American · Lunch

Instant Pot Split Pea Soup

Dried green split peas, carrots and a ham hock pressure cooked into a thick soup with no soaking. Six servings in 40 minutes.

Not yet ratedThis recipe has no ratings yet 40 min total Serves 6 servings Easy
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Before You Start

Add a spoonful of oil to limit foaming.

Fill the pot no more than half.

Taste before salting; the ham is salty.

Thin with hot water if the soup thickens too much.

Making Instant Pot Split Pea Soup

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  1. Set the pot to sauté. Heat the oil and cook the onion, carrots and celery for 5 minutes.

  2. Add the split peas, ham hock, water, bay leaves and pepper. Stir and check the pot is no more than half full.

  3. Lock the pressure cooker lid, set the valve to sealing and pressure cook on high for 15 minutes. Release the pressure naturally for 15 minutes.

  4. Lift out the hock, shred the meat and return it to the pot, discarding the skin and bones. Stir well and remove the bay leaves.

Why the Method Works

Split peas need no soaking and break down completely under pressure, which is how the soup gets thick with no blending. The 15 minutes in the pot does what an hour at a simmer would.

The hazard is foam. Split peas foam as they heat, and the foam can block the steam valve, so add a spoonful of oil to the pot and keep the liquid below the maximum line. Never fill the pot more than half with peas and liquid.

A ham hock gives the flavour: smoky, salty and deep. It cooks with the peas and comes out tender enough to shred. Taste before adding any salt, since the hock brings plenty.

After 15 minutes under pressure, release naturally for 15. The soup will look thin, then thicken fast when stirred. Shred the ham, return it to the pot and thin with hot water if the soup is too stiff.

Storage and Reheating

Keeps in the fridge for up to 4 days and thickens. Freezes for up to 3 months.

Good With

  • Crusty bread
  • Rye bread
  • Mustard
  • Green salad

Still Wondering?

How long does Instant Pot Split Pea Soup take to make?

About 40 minutes in total — 10 minutes of preparation and 30 minutes of cooking. The recipe serves 6.

What are the key tips for making Instant Pot Split Pea Soup?

Add a spoonful of oil to limit foaming. Fill the pot no more than half. Taste before salting; the ham is salty. Thin with hot water if the soup thickens too much.

What should I serve with Instant Pot Split Pea Soup?

Crusty bread; Rye bread; Mustard; Green salad.

Can Instant Pot Split Pea Soup be made ahead or frozen?

Keeps in the fridge for up to 4 days and thickens. Freezes for up to 3 months.

Is Instant Pot Split Pea Soup suitable for a special diet?

This recipe is dairy-free, gluten-free, high-protein and no added sugar. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.

How many calories are in Instant Pot Split Pea Soup?

About 390 kcal per serving, with 30 g protein, 45 g carbohydrate and 10 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.

Nutrition per Serving

Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.

390Calories
30gProtein
45gCarbs
10gFat
19gFibre
7gSugar
700mgSodium

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Written and tested by Turab

One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.