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This Instant Pot split pea soup is literally the only way I will make split pea soup anymore. I never really have my stuff together in time to simmer split peas on the stove for an hour or two before a meal and the pressure cooker is a lifesaver! It cooks it SO fast!
I am definitely the person who saves her ham bone from her baked ham. I might even be that person that makes a slow cooker ham just so that she can make split pea soup the next day!
Instant Pot Split Pea Soup
I have never had much luck making split pea soup on the stovetop. I find that the broth or water that you have evaporates quicker than it absorbs into the split peas and you have to be quite vigilant when you’re watching thick soup on the burner as it tends to stick to the bottom of the pot more readily than a thin broth soup does. And it can take a couple of hours to cook those split peas! So my go-to has always been a slow cooker. However, that means that I actually have to wake up in the morning and have my day planned out and get that soup on early. That actually rarely happens.
The Instant Pot has changed all of that. I actually think that I have made split pea soup in the Instant Pot more than I have even made my Instant Pot pot roast or my Instant Pot mashed potatoes – and I make those alllll the time.
How To Make Split Pea Soup in Your Instant Pot
It is extremely easy to make this in your pressure cooker. If you have one like the instant pot that has a sauté button you are able to sauté the onion and garlic in the bottom of it before even adding other ingredients. It is literally a one-pot meal.
- Using the saute button, sauté the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery until tender. If you are using bacon, fry it at this point as well.
- Add in the hambone or ham hock, green peas, bay leaves, and dried thyme. Add in any of the meat, vegetable or spice options at this point.
- Seal the lid according to the manufacturer’s instructions and cook on high pressure for 20 minutes.
- Let the pot naturally release for 20 minutes, then release according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Stir and serve.
Add Cooked Ham
Split pea soup is the best with ham ( although I do have instructions in the recipe card below on how to make it vegetarian) and if you have 2 cups of chopped ham leftover, the best way to use up your leftover ham is in this soup!
More Soup Recipes
I have a ton of soup recipes that you can make in the Instant Pot as well! Also if you are a soup lover, check out the chicken stock vs chicken broth post to learn the difference between the two.
- Cream of Celery Soup
- Creamy Cauliflower Leek Soup
- Classic Beef Tomato Macaroni Soup
Happy cooking!
Love,
Karlynn
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Instant Pot Split Pea Soup
- Prep Time
- 20 minutes
- Cook Time
- 20 minutes
- Course
- Soup
- Cuisine
- American
- Servings
- 8
- Calories
- 384
- Equipment
- Instant Pot
- Author
- Karlynn Johnston
Ingredients
Basic Split Pea Soup Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup diced white onion
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1 cup diced celery
- 6 cups chicken or vegetable stock
- 1 ham bone or smoked ham hock
- 1 pound dry split green peas rinsed and sorted
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
Optional Meat Additions
- 2 cups diced ham
- 6-8 slices diced thick cut bacon (fry with vegetables in step 1)
- 1 pound cooked and drained ground beef (amazing, trust me!)
Optional Vegetable Additions
- 2 cups diced russet potatoes
- 1/3 cup barley (add in 1 cup extra broth if using)
- 1 cup sliced white mushrooms (fry with vegetables in step 1)
Optional Spice Additions
- 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke (if not using any ham/hocks/bacon)
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- pinch of red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Press the saute button on your Instant Pot and place the oil in the bottom.
- Once heated, add in the onions. If adding bacon or mushrooms, cook it now with the onions.
- Fry until soft and translucent, then add in the garlic, carrots and celery and fry for another 2-3 minutes.
- Add in the broth, the ham bone (if using), split peas, bay leaves and thyme. Add in any other meat, vegetable or spice additions now.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot and close and seal according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Cook on high pressure for 20 minutes. Once done, let the soup sit and naturally release for 20 minutes, then remove the lid according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Remove the ham bone and chop off any meat, returning the ham to the pot.
- Stir and serve while warm.
Recipe Notes
- Nutritional values will vary depending on what ingredients you use.
Nutrition Information
All calories and info are based on a third party calculator and are only an estimate. Actual nutritional info will vary with brands used, your measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Made this recipe?
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Please rate this recipe in the comments below to help out your fellow cooks!
Nancy Dyck says
I made this soup for lunch after a morning of skiing. It’s easy and delicious! My add-ins were the chopped ham and the curry powder. Thanks Karlynn – this one’s a keeper!
Lauren M says
Made just as directed – fantastic! My mom used to add Liptons Chicken Noodle Soup to her pea soup, and I was THIS close, but stopped myself. Great recipe!