Our hearty and flavorful Instant Pot split pea soup with ham is loaded with flavor and comes together in just minutes using your pressure cooker. This recipe is the epitome of comfort food. It’s creamy, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make.
The Ingredients You’ll Need
Before diving into the cooking process, gather all your ingredients to ensure a smooth and enjoyable cooking experience. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Butter: You’ll use this to sauté the aromatics and add a rich, buttery flavor to the soup.
- Onion: Diced onions are a key ingredient, adding depth and sweetness to the base of the soup.
- Garlic: A couple of cloves of finely chopped garlic provide a wonderful aroma and flavor.
- Pepper: Just a touch of black pepper adds a subtle kick to the soup.
- Bay Leaf: This aromatic leaf will infuse your soup with a lovely earthy flavor.
- Ham: Diced ham adds heartiness and a savory punch to the soup.
- Carrots and Celery: These classic soup vegetables provide both color and texture.
- Dried Split Peas: The star of the show, sorted, rinsed, and drained, these green peas are packed with nutrition and flavor.
- Chicken Broth: The liquid gold that brings the entire soup together with its savory richness.
How to Make Instant Pot Split Pea Soup
Begin by selecting the “Saute” function on your Instant Pot and pressing start. This will heat up the inner pot.
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Add the 3 tablespoons of butter, diced onions, finely chopped garlic, and ¼ teaspoon of pepper into the Instant Pot.
Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until the onions become soft and translucent. Be sure to stir frequently to prevent any burning.
Once the aromatics are soft and fragrant, select “Cancel” on your Instant Pot to stop the sautéing process.
Adding the Heart of the Soup: Split Peas and Ham
Now that your aromatics are ready, add the bay leaf, diced ham, carrots, celery, and dried split peas into the Instant Pot.
Pour in the 6 cups of chicken broth, ensuring all the ingredients are well blended. This step is crucial for infusing all the flavors together.
Pressure Cooking Perfection
With all your ingredients in the Instant Pot, it’s time to seal the deal. Close the Instant Pot lid, making sure the steam valve is set to “Seal.”
Select the “Soup” function and adjust the cooking time to 15 minutes. Now, let your Instant Pot work its magic as it cooks your Instant Pot split pea soup to perfection.
Natural Release and Final Touches
Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow the Instant Pot to perform a natural release for 10 minutes. This gradual release of pressure helps the flavors meld together naturally.
After the 10-minute natural release, it’s time to carefully release any remaining pressure by turning the steam release valve. Be cautious, as the steam can be hot.
Open the Instant Pot lid, remove the bay leaf, and give your soup a final stir to ensure all the flavors are evenly distributed.
Tips for Soup-Making Success
- Rinse Your Split Peas: Before using dried split peas, take a moment to sort, rinse, and drain them. This simple step removes any impurities and ensures a clean and delicious soup.
- Get Creative with Additions: While this recipe is fantastic as is, don’t hesitate to get creative. Consider adding extra veggies like potatoes or experimenting with different seasonings to suit your palate.
- Opt for Homemade Broth: If you have homemade chicken or vegetable broth on hand, it can elevate the flavor of your soup. However, store-bought broth works just as well.
- Enhance Flavor with Ham Hock: For a richer and smokier flavor, you can include a ham hock or ham bone in your soup. Add it when you put in the bay leaf and remove it before serving.
- Achieve a Creamier Consistency: If you prefer a creamier texture, use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup after cooking. This creates a smoother consistency while maintaining some hearty chunks.
Serving and Storing Your Instant Pot Split Pea Soup
Now that your Instant Pot Split Pea Soup is ready, it’s time to savor the fruits of your labor. Serve it piping hot, perhaps with a side of crusty bread or a dollop of sour cream for that extra touch of indulgence.
As for leftovers, transfer any remaining soup into airtight containers and refrigerate them. Your delicious Split Pea Soup can be enjoyed for up to 3-4 days. If you have more than you can consume in that time frame, feel free to freeze individual portions for future quick and delicious meals.
What Are Split Peas?
This is a question that I was asking myself before I tried them for the first time a few months ago.
Split peas are field peas, and they are grown specifically for drying. The peas are hulled and then split on their natural seam, which helps them cook faster. You don’t need to soak split peas to achieve a quick and creamy texture.
I also love split peas because you can store them in an airtight container for up to a year in your pantry.
Split peas are a wonderfully nutritious food. They are high in protein and fiber and low in fat.
Just look at that lovely green color! The onion, carrots, celery, and ham add so much flavor to my Instant Pot split pea soup.
This is a fabulous meal for busy weeknights! I hope you enjoy it!
Our Best Pressure Cooker Recipes
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Instant Pot Split Pea Soup with Ham
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 large onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 to 3 cups diced ham
- 3 carrots diced
- 2 stalks celery diced
- 1 lb. dried split peas sorted, rinsed and drained
- 6 cups chicken broth
Instructions
- Select the sauté function and press start. When heated add the butter, onion, pepper and the garlic. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until onions are softened, stirring often to prevent burning. Select the stop function.
- Add the bay leaf, ham, carrots, celery and the split peas, stir. Cover with the chicken broth and stir again until well blended.
- Put on the lid, set the steam valve to seal. Select the soup function and adjust the time to 15 minutes. Allow to naturally release for 10 minutes. Carefully release any remaining pressure with the steam release valve. Remove the lid, stir and remove the bay leaf.
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Where to next?
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