Discover the Ultimate Comfort: Easy Instant Pot Split Pea Soup with Ham

Split pea soup. For many, the mere mention conjures images of a hearty, comforting bowl, a classic staple often enjoyed on chilly days. Yet, my own journey to appreciating this culinary gem was, shall we say, a prolonged one. As a child, the verdant hue of split pea soup was enough to send me scurrying in the opposite direction. I remember politely (or perhaps not so politely) turning up my nose at my mom’s homemade concoctions. She would start with a beautiful ham bone, simmering it slowly on the stovetop for hours, filling our kitchen with an aroma that, to my young, unrefined palate, simply wasn’t appealing. Little did I know, I was missing out on a deeply flavorful and nourishing dish, lovingly prepared.

Fast forward to adulthood, and my taste buds have, thankfully, matured. What once seemed unappetizing is now a source of immense comfort and joy. The rich, smoky essence of ham, combined with the creamy, satisfying texture of perfectly cooked split peas, has become a favorite. Inspired by these nostalgic memories, I initially attempted to recreate my mom’s traditional method. I’d buy a ham on the bone, serve it for a meal, and then meticulously save the bone, envisioning a future pot of soup simmering away. However, reality quickly set in.

The traditional method, while yielding delicious results, proved to be quite the undertaking for a modern, busy lifestyle. My standard kitchen pots were often too small to accommodate a large ham bone comfortably, and finding a way to cut the bone into smaller, more manageable pieces was a Herculean task without specialized tools. The entire experience felt like an unnecessary amount of work and mess, turning what should have been a relaxing cooking session into a frustrating chore. It became clear that if I wanted to enjoy split pea soup regularly, I needed a more efficient approach, one that aligned with the conveniences of contemporary cooking.

Effortless Split Pea Soup: The Instant Pot Revolution

My desire for that authentic, savory ham flavor remained strong, but I also craved simplicity. This is where my beloved Instant Pot stepped in as the perfect culinary hero. Known for its ability to drastically cut down cooking times and streamline complex recipes, the Instant Pot promised a solution to my split pea soup dilemma. I began by adapting a recipe I discovered on culinaryginger.com, making a crucial modification to simplify the process without compromising on taste. The ham bone, the source of so much previous frustration, was replaced with readily available diced ham. This small change eliminated the fuss of dealing with a large bone while still infusing the soup with that essential smoky, savory goodness.

Adding to the recipe, I decided to incorporate a medium-sized potato, peeled and diced. Why a potato? I simply felt it would add another layer of heartiness and a subtle creaminess to the soup, complementing the texture of the peas and vegetables beautifully. Sometimes the best culinary innovations come from a simple “why not?” mentality. The beauty of this Instant Pot method lies in its incredible ease: prepare your ingredients, toss them into the pot, and let the magic happen. The result? A consistently delicious, deeply flavorful split pea soup that tastes like it’s been simmering all day, but comes together in a fraction of the time.

Simply combine all your ingredients in the Instant Pot, set it, and prepare for a truly delicious soup!

One of the most critical aspects of any pressure cooker recipe is mastering the cooking time. My Instant Pot features a convenient “Soup/Broth” setting, which defaults to 35 minutes. Always eager to optimize and find the sweet spot, I experimented with slightly shorter durations. When I set the timer for 30 minutes, the soup turned out wonderfully – perfectly cooked peas, tender vegetables, and a rich, integrated flavor. This became my preferred timing for a quick yet satisfying bowl.

However, pushing the boundaries too far proved to be a valuable lesson. When I attempted to reduce the cooking time to just 25 minutes, I realized my mistake. While the vegetables were tender and the flavors were melding, the split peas themselves hadn’t quite achieved that signature creamy, broken-down texture. They were still a bit too firm, preventing the soup from developing its characteristic body and thickness. So, take it from my experience: for that ideal, velvety consistency, do not cook for less than 30 minutes. The extra five minutes truly make all the difference in achieving the perfect Instant Pot Split Pea Soup.

After the cooking cycle completes and you safely open your Instant Pot, the soup might initially appear as a thin, hot broth with ingredients gently floating. Don’t worry, this is completely normal.

The magic happens with a simple stir! The tender, cooked-down split peas will rise and blend beautifully with the broth, creating that iconic thick, creamy, and wonderfully comforting texture that defines classic split pea soup.

