The Best Easy Recipe for Split Pea Soup with Bacon

This easy recipe for Split Pea Soup with Bacon is the perfect way to cozy up on a cold fall evening. Go ahead and give this updated version of the classic Split Pea Soup a try. It is loaded with a lot of flavor thanks to onions, garlic, carrots, potatoes, fresh thyme, and smoky bacon. This hearty Split Pea Soup recipe is perfect for dinner tonight because know you’ll love it.

Making this Easy Split Pea Soup with Bacon

We have had on and off cold and beautiful weather and I think fall is trying to come to an end here. But, I’m definitely not ready for that. This weekend was gorgeous on Saturday and cold again by Sunday.

Cold weather makes me want to make a big hearty meal and so that is what we had – Split Pea Soup with Bacon, Homemade Bread, and I even made dessert.

What I Love About Split Pea Soup with Bacon

Split Pea Soup was always one of my favorite soup recipes that we had after the holidays when I was a kid. I like this updated classic recipe even more! 5 reasons I think this is the best pea soup recipe:

• Split Pea Soup is a simple recipe that is easy to make with barely any prep time. No complicated ingredients or time consuming methods when preparing this filling soup recipe!
• This soup is hearty and filling – a great recipe that is total comfort food on a cold day!
• It has so much flavor and a hint of smoky flavor thanks to the crispy bacon.
• I love that it is a versatile recipe – you can use leftover ham in place of bacon or try different root vegetables.
• This hearty Split Pea Soup doubles well for freezing. Easily keep your freezer stocked for weekday lunches or busy evenings.

Ingredients in this Bacon Split Pea Soup Recipe

This is an easy soup recipe that requires mostly very simple ingredients. So, here’s what you’ll need to make this tasty Split Pea Soup with Bacon:

• Yellow Onion
• Garlic
• Olive Oil
• Salt
• Black Pepper
• Bay Leaves
• Dried Oregano
• Dried Thyme Leaves
• Sprig of Fresh Thyme
• Parsley
• Center Cut Bacon
• Carrots
• Celery
• Red Potatoes
• Dried Green Split Peas
• Chicken Stock
• Water

For the complete ingredient list and detailed instructions, scroll to the bottom of this post for the FREE printable recipe card.

Tools Needed to Make Split Pea Soup with Bacon

To prepare this pea soup recipe, you’ll need: a cutting board, sharp knives, measuring spoons, measuring cups, a vegetable peeler, a large stock pot or large dutch oven, and a wooden spoon.

For serving, you’ll need: a soup ladle, your favorite soup bowls and soup spoons.

How Do You Make Split Pea Soup with Bacon From Scratch?

Here are the stove top instructions for preparing this simple recipe:

1. First, you will sauté the onions and garlic until they are tender. I like to use a large pot, like my Le Creuset French Oven to cook my soup in, however any large stockpot will do.
2. Then, after sautéing the onions and garlic over medium heat, add the seasonings and cook a few more minutes.
3. Next, you will need to add half of the split peas, bay leaf, chicken broth, and cold water.
4. After the mixture comes to a boil, let it boil over medium-high heat for 30 minutes.
5. Afterwards, add the remaining split peas and the bacon. Then, simmer for 15 minutes.
6. Lastly, add the fresh herbs, carrots, celery, and potatoes to the pea base and simmer for 35 more minutes, or until the peas and veggies reach your desired tenderness.

The above is simply a quick summary of this recipe. Check out the free printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for all the detailed instructions.

How to Make a Pureed Pea Soup Recipe

If you would like this Split Pea Soup with Bacon to be a slightly smoother soup with a creamy texture, then you can puree half of the soup (before adding the bacon) using a food processor or blender. But, make sure you remove the bay leaf before blending.

Or, for a completely blended soup, puree the entire pot of soup (before adding the bacon) using an immersion blender. And, don’t forget to remove the bay leaf first.

Make this Split Pea Soup Your Own!

The great thing about recipes like this is you can always change them up according to your preference. Here are some suggestions for making this split pea soup recipe your own:

If you have leftover ham, you can substitute that for the bacon. Have a leftover ham bone? Go ahead and throw that in this hearty soup, too.

If you want more (or less) potatoes, you can adjust that too.

Maybe you want more root vegetables, a great addition would be adding some parsnips to the mix.

