This is my take on a Dutch style Healthy Pea and Ham soup. I can’t always source good quality ham hocks so I’ve improvised to replicate the flavour combo of smoked meat and legumes that I grew up with, but using a pork chop and bacon instead of the hock.
The result is this tasty, hearty stew like soup that’s more a complete meal than a starter. Whilst it has a long cooking time, it really is a no-fuss, set and forget type meal that my whole family loves. It’s also a very budget friendly meal which is always a bonus.
Take a look at the variations (below the main recipe) for suggestions to alter the recipe to suit your specific dietary requirements (including vegan, vegetarian, onion and garlic-free options).
Healthy Pea and Ham Soup
Serves: 4
This Healthy Pea and Ham Soup is an easy to make, hearty meal in a bowl that's sure to become a family favourite. It's gluten and dairy-free and super delicious.
Ingredients
- 200 g dried green split peas (1 cup)
- 1 pork chop -fat trimmed
- 3 rasher/s bacon
- 1 red onion/s (large) diced
- 2 clove/s garlic -diced
- 2 stick/s celery -finely diced
- 1.5 L water
- 1 tsp sea salt - or to taste
- Ground black pepper
- 1 carrot/s (large) finely diced
- 1 potato/s (large) peeled and finely diced
- 1 sweet potato/s (medium) peeled and finely diced
- 30 g baby spinach -or kale (optional) (aapprox. 1 handful)
Method
- Soak the split peas overnight in enough water to allow for them to expand. Strain and rinse them very well (in a sieve under running water).
- Place the split peas, pork chops, bacon, onion, garlic, celery and water into a pot and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 30 mins. Any scum that appears just skim it from the top.
- Then add carrot, potato and sweet potato and simmer slowly for another hour or until the split peas are mushy and the soup has thickened.
- Remove the pork from the bone (it should just fall away). Break any solid bits up and mix through the soup.
- Sir through the leafy greens (if including) and allow them to wilt.
Serve
- Serve with crusty sourdough bread.
Make-ahead
- Re-heat in a pot over a low heat until just hot.
Store
- In an airtight container in the fridge or freezer
Slow Cooker
- This can certainly cooked in a slow cooker. However, as the time and amount of liquid varies between brands of slow cookers, base both on thick soup like recipes in the guide book for your specific slow cooker.
Variations
Onion and garlic-free
Substitute with a small bulb of fennel, diced finely and a pinch of cayenne.Vegan
Omit the bacon and pork and add a tablespoon of smoked paprika and increase the salt to 1 tablespoon. You could also replace the water with vegetable stock if you like.Add more veggies
Feel free to add in extra vegetables if you like. I sometimes add cauliflower and broccoli for the last 5 minutes of cooking.I'd love to hear how you and your family enjoy this recipe. Leave a comment below or rate this recipe.
Rebecca Wood says
Hi Georgia – I planned to make this soup tonight and completely forgot to soak the green split peas….
Can I cook anyway and will the peas need a little longer? I can probably still soak them for 3-4hrs before I have to get dinner underway (Im in WA).
Thanks!!
Georgia Harding says
Hi Rebecca
I know I answered you on FB – how did it work out for you? G x
Jodie Fraumano says
Hi Georgia,
We absolutely love your recipes in our house so thank you for all you do.
Two questions, do you have a thermie method for this one and if I do have a ham hock which I do (have been saving in the freezer since xmas and really need to use it up…and voila your recipe comes in!), do i just sub that for the pork chop and bacon or are some of those needed as well?
Thanks
Jodie
Georgia Harding says
Hi Jodie. Shazam, universe delivers (via WN 😉).
So I didn’t do a TMX method as I was worried about the bone in the chop compromising the blade and it all fitting in. Plus its just one pot on the stove and ridiculously easy to make anyhow.
Yes you will just sub the hock with the pork and bacon. Enjoy – I’ve already had some great feedback on socials. G x
Aja says
Just made the vegan version. Amazing flavour. You are my go to lady for all things kids and dinners. Thanks once again.
Georgia Harding says
Oh fabulous Aja,so thrilled you enjoyed it. Appreciate your feedback G x
Deb says
Could you do this is a slow cooker ?
