Split peas are a versatile and nutritious legume that can be used in many dishes. They are not only packed with protein and fiber, but they also add a rich, earthy flavor to soups, stews, and salads. In this article, I will instruct you how to cook split peas in 2 different ways
1. Do Split Peas Need To Be Soaked Before Cooking?
One of the most common questions when it comes to cooking split peas is whether or not they need to be soaked. Unlike some other legumes, split peas do not require soaking before cooking. This makes them a convenient option for busy cooks or those who prefer a quicker meal preparation.
2. How To Cook Split Peas in Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup diced smoked ham
- 2 cups dried split peas, rinsed and drained
- 6 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional toppings: croutons, chopped fresh parsley, or a dollop of yogurt
Instructions
Set your Instant Pot to “Sauté” mode and heat the olive oil. Add the diced onion, carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
Add the diced smoked ham and ground cumin to the Instant Pot. Sauté for an additional 2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Add the rinsed split peas, vegetable or chicken broth, bay leaf, salt, and pepper to the Instant Pot. Stir well to combine.
Close the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to the sealing position.
Select the “Soup” or “Pressure Cook” function on your Instant Pot and set the cooking time to 15 minutes at high pressure.
After the cooking time is complete, allow for a natural release of pressure for about 10 minutes. Then, carefully perform a quick release to release any remaining pressure.
Open the Instant Pot lid and remove the bay leaf. Use an immersion blender to blend a portion of the soup until you reach your desired consistency. Alternatively, you can transfer a portion of the soup to a blender, blend until smooth, and then return it to the Instant Pot.
Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, if needed.
Serve the Instant Pot split pea soup hot, garnished with optional toppings such as croutons, chopped fresh parsley, or a dollop of yogurt.
3. How To Cook Split Peas in Crock Pot
Ingredients
- 1 meaty ham bone
- 2 cups dried split peas, rinsed and drained
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 2 cups water
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional toppings: croutons, chopped fresh parsley, or a dollop of yogurt
Instructions
Place the meaty ham bone in the slow cooker (Crockpot).
Add the rinsed split peas, diced onion, carrots, celery, minced garlic, vegetable or chicken broth, water, bay leaf, dried thyme, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker. Stir well to combine.
Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours. The exact cooking time may vary depending on your slow cooker.
Once the cooking time is complete, carefully remove the ham bone from the slow cooker. Remove any meat from the bone and dice it into small pieces. Discard any excess fat or gristle.
Return the diced ham to the slow cooker and stir it into the soup. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, if needed.
Serve the crockpot split pea soup hot, garnished with optional toppings
I hope that after reading this article, you know how to cook split peas in Instant Pot and Crock Pot perfectly at home. Good luck