Hearty Split Pea Soup

January 15, 2015

I’m officially back in Belgium and my exams are done, done, done!! My blog posts have been prettyyy sporadic lately due to the holidays, being home and then trying to write my last couple papers which were all due on Monday. Let’s just say, my fingers needed a little break from typing after pulling an all-nighter after my overnight flight on Sunday. Ooops. I did most of my papers in advance and was planning to get my last couple done in Canada – but, let’s get real, in between all the catching up and the holiday bustle there was not much school work getting done 😉

Trips and visits home always pass by too quickly. It was amazing to be home – I visited with family, friends and managed to get my little taste of the Canadian winter. And now I’m happily back in my cozy apartment in Leuven. It’s funny how different the wintertime weather is in both places – Canada is bright, freezing and snowy and Belgium is dark, rainy and cool. One thing both climates have in common is they both call for soup – lots of warm, comforting and snuggle-up-by-the-fire soup, just like this Hearty Split Pea Soup.

But I can’t take total credit for this soup. I love how everybody makes homemade soup their own. My stepmom, mom and J’s mom all make such unique and delicious soups – but they’re all sooo different. My stepmom makes delicious, thick, stick-to-the-bone, hearty soups and when she made this Split Pea Soup for lunch I knew I had to share it with you 🙂

So even though I can’t take total credit for this Easy, Hearty and Healthy Split Pea Soup it sure is a delicious! This soup comes together in less than 25 minutes, is naturally vegan, gluten and oil free. I’m convinced it makes the perfect winter lunch or light dinner alongside a piece of fresh and crusty bread. Enjoy!

5.0 from 3 reviews

Hearty Split Pea Soup

Prep time

5 mins

Cook time

35 mins

Total time

40 mins

A cozy, warming and hearty Split Pea Soup that comes together in a cinch! This Split Pea Soup is hearty, healthy, naturally vegan, gluten and oil free - it makes the perfect lunch or light dinner and is very easy to whip up.

Author: Ceara

Recipe type: Soup

Cuisine: American

Serves: 4 bowls

Ingredients

1 red onion, diced (medium)
3 - 4 cloves garlic, diced
1 tbsp olive oil or ¼ cup water (for sauteeing)
1 carrot, finely diced or grated (large)
2 stalks celery, finely diced (optional)
1 cup split peas (rinsed)
3 cups vegetable broth
1 tbsp vegan Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp hot pepper flakes
Sea Salt and Black Pepper to taste

To Serve

Lemon Juice
Red Pepper Flakes
Hot Sauce
Croutons
PIta Chips

Directions

Sautee diced onion and garlic in oil or water (depending on preferred method) until golden brown in a large pot.
Add diced carrots and optional celery to the pot and sautee for a couple minutes.
Add rinsed split peas and sautee for a couple minutes.
Add three cups of vegetable broth to the large pot. Add hot pepper flakes, sea salt and black pepper.
Bring to a boil and simmer until the split peas are soft, about 15-20 minutes.
Using an immersion blender, blend half the soup until you have reached your desired consistency. You can choose to leave it smooth or textured (I did not blend mine that much and left it more textured).
Serve with fresh lemon juice, red pepper flakes, hot sauce, croutons and/or pita chips.

Notes

Feel Free to add other finely diced or grated vegetables (red pepper, celery, etc.) to the sauteed onions and garlic or omit the carrots altogether if you are in a pinch. Most Worcestershire sauce is not vegan - Annie's makes a great vegan Worcestershire sauce that I use in the kitchen.

If you do end up making this Hearty Split Pea Soup, I love hearing about it! Share it with me on the Ceara’s Kitchen Facebook Page, Tweet it to me @CearasKitchen or Instagram it to me @CearasKitchen with #CearasKitchen.

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36 comments

Stephen Matejov May 12, 2015 at 4:16 am

What recipes do you have for green pea, lentil, black bean, 5-bean soups?
I was cooking a green pea soup one day and added a pinch of curry powder which gave it a kick! Although I loved it, my wife did not. Have you ever tried curry green pea soup?

Ceara May 14, 2015 at 3:38 pm

Hi Stephane, I have a few soups with beans and lentils on my blog. This Vegetable Soup has lentils in it and is one of my faves 🙂 https://www.cearaskitchen.com/spring-vegetable-kitchen-sink-soup/. You can find my other soup recipes here -> https://www.cearaskitchen.com/spring-vegetable-kitchen-sink-soup/.

I love green pea curry soup. I’ve had it before and it’s absolutely delicious! 🙂 I love spicy food and curry so the more kick the better in my books!

carol copps April 26, 2015 at 1:30 pm

This is simmering on my stove right now. Added celery and zucchini to the pot as well as two bay leaves. Looking forward to a bowl of my favourite girls soup for lunch. The only thing missing is Ceara! Hugs!

Doug February 20, 2015 at 4:17 pm

This looks tasty – do you have anything to recommend as a garnish to add some color? Maybe sour cream or parsley on top?

Ceara February 23, 2015 at 8:41 am

Sour Cream or Parsley sound like delicious garnishes! Yogurt or chives would make lovely garnishes as well! Let me know how the soup turns out if you end up making it! Happy Cooking!

anna @ annamayeveryday February 11, 2015 at 2:10 pm

Love the look of that soup. so hearty and warming, perfect for this cold weather!

The Vegan 8 January 21, 2015 at 9:31 pm

This is my kind of soup Ceara! I love one pot meals and I love peas and soups. I could eat soup everyday of my life, haha! This one looks so delicious. I bet some smoked paprika would be really delicious in it too, yum! I love smoked paprika with lentils or peas! Super cool that your exams are over too 🙂

Ceara January 22, 2015 at 10:43 am

Thanks, Brandi! One pot meals and soup are my jam! I could eat soup everyday too and be perfectly content (even in the summer lol!). Smoked paprika would make a delicious addition – I just recently discovered it over the holidays and am in love with it’s unique and smokey flavor!

