman keeps things straightforward, there’s no need to soak the split peas for this recipe. Split peas are already halved, which means they cook relatively quickly. Soaking might slightly reduce cooking time, but it’s an unnecessary step for this easy and delicious soup.
The Magic of the Ham Bone in Pioneer Woman Pea Soup
A meaty, uncleaned ham bone is the secret ingredient that infuses this soup with an incredibly rich and savory depth of flavor, truly embodying the hearty spirit of Pioneer Woman recipes.
- Smaller Ham Bone or Substitute?: If your ham bone is on the smaller side or you’re using a substitute, don’t hesitate to add up to 4 chicken bouillon cubes to enhance the broth’s flavor. This ensures that robust, comforting taste that’s characteristic of Pioneer Woman’s cooking.
- Not Much Meat on the Bone?: For a meatier soup, add a diced ham steak (about 8 oz, yielding approximately 1 ¼ cups diced ham) at the beginning of the cooking process. This will boost the ham content and contribute to a heartier soup, perfect for a satisfying family meal.
Pioneer Woman Approved Ham Bone Alternatives
If you don’t have a ham bone, or want to explore other options, here are some Pioneer Woman-esque substitutes that will still deliver great flavor:
- Bone-in Picnic Shoulder or Smoked Ham Shank: These are excellent choices for a rich, smoky flavor similar to a ham bone.
- Ham Hock: A ham hock is another fantastic option, providing deep, savory notes to your soup.
- Salted Pork and/or Smoked Bacon: For a different but equally delicious flavor profile, consider using chopped salted pork and/or smoked bacon. These will add a smoky and salty depth that complements the split peas beautifully.
Pioneer Woman Pro Tips for Perfect Pea Soup
- No Need to Sauté Veggies First: In true Pioneer Woman style, this recipe simplifies steps. Unlike many soups, there’s no need to soften the vegetables in butter or oil beforehand. They cook perfectly in the flavorful broth, absorbing the richness from the ham bone.
- Simmer for Deeper Flavor and Thickness: The longer you simmer this split pea soup, the thicker and more flavorful it becomes, just like a slow-cooked, homestyle meal. If you’re simmering for an extended period, ensure the heat is low to prevent excessive liquid reduction.
- Altitude Adjustment: If you’re cooking at a higher altitude, remember that it will require a longer cooking time for the peas and vegetables to become tender. Patience is key to achieving that perfect Pioneer Woman level of doneness.
More Comforting Recipes to Try After Your Pioneer Woman Pea Soup
Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup, a light and refreshing soup. Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
Pioneer Woman Style Storage Tips
- Refrigerating: Store leftover split pea soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It’s perfect for easy lunches or another dinner.
- Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the soup for up to 3 months. This soup freezes exceptionally well. For best results, ensure the potatoes and carrots are cooked just until fork tender to prevent them from becoming too mushy upon thawing.
Bowl of Pioneer Woman split pea soup with spoon.
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Pioneer Woman Pea Soup Recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
Yields: 6 servings
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This Pioneer Woman inspired Split Pea Soup is a hearty and flavorful dish, featuring a delicious ham bone, tender potatoes, and carrots, all simmered in a thick and satisfying broth.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. dry split peas (2 cups)
- 1 meaty ham bone (see notes for substitutions)
- 2 cups cooked ham, diced (from ham bone or pre-cooked)
- 2 cups yellow onions, diced
- 1 ½ tablespoons onion powder
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 8 cups water
- 2 cups carrots, diced
- 2 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced
No soaking required for split peas.
Equipment
- Large soup pot or Dutch oven
- Instant Pot (optional)
- Slow Cooker (optional)
Instructions
Stovetop Method
- Combine split peas, ham bone, onions, onion powder, butter, olive oil, garlic, bay leaves, and thyme in a large soup pot.
- Add water and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, partially covered.
- Simmer for 2.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until desired thickness is reached. (Simmer time may be longer at high altitudes).
- Add carrots and potatoes about 40 minutes before serving.
- Cook until vegetables are fork-tender. Remove ham bone, bay leaves, and thyme stems. Shred 2 cups of ham from the bone and return to the soup. Serve hot.
Instant Pot Method
- Rinse split peas and place all ingredients into a 6+ quart Instant Pot. Ensure pot is no more than 2/3 full.
- Secure lid and cook on high pressure for 25 minutes.
- Allow a 10-15 minute natural pressure release, then quick release remaining pressure.
- Remove ham bone, bay leaves, and thyme stems. Dice 2 cups of ham from the bone and return to the soup. Serve.
Slow Cooker Method
- Rinse split peas and place all ingredients in a 5-quart or larger slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 8+ hours or high for 6+ hours, until peas are tender and soup reaches desired thickness.
- Remove ham bone, bay leaves, and thyme stems. Dice 2 cups of ham from the bone and return to the soup. Serve.
Recipe Notes
Choosing Your Ham Bone:
- A meaty, uncleaned ham bone provides the best flavor.
- Ham Bone Substitutes: If using a small ham bone or substitute, add up to 4 chicken bouillon cubes for enhanced flavor.
- Adding More Ham: For a meatier soup, add an 8oz diced ham steak at the beginning of cooking.
Ham Bone Substitute Options:
- Bone-in Picnic Shoulder or smoked ham shank
- Ham hock
- Chopped salted pork and/or smoked bacon
Nutritional information is an estimate per serving (6 servings per recipe).
Nutrition Information
Calories: 364kcal, Carbohydrates: 40g, Protein: 19g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 8g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 34mg, Sodium: 623mg, Potassium: 943mg, Fiber: 10g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 7211IU, Vitamin C: 12mg, Calcium: 70mg, Iron: 2mg
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Course: Soup
Cuisine: American
Author: Stephanie
Image of split pea soup ingredients and finished soup.
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By Stephanie, posted April 18, 2022