Have a lot of sweet potatoes? Give sweet potatoes a try in this recipe in place of the regular potatoes or mix it up by using half of each.

For a pinch of heat, try adding 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes.

Can I Make a Vegetarian Split Pea Soup?

If you need a vegetarian soup, then you can omit the bacon. In addition, you’ll also need to sub the chicken broth for vegetable broth and increase the vegetables.

I haven’t tested out a vegetarian version myself, so you may want to experiment with the seasonings because leaving the bacon out will cause the soup to lose some of the flavor.

Recipe Substitutions For Split Pea Soup

However, I will say that I don’t recommend making a bunch of substitutions when preparing a new recipe – especially the first time. Why? Because, when making substitutes, you won’t know if you don’t like the recipe or if the recipe didn’t turn out due to a preparation mistake, an ill effect from the substitute, or something else.

So, it is best to only make one or two substitutes at a time. Otherwise, you may have a building effect of multiple poor substitutions.

Tips for Making the Best Bacon Split Pea Soup

• When you take the time to make a batch of homemade turkey stock with your leftover roasted turkey, this recipe for split pea soup is really over the top good.
• Cut the potatoes in small cubes of uniform size because then they will cook evenly. You don’t want some of the potatoes under cooked and others over cooked in the same pot of soup.
• Likewise, cut the carrots uniformly so they also cook evenly.
• Also, look for high quality thick center cut bacon at your grocery store, then use my homemade bacon bits guide to cook the bacon for this soup. Pat the bacon with a paper towel to remove excess grease before adding to the soup.
• Lastly, stir periodically so the soup doesn’t scorch on the bottom of the pot.

What to Serve with this Split Pea Bacon Soup

Add a sprinkling of freshly grated parmesan cheese on top when serving this soup – it is so good!

We love to serve this soup with crusty bread for dipping. If you’re up for making homemade bread, I especially love this Rustic Rosemary Garlic Bread. It tastes amazing dipped in the Split Pea Soup! Kids like it with grilled cheese.

Alternatively, for a different presentation, you could ladle the Bacon Split Pea Soup into bread bowl. You’ll have bread to dip in the soup and a fun serving presentation.

If you’re looking for vegetable side suggestions to go with this recipe, I recommend a big green salad, but it doesn’t have to be fancy at all. We often use mixed greens, lettuce, cucumber, shredded carrot, and tomato for a basic side salad. Check out these 3 Simple Salad Dressing Recipes to go along with your salad.

How to Store Split Pea Soup Leftovers

This homemade bacon split pea soup recipe serves 4 to 6 generously. Leftovers will keep up to five days in the fridge. If you need to store the leftover soup longer than that, then I recommend freezing your leftovers.

Can You Freeze Split Pea Soup?

Yes, this easy split pea soup recipe freezes incredibly well and is great for making large batches of to store for later on. To freeze the soup:

1. First, let the soup cool completely.
2. Then, seal soup inside a freezer bag(s) or freezer-safe container.
3. Next, label and store up to three months.
4. Lastly, to thaw the soup place it overnight in the fridge until ready to use. Reheat gently in a saucepan.

For more information on freezing Split Pea Soup with Bacon, check out my How to Freeze Soup tutorial.

More Easy Soup Recipes

Need more simple soup recipes for dinner? Maybe some of these suggestions will become family favorite recipes for your family like they are in ours! Don’t see what you’re looking for here? You can always head over to check out the recipe index and look for more recipes.

Short on time? This Slow Cooker Ham Soup takes just 15 minutes to prepare, then the slow cooker does all the work for you. Prep it before going to work, then enjoy a bowl once you’re back home!

Italian sausage lovers will adore this Italian Sausage Orzo Soup. It’s a chunky, hearty soup and pairs nicely with crusty bread.

This Pumpkin Black Bean Turkey Chili is made with a whole can of pumpkin, which makes it ultra thick and almost stew-like. Serve it over cornbread for a truly fantastic meal.

If you like Panera’s broccoli cheese soup, you’ll love this Cheesy Broccoli, Kale, Carrot Soup. It’s incredibly easy to make and is the perfect soup to warm you up on cold days.

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Try Split Pea Soup with Bacon at Home

Next time you’re craving a large bowl of soup, I hope you’ll give this delicious recipe a try! When you do try it, I’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment below and give this easy soup recipe a review for others to see.

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