Isadora January 19, 2015 at 4:41 am

Yah for your exams being done!! That must feel so nice! Green Pea soup is one of my favorites! Although it was probably almost 80 degrees here today, I’m still feeling the soup and wishing I had a big bowl of this right now !

Ceara January 19, 2015 at 12:30 pm

Thanks, Izzy! Wish I could send some your way! I’m jealous of your warm weather – it’s be fun if we could switch climates for a week 😀

Hadia January 18, 2015 at 10:43 am

This definitely sounds like comfort food, Ceara! Glad to know that you enjoyed your vacation with your family in Canada. And welcome back dear!

Ceara January 19, 2015 at 12:30 pm

<3 Thank you so much, Hadia!!! Hope you're having a wonderful week!

Medha @ Whisk & Shout January 16, 2015 at 2:48 pm

I finished exams yesterday! Congrats on finishing yours! This soup looks filling and delicious 🙂

Ceara January 19, 2015 at 12:31 pm

CONGRATS on finishing your exams, Medha!!! <3 Thanks!

Rachel @ Bakerita January 16, 2015 at 4:42 am

Congrats on finishing exams!! Such a good feeling, and this soup looks absolutely delicious! I love how hearty and comforting it is.

Ceara January 19, 2015 at 12:34 pm

Thanks, Rachel!! <3

Manali @ CookWithManali January 15, 2015 at 11:05 pm

So glad to know you are done with your exams Ceara! 🙂 The soup looks fantastic, I just had lentl soup for my lunch..!

Ceara January 19, 2015 at 12:35 pm

Yay! Lentil soup makes the BEST lunch! Thanks, Manali!

Kelly - Life Made Sweeter January 15, 2015 at 6:49 pm

Welcome back, Ceara! So glad you made it home safe and handed in your last round of papers! It’s been so cold here and this stick-to-the-bone soup is exactly what we need to warm up! It looks so hearty and delicious!

Ceara January 19, 2015 at 12:37 pm

Thanks, Kelly!! It feels great to be back! Hope you’re having a great week!

Mira January 15, 2015 at 4:12 pm

It is always nice to take a break from blogging, especially when you have stuff to do for school! I love split pea soup and would love to try this recipe soon! Pinned of course!

Ceara January 19, 2015 at 12:38 pm

Thanks so much, Mira! Hope you’re having a great week!

Cheryl January 15, 2015 at 2:59 pm

Mmmmm! THis is JUST what I need these days. It’s so freaking cold outside so I want something nourishing and hearty but nothing sounds too good.. this would be just perfect! And you can make a huge batch and eat it over the week. Mmmm!!!

Ceara January 19, 2015 at 12:39 pm

I LOVE the idea of making a huge batch and eating it throughout the week! Soup always tastes better the next day anyways – what an awesome idea! Thanks, Cheryl 😀

Jenn January 15, 2015 at 2:24 pm

This looks great! I love split pea soup!

Ceara January 19, 2015 at 12:40 pm

Thanks so much, Jenn!

Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice January 15, 2015 at 1:37 pm

So glad you made it back safe and sound, Ceara! Sounds like you had a wonderful time being home and taking a break from school. And hooray for exams being over with! I’m sure that’s a relief.I love the looks of this soup! Green pea soup reminds me of my Grandma, because she always used to make split pea soup. I know it’s not quite the same as this, but very similar! I love how thick and full of flavor this is. Definitely perfect to warm up with after the freezing cold temps that have been gracing my area. Pinned! Hope you have a wonderful week, friend!

Ceara January 19, 2015 at 12:45 pm

Thanks so much, Gayle! Grandmother’s recipes are always the best – I love when I come across a dish that reminds me of my great-grandma and she used to make a split pea soup like this one as well! She saved all her recipes for us so I have to go and dig it up one of these days. Hope you’re doing great!

Michelle January 15, 2015 at 1:36 pm

I’m definitely saving this recipe! I love split pea soup, although I’ve never made it myself…perfect winter meal for sure!

Ceara January 19, 2015 at 12:27 pm

Thanks, Michelle! I hope you <3 it!

Linda @ Veganosity January 15, 2015 at 1:26 pm

Congratulations on finishing this round of exams! I’m assuming that you have a new semester ahead of you? If so, best of luck with your new classes. 🙂 This soup looks very hearty and comforting for a cold winter’s night. Thanks for sharing the recipe with us.

Ceara January 19, 2015 at 12:25 pm

Thanks, Linda! I have one more semester ahead of me and then I’m done my Master’s! Hope you’re having a great week! 😀

Sarah@Whole and Heavenly Oven January 15, 2015 at 1:19 pm

Yaaay for exams being over and done with! Hopefully now you can catch your breath and things can settle down for a bit. 🙂 And this soup? Totally ticking off all my yum boxes right now. I absolutely love a good split pea soup, and it definitely looks like your mom mastered this one!

Ceara January 19, 2015 at 12:25 pm

Thanks so much, Sarah!! <3

Laura @ RYG January 15, 2015 at 12:27 pm

HI Ceara! Glad you’re back safe in Belgium. There is nothing like a good hearty ~ stick-to-the bone soup in the dead of winter. I could eat soup non-stop until spring. Nothing looks particularly difficult either to do, think I can manage, Ha! And those papers….ah, they are get done, don’t they in good time! Good luck =)

Ceara January 19, 2015 at 12:23 pm

Thanks, Laura! I couldn’t agree more! Nothing beats a hearty and delicious soup on a chilly day!!

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