Effortless Express Split Pea Soup

Welcome to the ultimate guide for making an incredibly **easy Crock Pot Express split pea soup recipe** that will quickly become a family favorite. Imagine a warm, hearty bowl of fresh homemade soup, made from scratch, ready on your table in just 18 minutes of pressure cooking. The best part? No soaking of the split peas is required! This recipe is a game-changer for anyone looking for a wholesome and quick meal, proving that healthy eating doesn’t have to be time-consuming.

In today’s fast-paced world, finding time to prepare nutritious, homemade meals can be a real challenge. As a busy individual juggling a full-time job and family responsibilities, I understand the need for dinners that can be prepared in under 30 minutes without compromising on flavor or quality. This is where a reliable pressure cooker, like the Crock Pot Express, truly shines. It’s a lifesaver in the kitchen, transforming traditionally long-cooking dishes into quick, weeknight wonders. This delightful split pea soup is just one of many fantastic Crock Pot Express recipes that streamline your cooking process, allowing you to enjoy delicious, home-cooked food more often.

Mastering the Crockpot Express Split Pea Soup Recipe

This pressure cooker split pea soup recipe offers incredible versatility. If you prefer a **vegetarian split pea soup**, simply omit the ham, and rest assured, it will still turn out wonderfully flavorful and satisfying. However, for those who enjoy a richer, savory depth, adding diced ham, bacon bits, or even ham hocks (my personal favorite for an authentic smoky flavor) elevates the soup to another level. The beauty of the Crock Pot Express lies in its ability to handle multiple cooking functions within the same pot. You can easily sauté your aromatics, like onions, to a perfect softness before adding the remaining ingredients, building layers of flavor right from the start. This convenience means you can whip up a comforting meal even after a long day, before hunger turns into ‘hanger’ for everyone in the house.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Pressure Cooker Split Pea Soup

Creating a truly memorable split pea soup begins with selecting the right ingredients. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need and how each component contributes to the soup’s incredible flavor:

• Dry Split Peas: These are, of course, the star of our show. You’ll need a standard bag of dry split peas, readily available in the dried beans and legumes aisle of any grocery store, or conveniently online here. Unlike whole peas, split peas cook down beautifully, creating that signature creamy texture characteristic of classic split pea soup. The best part about using a pressure cooker is that dry split peas require absolutely no pre-soaking, saving you hours of planning ahead.

• Fresh Vegetables: We recommend adding a generous amount of vegetables for flavor, texture, and nutrition. For this recipe, we typically use 1 large carrot and 2 stalks of celery. However, feel free to customize based on your preferences. If you prefer very soft carrots, slice them thinly. For a firmer bite, cut them thicker. Other great additions could include diced potatoes, bell peppers, or even a handful of spinach stirred in at the end. Vegetables like carrots and celery not only add a sweet and earthy flavor but also contribute essential vitamins and fiber, making this soup even healthier.

• Aromatics (Onions & Garlic): Diced white or yellow onions are key for building a flavorful base. Sautéing them until softened before pressure cooking truly unlocks their sweetness and depth. Under high pressure, they become incredibly tender, often dissolving into the soup, making them barely noticeable for even the pickiest eaters. While optional in some recipes, I highly recommend them. For an extra layer of aromatic complexity, consider adding a couple of minced garlic cloves during the sautéing process. Garlic pairs wonderfully with ham and peas, enhancing the overall savory profile.

• Liquid Base (Vegetable Broth): For the liquid component, **vegetable broth** is highly recommended over water, as it imparts significantly more flavor and richness to the soup. If you happen to have chicken broth or even leftover ham stock on hand, you can use a combination or substitute entirely for a different flavor profile. I’ve often used half vegetable and half chicken broth with fantastic results, proving its adaptability.

• Ham (Optional, but Recommended for Classic Flavor): The inclusion of ham is entirely optional but highly recommended for a traditional split pea soup experience. Diced ham steak, savory bacon bits, or even using leftover ham from holiday dinners are excellent choices. Ham hocks are also a wonderful addition, providing an incredible smoky flavor and richness that permeates the entire soup. If making a vegetarian version, you might consider adding a touch of liquid smoke or smoked paprika for a similar depth of flavor.

• Salt and Pepper: These essential seasonings are crucial for balancing and enhancing all the flavors. Remember that vegetable broth often contains sodium, so start with a small amount of salt and adjust to taste after the soup is cooked. A good rule of thumb is to season gradually, tasting as you go, to achieve your perfect balance. Freshly ground black pepper also adds a subtle kick and aroma.

