Hearty Instant Pot Split Pea Soup

Welcome to the ultimate guide for making incredibly easy and healthy Instant Pot Split Pea Soup with Ham. Forget long hours of simmering or the hassle of pre-soaking dried peas – our revolutionary recipe brings you a comforting, nutritious, and flavorful soup in just 17 minutes of pressure cooking time. This dump-and-go, one-pot meal is designed for busy home cooks who crave wholesome, homemade goodness without the fuss. Get ready to impress your family with a hearty soup that tastes like it cooked all day!

Life can be incredibly busy, making it challenging to consistently prepare home-cooked meals. That’s precisely why I’ve become an ardent fan of the Instant Pot. Before owning this “magic appliance,” the thought of cooking dry beans or legumes was daunting and often led to hours of planning and soaking. Now, I approach such recipes with confidence, knowing that the Instant Pot effortlessly transforms hard, dry ingredients into tender perfection in under 30 minutes, often without any pre-soaking.

Mastering Split Pea Soup in Your Pressure Cooker (Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi & More)

This versatile recipe isn’t limited to just the Instant Pot; it’s perfectly adaptable for any electric pressure cooker, including the popular Ninja Foodi. The principle remains the same: a high-pressure environment drastically reduces cooking time compared to traditional stovetop or slow cooker methods. If you’re using a Ninja Foodi, simply remember to use the appropriate pressure cooking lid – the one that’s not attached – for this recipe to ensure proper sealing and pressure build-up.

Through careful testing, I’ve pinpointed the ideal cooking time for perfectly tender split peas. My initial attempt at 15 minutes yielded peas that were slightly firmer than desired. A subsequent test at 17 minutes proved to be just right, achieving that coveted smooth, creamy texture for the split peas while ensuring the carrots and celery remained tender-crisp. This balance is key to a satisfying bowl of soup.

While some prefer an ultra-smooth soup, I personally enjoy a bit more texture, with small, tender chunks of vegetables and peas still discernible. Cooking for any longer risks turning the other vegetables into mush, losing that delightful variation in consistency. However, if a velvety-smooth soup is your preference, a quick immersion blender session right in the pot after cooking will achieve that in just a few minutes, transforming it into a luxurious puree.

Essential Ingredients and Flavor Enhancements for Your Split Pea Soup

The beauty of this Instant Pot Split Pea Soup lies in its simplicity and the flexibility to adapt it to your preferences. Here are some key ingredient considerations and tips:

• Split Peas: I consistently use a bag of green split peas, which yield a beautiful color and classic flavor. A mix of green and yellow split peas would also work well. Importantly, the timing in this recipe is calibrated for dry, uncooked peas, meaning no overnight soaking is required. In fact, I advise against soaking them for pressure cooking, as it can result in an overly soft, mushy texture.
• Broth: Using a quality vegetable broth dramatically enhances the depth of flavor compared to plain water. You can also substitute it with chicken broth or chicken stock if preferred, especially if you’re not aiming for a vegetarian dish.
• Ham: This is where the magic truly happens! You have several options for incorporating ham:
  • A meaty ham bone or ham hock will impart a rich, smoky flavor as it cooks down.
  • Chopped ham steak offers quick convenience and excellent flavor.
  • This recipe is also one of our favorite ways to utilize leftover ham from holiday dinners.

  The ham contributes both a savory element and a wonderful texture to the soup.

While split peas, broth, and ham form the foundational trio, I strongly encourage you to include the additional aromatics and vegetables listed in the recipe. Ingredients like diced onion, carrots, and celery are crucial for developing a rich, well-rounded flavor profile. Beyond ham, other delicious meat additions include crispy bacon bits or even sliced kielbasa if you have it on hand. I always advocate for using what you have to minimize food waste!

A note on seasoning: I prefer to adjust the salt content after the soup is fully cooked. Ham and many broths already contain a significant amount of sodium, and often, little to no additional salt is needed. This approach also allows me to manage sodium intake, which is important for health-conscious cooking. With all the other flavorful components, this soup rarely feels under-seasoned.

