One can look at it two ways: I either have a shortage of storage space or, I reluctantly admit, I have too much stuff. Well, I have a partner-in-crime but my husband will never admit it. We’ve been quite the enthusiastic consumers lately and I’m beginning to feel like if I’m not careful, my home may start to look like one of those on that hoarder show.
Perhaps I exaggerate but the overflow books scattered throughout the house and the blog props no longer fitting in their designated closet might be a hint that the problem may not be the lack of space. My parents use a phrase when referring to clutter and disarray: They say their eyes itch. Well, my eyes are itching at the sight of certain spots in my home that need some attention. Friends and family who visit may not see what I see but I know we can make much better use of the space we have. From the linen closet to the kitchen pantry, I need to do some reorganizing. Everything will be classified “stay” or “go” and one key criteria will be the amount of use a particular item gets in the kitchen.
Enter my slow cooker. Admittedly, I don’t use it as much as I should–maybe a few times a year?–but when I do, I’m always so happy that I have it. Maybe if I had a bigger family I would find more need for it but I don’t cook large-batch dishes often enough. But soups are another story. Those recipes that require a long simmer time are ideal candidates for countertop cooking.
This split pea soup had its start on the stove but I let my slow cooker do all the work while I busied myself with errands and chores last weekend. In just two hours I had a hearty, tasty soup that ended up lasting us a few days, only getting better each time I reheated it. This soup is completely meat free but feel free to use a meat stock and/or a ham bone but I promise you that you won’t need either.
My husband announced a day or two ago that he has cleared a cabinet in the kitchen of long-unused items and offered the space for the small items without a home. Instead of jumping at the chance to fill it with random items, I committed to re-arranging all the other drawers and cabinets to see how we can optimize our space. I’m already sure of one thing: some things will have to go but my slow cooker will always have a place with me.
Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup
Ingredients
- 3 shallots chopped
- 3-4 stalks celery chopped
- 2 small carrots chopped
- 2 1/2 cups yellow split peas
- 6 cups stock give or take one cup depending how thick or thin you like your soup
- 2-3 heaping teaspoons no-salt seasoning (mine has a mixture of dried herbs onion, garlic and pepper.
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme leaves separated from the stems
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
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In large pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat then add the shallots, celery, carrots and thyme. Sauté for 3-4 minutes or until the shallots start to caramelize. Add the no-salt seasoning, curry powder and split peas and cook for another minute or two. If you like, you can add a couple of pinches of salt at this point, too.
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Add the stock and bring to a boil.
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Once the stock boils transfer the entire contents of the pot to the slow cooker and cook on high for about two hours (or low for 3-4 hours). Check the soup once or twice to make sure that enough liquid covers the beans. Don't be tempted to add too much stock at once because the slow cooker will create moisture, too. I added 4 cups initially and later added the last two cups. Also taste for seasoning. I added a bit more salt and seasoning during the cooking time. This will create a medium-thick soup and tastes even better the next day.
Recipe Notes
If you decide to cook the recipe completely in the slow cooker, this should work, too. Just combine all the ingredients in the slow cooker. Bear in mind that the cold stock will double the cook time.
I haven’t had split pea soup in years, but yours looks so tasty – I love the curry and thyme additions!
Yes please, I will take 3 🙂
That looks delicious! 😀
you have inspired me to dust of my slow cooker! I love split pea soup and your recipe sounds really tasty. Love the curry!
I love how chunky this soup looks. Split Pea is often smooth but this makes me want to dive right in!!
De-cluttering can be exhausting work, this soup looks like the perfect way to refuel!
p.s. Let me know if you have any unwanted props! 😀
Jean, I swear I am reading my own story. My husband won’t admit that his soccer gear is TOO MUCH! And I won’t admit that all the photo props and food are TOO MUCH! 🙂
BUT, the soup looks wonderful… the weather is not budging around here so this will definitely hit the spot!
Love that hubby cleared a cabinet for you. We too bring in to much stuff and don’t edit enough out of the house. Trying to get better. Smile. I bought a slow cooker several months ago and I have to admit that it is still in the box. You have inspired me to take it out and start using it. This soup might just have to be the inagural dish that I make in it. It looks simply divine!!!
