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Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup

Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup
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This slow cooker split pea soup is a set it and forget it miracle. Toss in split peas, veggies, and broth, and a few hours later, you have a creamy, herby bowl of comfort without needing a blender.

Ingredients

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  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pound (about 2 cups) split peas, dry, rinsed
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 8 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 sprig fresh thyme
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Rinse split peas thoroughly under cold water in a fine-mesh strainer. Pat dry with a clean towel and set aside.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and saute for 4-5 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and saute for 30-45 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Transfer onion mixture to a 4-6 quart slow cooker. Add rinsed split peas, diced carrots, and diced celery. Pour in vegetable broth, then stir in soy sauce, salt, and pepper. Lay bay leaf and thyme sprig on top.
  4. Cover and cook on high for 4-6 hours or on low for 8-10 hours, stirring once or twice if possible. Soup is ready when split peas are completely tender and have broken down into a creamy consistency.
  5. During the final hour of cooking, taste and add more salt if needed.
  6. Remove and discard bay leaf and thyme stem. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh chopped parsley.

Notes

  • No need to pre-soak split peas. Unlike whole beans, split peas are already hulled and split, allowing them to cook faster and break down easily.
  • Sauteing onions and garlic first adds richer flavor but can be skipped for faster prep.
  • Soy sauce adds umami depth without tasting like soy sauce – don’t skip it!
  • Soup thickens significantly as it cools. Add ¼-½ cup broth or water when reheating.
  • Thyme leaves will fall off the stem during cooking, which is perfect.
  • For ham version: Add 1-2 cups diced cooked ham or a ham bone at the start. Reduce added salt since ham is naturally salty.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.benefitiany.com/slow-cooker-split-pea-soup/