• Herbs and Spices (Optional): For an added layer of complexity, consider a bay leaf during cooking (remove before serving), a pinch of dried thyme, or marjoram. These herbs complement the earthiness of the peas and the richness of the ham beautifully.

Expert Tips for the Best Split Pea Soup

Achieving the perfect texture and flavor for your Crock Pot Express split pea soup is simple with these helpful tips:

1. Achieving Your Desired Smoothness: The cooking time directly impacts the soup’s texture. For a soup with a little texture remaining from the peas, 17-18 minutes of pressure cooking is ideal. If you prefer a really smooth, almost creamy consistency where the peas have broken down completely, increase the pressure cook time to around 19-20 minutes. Keep in mind that longer cooking times will also result in softer vegetables. For an ultra-smooth soup, you can use an immersion blender directly in the pot after cooking, or carefully transfer batches to a regular blender.

2. Seasoning to Perfection: Always taste your soup before adding extra salt after it’s cooked. Broths vary in sodium content, and the ham can also contribute saltiness. It’s much easier to add more salt than to fix an oversalted soup. Adjust pepper and any other herbs as desired after the initial cooking.

3. Serving Immediately & Storage: Split pea soup is best served fresh and hot. It also saves exceptionally well, making it a great meal prep option. However, when stored in the refrigerator overnight, it will likely thicken considerably. Don’t worry, this is normal! Simply thin it out with a little extra vegetable broth or water when reheating until it reaches your desired consistency. It reheats wonderfully on the stovetop or in the microwave.

4. Flavor Variations: Experiment with different types of smoked meats, like smoked sausage or turkey bacon, for varied flavors. For a vegetarian version, consider adding smoked paprika, a dash of liquid smoke, or even a vegetarian ham substitute to mimic the classic smoky taste.

4.17 from 6 votes

Crock Pot Express Split Pea Soup Recipe

By Justine

This Crock Pot Express split pea soup recipe is incredibly easy and done in just 18 minutes! Fresh homemade split pea soup has never been so quick and tasted so good, it will surely become your new favorite family meal.

Prep: 15 mins

Cook: 18 mins

Total: 33 mins

Servings: 6

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Equipment

• 1 pressure cooker

Ingredients

• 42 oz vegetable broth
• 2 cup split peas, dry
• 1 cup ham, diced, optional
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 large carrots, cut into rounds
• 2 stalks celery, cut
• 1 tsp salt

Instructions

1. Turn your Crock Pot Express to the brown/saute function. Add olive oil, diced onions, and ham (if using). Cook and stir for a few minutes until the onions are softened and translucent.
2. Press the stop button to turn off the saute function.
3. Add all other listed ingredients (split peas, vegetable broth, carrots, celery, and salt) to the pot and stir everything well to combine.
4. Secure the lid on your pressure cooker and ensure the steam release valve is closed or set to the sealing position.
5. Set the pressure cooker to the “Soup” setting (high pressure is usually automatically selected) for 18 minutes.
6. Once the cooking cycle is complete, perform a quick release of pressure according to your appliance’s instructions. Carefully open the lid. Stir the soup and taste. If desired, sprinkle with a bit more salt. We find it perfect as is! Serve hot and enjoy.

Nutrition

Serving: 4oz,
Calories: 125kcal,
Carbohydrates: 6g,
Protein: 5g,
Fat: 8g,
Saturated Fat: 2g,
Cholesterol: 14mg,
Sodium: 1483mg,
Potassium: 193mg,
Fiber: 1g,
Sugar: 3g,
Vitamin A: 3880IU,
Vitamin C: 3mg,
Calcium: 16mg,
Iron: 0.3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course, Soup

Cuisine: American

Tried this recipe? Mention @thetypical_mom or tag #thetypicalmom!

This easy Crock Pot Express split pea soup recipe is perfect for those chilly evenings or any time you’re craving a comforting, feel-good meal. Serve it alongside some warm, crusty bread or a fresh green salad for a complete and satisfying dinner. It’s a wholesome dish that nourishes both body and soul, bringing the warmth of homemade cooking to your table with minimal effort.

Explore More Quick & Easy Crock Pot Express Recipes

If you’ve fallen in love with the convenience and delicious results of your pressure cooker, there are many more exciting recipes to try. Next on your culinary adventure, we highly recommend trying this equally simple and satisfying Crock Pot Express pinto bean soup. Just like our split pea soup, it’s made from scratch with no pre-soaking required, making it another ideal weeknight meal. For a truly hearty feast, consider serving your fresh pinto bean soup alongside our tender Pressure Cooker pot roast – a combination that promises to impress with its rich flavors and incredible ease of preparation. Embrace the efficiency of your pressure cooker and discover a world of quick, healthy, and incredibly tasty homemade dinners!