Creamy Split Pea Soup

Total Time

Prep: 10 min. Cook: 1 hour

Makes

12 servings (3 quarts)

Updated: Jun. 30, 2023
A friend gave me this recipe 25 years ago. At the time, she was in her 60s and working as a cook on a riverboat barge.—Sherry Smith, Salem, Missouri

Ingredients

  • 1/2 pound sliced bacon, diced
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 ribs celery, sliced
  • 1 pound dried green split peas
  • 2 quarts water
  • 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 2 cups diced fully cooked ham
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream

Directions

  1. In a Dutch oven or soup kettle, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, remove bacon to paper towels; drain, reserving drippings. Add onion and celery to drippings. Saute until vegetables are tender; drain. Add the peas, water, potatoes, ham, salt, bay leaf and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 45 minutes or until peas are very tender, stirring occasionally. Discard bay leaf.
  2. Cool slightly. Process in small batches in a blender until smooth. Return to Dutch oven; stir in cream. Heat through (do not boil). Garnish with reserved bacon.

Nutrition Facts

1 each: 336 calories, 16g fat (8g saturated fat), 48mg cholesterol, 832mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 11g fiber), 17g protein.