I’ve been following you for a while, In fact have tried your roasted chickpeas with parmesan recipe. We loved it, was a great movie snack. I’ve made a similar soup with roasted butternut. But this sounds wonderful. Bookmarked to try this one.
Thank you so much for your sweet comment. I’m so glad you like what you see here and I so appreciate the positive feedback on my recipe. I love the idea of adapting this recipe for roasted butternut squash–sounds wonderful!
It’s one of my favorite soup when I was working… I never made soup for myself before (I thought of eating the same soup for more than 3 days and gave up making a big batch), so I always relying on eating split pea soup outside. Now I miss those days… I thought I could eat with 3 more people to eat now but none of my family enjoy as much as I do. WHY!!! Love love love your soup!!
I have been on the hunt for a good slow-cooker split pea soup recipe for quite some time now. Yours will be the one I try. It looks hearty and delicious!
Just perfect for cold days like today!
Hi there. The current Food on Friday on Carole’s Chatter is collecting links to dishes using peas and/or green beans. I do hope you link this in. This is the link . Please do check out some of the other links – there are some good ones already. Cheers
Just made this – I threw it all in the crockpot instead of going through the stove top steps. SO easy and delicious. The texture was similar to potato soup but it was more flavorful and healthier! Perfect blend of seasoning. It’s addicting! I’ll definitely be making it again.
Helen, I’m so glad you liked this recipe and I’m happy to hear that you did it all in the slow cooker. Thanks so much for the feedback! 🙂
I am kind of a soup “newbie” Are the peas dried or rehydrated or from a can and how would I use a hambone? Would I just make a stock from the hambone to use and add chunks of ham if I chose to?
Hi, Leslie. These are dried peas. If using a slow cooker you wouldn’t have to do anything beforehand–just throw them into the cooker. As for the hambone, you can add that to the cooker, as well. It will impart more flavor to the soup. If you have other questions, feel free to ask. 🙂
Gorgeous soup! Love the flavours. If only the neighbours had returned my crockpot 🙂
I may throw this on the stove and just let it simmer until the peas are mushy.
POURQUOI LES RECETTES NE SONT PAS EN FRANCAIS ? MERCI!
Linda Bernier
Linda,
Je suis désolé . Je voudrais savoir comment parler français . Je vais voir sur l’installation de Google Translate sur le blog . Merci ! 🙂
Just made this and it’s just as good as it looks everyone! I was wondering if the creator had experience freezing it?
Hi Emma. Glad you like this soup. I haven’t tried freezing this yet but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. There’s nothing in the ingredients that might alter the character of this soup so it’s worth a try. I just haven’t ever had enough leftovers to freeze. 🙂
This is a great recipe. I have made it so many times now. I add 1 heaping tablespoon of curry powder. This is one of my favorite soups now.
Cara, so glad to hear this. I really appreciate your feedback and I’m happy that you found a recipe that you like here. Thank you!
Split pea is one of my very favorite soups, and this one looks absolutely wonderful! I can’t wait to try it.
This soup is delicious! I made it a while ago and like this better than green split pea soup, it has a more subtle taste. I am making this again because it is a rainy summer day here today. Thanks for sharing this lovely recipe.
Hi, Patricia. I’m so glad you like this soup. Thanks so much for trying it and I hope it continues to give you warmth and comfort during the coming cold season. 🙂
Made this and it came out perfect! It also froze really well for work lunches. It does need a little hot water after reheating to get it back to a wetter consistency. Going to make it again today and add some peas. Thanks for the recipe!
Thank you so much for the feedback on the split pea soup. I’m so glad you liked the recipe and I appreciate the note about how well it freezes. Yes, split pea soup does have a way of getting super thick so I often have to add liquid as I reheat, too. Thank you so much again!
This recipe was so tasteful! I would recommend cooking it for 4 hours in the crockpot instead of 2. The peas are still pretty hard at 2hrs. Also, I added more curry powder, thyme, and no1salt seasoning than the recipe had, plus more celery the second time I made it. SO GOOD!
Elise, thanks for trying this recipe and I’m so glad you liked it. Glad you made it your own with your adjustments. Thank you for the nice feedback! 🙂