Georgia Harding says
I haven’t tried it but can’t see why not. Let me know how it goes. G x
Sally O’Grady says
Hi Georgia made this soup last night and it was a huge success!! So easy to just throw everything in and put on the stove, the pork chop gave a delicious flavour, so much nicer than the usual over salty/fatty ham hocks and not to mention better for you without the added nitrates….the whole family gave a thumbs up and even the kids went back for second! Thanks Georgia x
Georgia Harding says
That’s so awesome Sally. Glad everyone loved it, cheers for the 5🌟s Gx
Michelle says
Hi Georgia,
As an Aussie living in The Netherlands (married to a Dutchie) I loved seeing this recipe. It’s still summer here, but have bookmarked this to try when the weather gets colder. Thanks for all your wonderful recipes. Every one I have tried is always easy to make and delicious. Thank you for your wonderful work
Georgia Harding says
Thrilled to inspire your cooking across the globe Michelle! I really appreciate your wonderful feedback too, G x
Krisanne says
I made this today but it was taking forever so I ended up putting it into my Crock Pot and wow done in 10 min , not sure what was going on with the stovetop but hey not complaining because was so delicious and thanks so much as it will be one of my fav soups in winter now , thanks so much cheers
Oh tagged you in my insta also with a pic 😘
Georgia Harding says
Ah fabulous. So glad you enjoyed it, loved seeing your pic on IG too. Thanks for your feedback and for rating the recipe too, Georgia x
Claire says
Another winner dish! Cooked this today in the slow cooker, soaked split peas overnight and threw everything in this morning, on low for about 9 hours and came out perfect. Have been back for seconds and my 3 year old twins loved it!
Claire says
Forgot to mention, I only used 1 litre of water 🙂
Georgia Harding says
Oh yay, great to know it worked well in your slow cooker too. Appreciate your feedback and the 5🌟s Claire. G x
Larissa says
Amazing flavour really loveley, thank you again 😊
Georgia Harding says
You’re welcome Larissa, Georgia x
Lauren says
Yet another fabulous recipe thank you Georgia! I have always meant to try making pea and ham soup, but it always seemed too hard to find the right ingredients. It was great to have a soup with so much flavour that didn’t use stock as a base as I had run out. I picked up the pork and salt-cured bacon from my local farmers market last weekend and made a double batch. Such beautiful nourishing comfort food. I love that I can cook any of your recipes knowing they will be delicious!!
Georgia Harding says
Oh yay – I wasn’t sure if the traditionalists would like my version, but it’s been really popular so obviously my little variations suit others too. Thanks for your feedback and fro rating the recipe Lauren G x
Melanie says
Absolutely delicious! I used a smoked pork shank as I had one in the fridge and forgot to pre-soak the peas but cooked for around 4 hours and it was delicious! Another nourishing meal of yours that the kids ate without complaint… Thankyou Georgia xx
Georgia Harding says
Oh fabulous, so thrilled you all loved it. Thanks so much for the feedback and the 5 🌟s too G x🙏🏼
Johanna Lundgren says
Can I use lentils instead of peas?
Georgia Harding says
I haven’t recipe tested it. It would produce a different consistency as the peas break down altogether, But I do like the taste of bacon and lentils so I think the taste would be fine. Let me know how you go Gx
Shona says
Absolutely beautiful soup. Thank you for the recipe. Hubby and I loved it.
Georgia Harding says
So glad you enjoyed it Shona and appreciate the 5 star rating G x
Tereza says
Hi Georgia,
how big should be the 1 pork chop please? I usually use yellow split peas in traditional pea ham soup, so cant wait to taste your soup.
Georgia Harding says
Hi Tereza, mine was about the size of my hand ☺️ enjoy G x
Arina says
As a Dutchie in Australia I really craved this when we had the cold snap last week. While it was not quite the pea soup I am used to, it did not disappoint! The only thing missing was a smoked sausage which normally gives it the salty kick but that is not available in Australia unfortunately. But the soup itself was delicious and the bacon and pork chop gave it almost the right taste 😉
Georgia Harding says
That’s a great compliment thanks Arina. So glad you enjoyed it, yes the chop and bacon combo was the ‘less processed’ trade off 😉 Cheers for the 5🌟s G x
Tara says
Amazing soup- even fussy husband loved it. This was very easy and one of the tastiest soups I’ve made (along with your Asian noodle soup). Feel great after eating it. Thank you!
Georgia Harding says
So glad you both loved it Tara, cheers for the 5 🌟s too G x
Lisa Hodge says
It’s a winner winner Ham dinner! My 4yo was immediately drawn to the idea of Ham for dinner. My 1yo old had 2 bowls and hubby said it was delicious but not as good as his mums…. it’s okay I’ll take that. It’s the best pea n Ham soup I’ve ever had 10/10
Georgia Harding says
Ha ha – mums food is always the best! So glad you and the kids enjoyed it Lisa G x