Exciting Variations to Customize Your Split Pea Soup

Beyond the core ingredients, there are numerous ways to elevate and customize your Instant Pot Split Pea Soup:

• Seasoning: While salt and pepper are standard, consider adding onion powder, a bay leaf or two (remember to remove them before serving), dried thyme, or a touch of smoked paprika for an extra layer of flavor. For a truly smoky profile, a tiny dash of liquid smoke can be transformative – but use sparingly!
• Extra Vegetables: Don’t hesitate to boost the nutritional value and texture by adding more vegetables. Dials of sliced peeled carrots, extra celery, or even some diced potatoes can create a heartier soup.
• Ham Hocks for Deep Flavor: Keep an eye out for ham hocks, which are often incredibly inexpensive at grocery stores. These are fantastic for soup! You can place one or two directly in the pot with the other ingredients. As they cook under pressure, the meat will become exceptionally tender and fall off the bone, infusing the entire soup with a rich, smoky essence.
• Make it Vegetarian: Easily transform this into a delicious vegetarian split pea soup. Simply omit the ham and ensure you use a good quality vegetable broth. You can compensate for the richness of ham by adding extra vegetables, a spoonful of nutritional yeast for umami, or a smoked vegetarian sausage alternative.

This recipe offers an excellent way to use up leftover ham, especially after holidays. If you don’t have leftovers, you can easily make our Instant Pot ham recipe first, or simply purchase pre-cooked diced ham from your local grocery store any time of year. There’s no need to wait for Easter or Christmas to enjoy this delightful soup!

For those who prefer a slower pace, this same delicious meal can be prepared in a slow cooker. You can find detailed instructions for our crockpot split pea soup to enjoy this comforting dish with minimal effort over several hours.

How to Store and Reheat Leftover Split Pea Soup

One of the many advantages of this hearty split pea soup is how wonderfully it holds up as leftovers. It reheats beautifully, making it perfect for quick lunches or a second dinner. To ensure the best quality and safety, always allow the soup to cool completely to room temperature before storing it. Divide the cooled soup into individual serving-sized, airtight containers. This prevents spoilage and makes reheating a breeze.

If your containers aren’t perfectly airtight, a layer of plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface of the soup before sealing with the lid can help prevent air exposure and maintain freshness. You’ll notice that split pea soup tends to thicken considerably as it sits in the refrigerator. When reheating, you’ll likely want to thin it out a bit with a few tablespoons of extra broth or water. Simply stir it in until you reach your desired consistency. Reheat in the microwave for 1-1.5 minutes, stirring halfway, or warm gently on the stovetop over medium-high heat until heated through.

Discover More Easy Instant Pot Recipes You’ll Love

If you’re anything like us, once you experience the convenience and delicious results of pressure cooking, you’ll be hooked! We have an extensive collection of easy Instant Pot soup recipes that are perfect for quick, cheap, and nutritious meals. The beauty of these one-pot wonders is that they pack a nutritional punch and can often be easily adapted for dietary needs, such as making them vegetarian by simply omitting the meat.

• Our Instant Pot chicken noodle soup is a soul-soothing classic, fantastic whether you’re feeling under the weather or simply craving comfort food.
• Seen above in another post is our wholesome Instant Pot barley soup. It’s incredibly healthy, yet so flavorful you’ll forget how good it is for you!
• The best Instant Pot potato corn chowder recipe is a crowd-pleaser, consistently receiving five-star reviews for its creamy texture and rich taste.
• Don’t miss our hearty pressure cooker sausage soup, which also utilizes dry beans and offers a fantastic depth of flavor.

For even more creative ways to use up leftover ham, explore our dedicated post on leftover ham recipes, which includes a variety of delicious dishes beyond just soup. We also share a number of other delightful Ninja Foodi soup recipes for all your pressure cooking needs.

Addressing the “Gas” Question: Tips for Enjoying Split Pea Soup Comfortably

A common concern with legumes like split peas is the potential for digestive discomfort. The good news for this Instant Pot recipe is that NO soaking is required, which means less planning ahead for your meal. The high-pressure cooking process breaks down the peas effectively, making them generally easier to digest.

However, for those who are particularly sensitive to dry beans and legumes, you might still consider a quick pre-soak. Soaking the split peas for about an hour before cooking in the Instant Pot can help further aid the digestive process for some individuals. If you frequently cook with canned beans, a helpful tip is to always drain and rinse them thoroughly in a colander before use. This simple step can wash away some of the starches that contribute to gas. Listen to your body and adjust accordingly to enjoy your delicious split pea soup comfortably!