The choice of broth can subtly influence the final flavor profile of your Instant Pot Split Pea Soup, but in my experience, both chicken and vegetable broth yield fantastic results without a dramatically noticeable difference in the overall taste. Both provide an excellent base for the ham and vegetables to shine. If you’re looking to create a vegetarian or even a vegan version of this comforting dish, simply use vegetable broth and omit the diced ham. You could also consider adding a touch of smoked paprika for a hint of smoky flavor, or some sautéed mushrooms for an umami boost, to compensate for the absence of ham. While I haven’t personally experimented with the vegan rendition, I’m genuinely curious to hear from anyone who does – please share your results!

Whether you opt for chicken or vegetable broth, this soup delivers rich flavor. For a delicious vegan option, simply swap chicken for vegetable broth and omit the ham.

Beyond its delicious taste and ease of preparation, this Instant Pot Split Pea Soup boasts another fantastic quality: it freezes exceptionally well. This makes it an ideal candidate for meal prepping, allowing you to enjoy a homemade, wholesome meal even on your busiest days. I’ve often prepared double batches specifically for freezing, portioning the cooled soup into individual containers or freezer bags. This foresight means I always have a quick, satisfying dinner or lunch option readily available, simply requiring a gentle reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave. Its ability to maintain flavor and texture after freezing is a huge advantage, transforming a simple recipe into a convenient meal solution for the week ahead.

This Instant Pot Split Pea Soup is perfectly freezer-friendly, making it an excellent choice for meal prep and future enjoyment.

This hearty and wholesome soup is guaranteed to bring warmth and comfort, making it perfect for any chilly day.

From a childhood aversion to a cherished adult favorite, Instant Pot Split Pea Soup has become a go-to recipe in my kitchen. It’s not just a meal; it’s a bowl of comforting nostalgia, made accessible and convenient thanks to modern kitchen appliances. Whether you’re a seasoned split pea soup enthusiast or someone looking to overcome a childhood skepticism, this recipe offers a foolproof path to a truly delicious and satisfying experience. Enjoy the simplicity, savor the flavor, and let this hearty soup warm you from the inside out.

📖 Recipe: Instant Pot Split Pea Soup with Ham

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Split Pea Soup by Instant Pot

A hearty and healthy classic, made simple and quick in your Instant Pot!

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

1 hr

Total Time

1 hr
15 mins

Course:
Soup

Cuisine:
American

Servings:
6

Calories:

443
kcal

Author:
Sula

Ingredients

• 2 TB olive oil
• 8 oz ham diced
• 1 yellow onion medium, diced
• 2 medium carrots diced
• 1 celery stalk diced
• 1 medium potato peeled and diced
• 16 oz split peas
• 8 cups broth vegetable or chicken
• 1 bay leaf
• ⅛ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

• Turn Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Add olive oil, then the diced onion. Cook until the onion begins to soften and become translucent, about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add the diced ham to the pot and continue to cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently, allowing the ham to release its flavors.
• Carefully add all remaining ingredients: carrots, celery, potato, split peas, broth, bay leaf, and black pepper. Stir everything together gently to ensure even distribution. Secure the Instant Pot lid, set the vent to sealing, and select the “Soup/Broth” setting, which typically defaults to 35 minutes.
• Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for at least 20 minutes. This crucial step helps the soup’s texture develop. After 20 minutes, carefully quick release any remaining pressure before opening the lid.
• Remove and discard the bay leaf. Stir the soup thoroughly to incorporate all the cooked ingredients and achieve that classic creamy split pea soup consistency. Serve hot and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories:
443
kcal

|

Carbohydrates:
58
g

|

Protein:
28
g

|

Fat:
12
g

|

Saturated Fat:
3
g

|

Cholesterol:
23
mg

|

Sodium:
1732
mg

|

Potassium:
1088
mg

|

Fiber:
21
g

|

Sugar:
10
g

|

Vitamin A:
4177
IU

|

Vitamin C:
8
mg

|

Calcium:
66
mg

|

Iron:
5
mg

Nutrition values are estimates only, typically generated using online calculators based on raw ingredients. Please verify using your own data for precise information.

Looking for more comforting and easy soup recipes? Check out our delightful Cheesy Potato Soup for another satisfying meal idea!