Hearty Pea and Ham Soup Recipe: Cozy Comfort in Every Spoonful

Cozy winter nights call for a hearty pea and ham soup that warms you from the inside out.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this classic comfort dish.

Cold weather brings out the best in this rustic recipe.

Rich, smoky ham blends perfectly with sweet green peas.

Tender vegetables and savory broth create a delightful symphony of flavors.

Each spoonful promises pure satisfaction and nostalgic comfort.

You’ll want to ladle this soul-soothing soup into your favorite bowl right now.

Why Hairy Bikers Pea And Ham Soup Is So Filling

• Rescue Leftover Ham: Transform extra holiday ham into a hearty, comforting soup that saves money and reduces food waste while creating a delicious meal.
• Quick Nutrient Powerhouse: Packed with protein from ham and split peas, this soup delivers a nutritious one-pot wonder that keeps you satisfied and energized throughout the day.
• Simple Cooking Adventure: Perfect for home cooks of all skill levels, this recipe requires minimal ingredients and basic cooking techniques, making it an approachable and rewarding culinary experience.
• Cozy Family Meal: Ideal for chilly evenings or weekend gatherings, this soup brings everyone together with its rich, warming flavors and nostalgic comfort food appeal.

What You Need For Hairy Bikers Pea And Ham Soup

• Split Peas: A protein-packed legume that gives the soup its classic hearty texture and green color.
• Ham: A savory meat that adds rich flavor and depth to the soup.
• Chicken Stock: A flavorful liquid base that enhances the overall taste of the soup.

• Onion, Celery, Garlic: A classic flavor base that provides a delicious foundation for the soup.

• Bay Leaf: An herb that infuses a subtle, earthy flavor into the soup.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance the soup's taste.
• Butter: A rich ingredient that helps sauté the vegetables and adds smoothness to the soup.
• Water: Used to adjust the soup's consistency and help cook the split peas.

How To Make Hairy Bikers Pea And Ham Soup

Step 1: Prepare Cooking Vessel

Select a large pot and place it on the stovetop over medium-low heat. Add butter and let it melt completely, creating a smooth cooking surface.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

• Celery
• Onion
• Garlic

Sauté the vegetables for about 5-8 minutes until they become soft and translucent, being careful not to brown them.

Step 3: Combine Protein and Legumes

• Diced ham
• Bay leaf
• Split peas

Stir the ingredients together, allowing the flavors to start mingling.

Step 4: Pour Liquid Base

Add chicken stock and water to the pot. Mix thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are well combined and evenly distributed.

Step 5: Initiate Simmering Process

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat and cover the pot partially, allowing steam to escape while trapping the flavors inside.

Step 6: Slow Cook the Soup

Let the soup simmer for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.

Step 7: Final Seasoning and Serving

Remove the bay leaf from the soup. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Ladle the hot soup into bowls and serve immediately.

Top Tips For Hairy Bikers Pea And Ham Soup

• Sauté Vegetables Carefully: Cook onions, celery, and garlic gently to prevent browning, which can create a bitter taste and affect the soup's delicate flavor profile.
• Choose Quality Ham: Select a meaty, smoky ham hock or leftover ham with good marbling for rich, deep flavor that infuses the entire soup with deliciousness.
• Control Liquid Consistency: Add extra chicken stock or water if soup becomes too thick during simmering, ensuring a smooth, creamy texture without being too dense.
• Enhance Seasoning Subtly: Taste and adjust salt and pepper gradually, remembering that ham is naturally salty, to prevent over-seasoning the soup.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Store leftover soup in airtight containers for up to 3 months, making it a convenient make-ahead meal for busy weeks.

Tasty Ideas For Hairy Bikers Pea And Ham Soup

• Vegetarian Pea Soup: Replace ham with smoked tofu or tempeh, using vegetable stock for a plant-based version.
• Dairy-Free Option: Use olive oil instead of butter and ensure all ingredients are dairy-free for those with lactose intolerance.
• Spicy Mediterranean Variation: Add diced chorizo, paprika, and a touch of red pepper flakes for a zesty flavor profile.
• Low-Sodium Version: Use low-sodium chicken stock, eliminate added salt, and choose lean ham to reduce overall sodium content.

Best Things To Serve With Hairy Bikers Pea And Ham Soup

• Savor Rustic Wine Pairing: Grab a medium-bodied Pinot Noir that complements the soup's smoky ham and earthy pea flavors, cutting through the richness with its elegant acidity.
• Crusty Bread Companion: Select a hearty sourdough or rustic country bread to dip into the soup, providing delightful textural contrast and absorbing the savory broth.
• Crisp Side Salad Match: Prepare a light green salad with sharp vinaigrette dressing to balance the soup's creamy texture, adding a refreshing zesty note that cleanses the palate between spoonfuls.
• Perfect Appetizer Starter: Serve small cheese crostini with sharp cheddar or aged gouda to enhance the soup's depth, creating a delicious prelude that builds anticipation for the main course.

How To Keep Hairy Bikers Pea And Ham Soup Fresh

• Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch space for expansion. Freeze for 2-3 months. Label with date and contents.
• Warm soup in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of water or chicken stock to restore original consistency if needed.
• Transfer soup to a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warm and steaming.

Hairy Bikers Pea And Ham Soup Q&A

• Can I use frozen peas instead of split peas?

Split peas are essential for this traditional soup’s texture and flavor. Frozen peas are different and won’t provide the same thick, hearty consistency needed for authentic pea and ham soup.

• Is ham bone or ham hock better for this recipe?

Ham bone gives richer flavor and more meat, while ham hock provides deeper smoky undertones. Both work well, so choose based on what’s available at your local butcher or grocery store.

• How can I make the soup creamier?

Use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup, creating a smoother texture while keeping some pea chunks. This technique helps thicken the soup without adding extra cream.

Pea And Ham Soup Recipe

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4.5 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty pea and ham soup brings comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, warming souls with its rich, smoky flavors. Creamy legumes and tender meat create a classic dish that connects you to generations of home cooking.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound dried split peas, rinsed
• 1 pound diced ham
• 1 quart (0.95 liters) chicken stock

Vegetables:

• 1/2 onion, diced
• 2 ribs celery, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, sliced

Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 1/2 cups water
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Gently melt butter in a spacious pot over medium-low heat, creating a smooth cooking base.
2. Introduce finely chopped celery, onion, and minced garlic to the melted butter, allowing them to soften and become translucent without browning for approximately 5-8 minutes.
3. Incorporate diced ham, aromatic bay leaf, and split peas into the vegetable mixture, stirring to distribute ingredients evenly.
4. Pour in chicken stock and water, ensuring thorough integration of all components and creating a uniform liquid consistency.
5. Gradually elevate the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat and cover the pot partially to maintain moisture and prevent excessive evaporation.
6. Allow the soup to gently simmer for 60-75 minutes, periodically stirring to prevent ingredient settlement and ensure even cooking.
7. Extract and discard the bay leaf, which has now imparted its distinctive flavor to the soup.
8. Season the soup with salt and freshly ground black pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences.
9. Ladle the hot soup into serving bowls, ensuring each portion contains a balanced mix of ingredients, and serve immediately for optimal flavor and temperature.

Notes

• Enhance flavor by using smoked ham hock for deeper, richer taste profile.
• Consider replacing chicken stock with vegetable stock for a vegetarian adaptation.
• Customize texture by partially blending soup to create a creamier consistency without losing chunk integrity.
• Freeze leftover soup in portion-sized containers for convenient future meals, maintaining quality up to 3 months.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 266 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 690 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 9 g
• Protein: 21 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg