This soup is perhaps easy, however wow, is it scrumptious! Break up pea soup has been a New England favourite for ages, made with dried break up peas and both a ham hock or some leftover ham. You may mix it up for a easy, creamy texture or depart it chunky with hearty bits of veggies and ham. It’s a humble soup, however it’s simple to make and budget-friendly.
Serve it up with Rustic Garlic Parmesan Herb Bread or Garlic Parmesan Herb Dinner Rolls.
Why Our Recipe
- Wealthy and smoky goodness: Ham hocks carry meaty taste to each spoonful.
- Simple, one-pot meal: Toss all of it in, let it simmer, and also you’re golden.
- Texture Choices: Mix it till it’s easy and creamy or maintain it chunky.

Break up pea soup is constituted of dried break up peas which is how the soup will get its title. However what concerning the break up peas? That comes from the method used to protect them. They’re peeled, dried, and break up. The colour of break up pea soup varies between yellow and inexperienced, relying on the number of break up peas used.
Ingredient Notes
- Salted Butter: For those who solely have unsalted butter, add a pinch of salt.
- Onion: Use a white or yellow onion. Cube it into small items.
- Carrots: Child carrots work too, simply minimize them into smaller items for even cooking.
- Break up Peas: Break up peas are a dried pea that may be discovered bagged, within the dry meals part of your grocery store. They need to be situated someplace close to the dried beans and lentils.
- Rooster Broth: Utilizing a low-sodium possibility means that you can finest management the flavour—it’s an amazing chef tip.
- Ham Hocks: For those who can’t discover ham hocks, you should utilize a ham bone as a substitute. Or, to make issues simple, may also use diced ham. Merely add within the diced ham after pureeing your soup.
Utilizing Dried Break up Peas
Break up peas, like lentils, don’t should be soaked earlier than cooking. Beans require soaking previous to cooking, however as a result of these are peas they can be utilized instantly within the recipe. It’s nonetheless a good suggestion to rinse your peas totally earlier than cooking to take away any dust particles and pick something that’s shriveled.
Ham Hocks and Choices
This recipe makes use of ham hocks. They’re low cost and what retains this soup humble. Throwing them in your soup is tremendous simple and brings a number of taste with slightly little bit of meat. You’re mainly making your personal ham inventory!
You may use diced ham as a substitute when you can’t discover ham hocks or don’t need to use them. This may be leftover ham or you should buy diced ham. Merely add it in after pureeing your soup. Return the soup to a simmer to permit the ham to warmth by means of.
For those who’d wish to get two meals in a single, it’s also possible to use the ham bone the day after you’ve had a scrumptious ham dinner. Strip the ham off the bone and save for garnish.


Chunky vs Easy
Historically, this soup is served as a easy purée, however we love slightly added texture. Simply skip the final step the place you pour it into the blender and also you’ve nonetheless obtained the smoothness of the bottom however with these yummy vegetable chunks and items of salty, savory ham.
Storage and Reheating Directions
Refrigerate leftovers in an hermetic container for as much as 4 days.
Freeze the cooled soup in a freezer-safe container or resealable freezer bag, leaving area on the prime for growth. Freeze for as much as 3 months. Thaw within the fridge in a single day.
Reheat on the range over medium-low warmth till warmed by means of.
Reheat within the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring in between every for even heating.