Pea Soup Recipe: 3 Variations and Side Dish Ideas That You Will Love

This traditional pea soup recipe with ham creates a hearty meal that feeds the whole family. The smoky ham flavor mixes perfectly with the creamy peas to make a satisfying dish.

Ingredients:

- 2 cups dried split peas

- 1 ham bone or 2 cups diced ham

- 8 cups water

- 2 carrots, chopped

- 2 celery stalks, chopped

- 1 onion, diced

- 2 garlic cloves, minced

- 1 bay leaf

- Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Rinse the dried split peas in cold water until the water runs clear. Remove any stones or bad peas you find.

2. Put the ham bone or diced ham in a large pot with 8 cups of water. Bring the water to a boil over high heat.

3. Add the cleaned split peas to the pot. Lower the heat to medium and let it simmer for 30 minutes.

4. Add the chopped carrots, celery, onion, minced garlic, and bay leaf to the pot. Stir everything together well.

5. Cover the pot and let it simmer on low heat for 1 to 1.5 hours. Stir the soup every 20 minutes to prevent sticking.

6. Remove the ham bone if you used one. Take off any meat from the bone and put it back in the soup.

7. Remove the bay leaf before serving. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve the soup hot in bowls.

This chicken pea soup recipe combines tender chicken with creamy peas for a protein-rich meal. This version cooks faster than the ham version because chicken cooks more quickly than ham.

Ingredients:

- 2 cups dried split peas

- 1 pound chicken thighs, boneless and skinless

- 8 cups chicken broth

- 2 carrots, chopped

- 2 celery stalks, chopped

- 1 onion, diced

- 2 garlic cloves, minced

- 1 tablespoon olive oil

- 1 teaspoon dried oregano

- 1 bay leaf

- Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cut the chicken thighs into small bite-sized pieces. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.

2. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned on all sides.

3. Add the diced onion, carrots, celery, and garlic to the pot with the chicken. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring often.

4. Rinse the split peas and add them to the pot. Pour in the chicken broth and add the oregano and bay leaf.

5. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot partially.

6. Simmer the soup for 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring every 20 minutes. The peas should break down and make the soup thick.

7. Remove the bay leaf and taste the soup. Add more salt and pepper if needed. Serve the hot soup in bowls.

This plant-based pea soup recipe gives you all the flavor without any meat or dairy products. This healthy version is perfect for people who follow a vegan diet or want to eat more vegetables.

Ingredients:

- 2 cups dried split peas

- 6 cups vegetable broth

- 2 cups water

- 2 carrots, diced

- 2 celery stalks, diced

- 1 large onion, chopped

- 3 garlic cloves, minced

- 2 tablespoons olive oil

- 1 teaspoon dried thyme

- 1 bay leaf

- Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes until soft.

2. Add the diced carrots, celery, and minced garlic to the pot. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring often.

3. Rinse the split peas and add them to the pot with the vegetables. Stir everything together.

4. Pour in the vegetable broth and water. Add the dried thyme and bay leaf to the mixture.

5. Bring the soup to a boil over high heat. Then lower the heat to medium-low and cover the pot.

6. Let the soup simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Stir every 15 minutes to prevent the peas from sticking to the bottom.

7. Remove the bay leaf before serving. Taste the soup and add salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot with fresh bread.

A bowl of pea soup is delicious on its own, but adding a side dish can make the meal even better. Here are ten great side dish options to try with your soup:

- Garlic Bread: This classic side dish adds a crunchy texture that goes perfectly with smooth pea soup. The garlic flavor complements the soup without being too strong.

- Grilled Cheese Sandwich: The melted cheese and crispy bread make this a favorite pairing with any soup. Cut the sandwich into strips for easy dipping into your bowl.

- Crusty Dinner Rolls: Fresh bread rolls are perfect for soaking up the last drops of soup in your bowl. Warm them in the oven before serving for the best taste.

- Simple Green Salad: A light salad with lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumber adds fresh vegetables to your meal. Use a simple dressing like olive oil and vinegar to keep it light.

- Crackers: Saltine crackers or whole grain crackers add a satisfying crunch to each spoonful. They also help make the soup more filling without adding much preparation time.

- Cornbread: The slightly sweet taste of cornbread creates a nice contrast with the savory pea soup. This Southern favorite can be made from a box mix or from scratch.

- Baked Sweet Potato: The natural sweetness of roasted sweet potato balances the earthy flavor of peas. Cut the potato open and add a little butter for extra richness.

- Coleslaw: This crunchy cabbage salad adds a fresh, tangy element to your soup meal. The cool temperature and crisp texture provide a nice contrast to the warm soup.

- Cheese and Crackers: A simple plate of cheese slices with crackers makes an easy appetizer before the soup. Choose mild cheeses like cheddar or Swiss that won't compete with the soup's flavor.

- Roasted Vegetables: Carrots, broccoli, or green beans roasted with olive oil make a healthy side dish. The roasted flavors add depth to your meal while keeping it nutritious.