Wisconsin Split Pea Soup

Name: Wisconsin Split Pea Soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h 10 min
Yield: 12 servings (3 quarts).
Ingredients: 1 pound dried green split peas; 2-1/2 quarts water; 1 meaty ham bone or 2 smoked ham hocks; 1-1/2 cups chopped onion; 1 cup each diced celery, carrots and potatoes; 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt; 1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram; Salt to taste

Field peas that have been dried (split peas) have been a staple soup ingredient for country cooks for years. One super recipe is Wisconsin Split Pea Soup. The recipe was sent in by field editor Linda Rock (left) of Stratford. "Marjoram, garlic, potatoes and carrots blend nicely with peas in this hearty and economical soup," Linda confirms. "I also plant peas in my garden each year," she says. "They grow so well here that I pick enough to freeze and enjoy all winter."

Ingredients

1 pound dried green split peas
2-1/2 quarts water
1 meaty ham bone or 2 smoked ham hocks
1-1/2 cups chopped onion
1 cup each diced celery, carrots and potatoes
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram
Salt to taste

Directions

In a Dutch oven, add the peas, water and ham bone; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
Stir in the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
Set aside ham bone until cool enough to handle. Remove meat from bone; discard bone. Cut ham into bite-size pieces. Return to the soup and heat through.

Originally published as Wisconsin Split Pea Soup in Taste of Home April/May 2001

Reviews

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Average Rating:

pattyntodd

Jan 23, 2016

We absolutely love this soup. Twice a year at Christmas & Easter Trader Joe's sells their spiral ham. I always buy extra to freeze. Always use the hambone for this soup. The person who gave a one star below, perhaps they used too much marjoram as it can taste like a lemony oregano.
milljr1965

Jan 4, 2016

It's a great recipe, but it can be much better if you add 1 lb of cooked and cubed ham to the soup, so it would be more chunky.It's a keeper! Just need a little bit of tweaking on this recipe.
BobbysChicagoBAbe

Sep 27, 2015

Sorry, but this was the WORST split pea soup recipe I ever had or made. Had a lemony flavor, and I don't know how, since nothing lemony was in it. After my husband said it had too much of something, I tasted it, even tried a bowl, but couldn't even finish the bowl. Dumped the rest in the toilet. No stars here. And we LOVE a good split pea soup! Only added a star because otherwise it wouldn't post.
kaylenn2172

Feb 14, 2015

Excellent! My spouse normally hates split pea soup but she loved this.
silverfox2951

Nov 15, 2014

I've been making this soup since I found it in Taste of Home! That's been over 13 years ago! You can make the recipe as written or change it up to your liking . Either way it's always delicious!! Thank you Linda Rock for submitting it!!
marylouise216

Oct 23, 2014

This is by far the best pea soup recipe ever!! I've made it without meat and it is equally delicious. Don't know if you have ever tried yellow split peas, but they take pea soup to a whole new level, I very seldom use the green anymore, they have a slightly sweeter taste and are oh so smooth. I have also made this with smoked sausage, absolutely delicious............smokiness all through the soup. If you need to thicken your soup (once the soup is done) cook on high speed from 10 - 15 minutes, stirring constantly or the soup will stick and burn, and can't have that..................BON APPETITE!!
dmonte

Oct 12, 2014

I always use a potato masher to mash up the peas to make a thicker soup.I also use 1 quart vegetable broth along with water for a richer tasting soup. I use chopped ham instead of ham hocks. It is a good basic recipe that you can change and season to your taste.
BevL64

Feb 22, 2014

I have made this soup many times, and it is very good!!
newrecipejunkie

Jan 13, 2014

This was delicious! Like other reviewers, I used chicken broth instead of water plus, I added about a cup or so of additional diced ham. Also, I added the veggies right at the beginning of the cooking which I think thickened the soup beautifully. Because of the ham, I used garlic powder and no other salt at all. I'm already planning to make this again with our Easter ham bone. PS: an idea for parents and grandparents: You could try calling this "Dr. Seuss Soup". (You know, Green Eggs and Ham. Well this is Green Soup and Ham) Probably won't work, but it's worth a try!
skywaitress

Apr 11, 2013

I also used chicken broth in addition to the water. I added more veggies and instant potatoes to thicken. I also add a bay leaf while simmering.