Joe's Split Pea Bacon Ham Potato Soup

Warm up with the hearty, comforting flavors of Joe’s Split Pea Bacon Ham Potato Soup—a rich and satisfying one-pot masterpiece. Bursting with protein-packed split peas, tender russet potatoes, smoky bacon, and savory ham, this soup is a perfect balance of texture and taste. Aromatics like garlic, onion, carrots, and celery are gently sautéed to build a flavorful base, while dried thyme and a single bay leaf infuse the broth with herbaceous warmth. Slow simmering creates a velvety texture, enhanced by the addition of crispy bacon crumbles for a delightful finishing touch. Ideal for cozy family dinners or batch cooking on chilly days, this classic split pea soup recipe is a must-try comfort food. Perfectly customizable, gluten-free, and loaded with wholesome ingredients, it’s sure to become a staple in your recipe collection!

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:110 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound split peas
• 6 slices bacon
• 2 cups ham (cubed)
• 3 medium russet potatoes (peeled and diced)
• 2 medium carrots (chopped)
• 2 celery stalks (chopped)
• 1 large onion (diced)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 8 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for cooking)
• 1 cup water (if needed for consistency)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse and drain the split peas thoroughly. Set aside.

Step 2

In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon, crumble it, and set aside. Reserve about 1 tablespoon of the bacon fat in the pot (you can use olive oil instead if preferred).

Step 3

Add the diced onion, chopped carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables start to soften.

Step 4

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute, until fragrant.

Step 5

Add the rinsed split peas, cubed ham, chicken or vegetable broth, bay leaf, dried thyme, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir to combine.

Step 6

Increase the heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 7

Add the diced potatoes to the pot and continue simmering for another 30–40 minutes, or until the peas and potatoes are tender and the soup has thickened. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 8

Adjust the consistency of the soup by adding water if needed. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper if necessary.

Step 9

Remove and discard the bay leaf. Stir in the crumbled bacon just before serving, reserving a small amount for garnish if desired.

Step 10

Serve the soup warm, garnished with the reserved bacon crumbles. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(4328.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2330.8

Total Fat 63.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 18.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.7g
Cholesterol 283.6mg	0%
Sodium 17032.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 263.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 57.0g	0%
Total Sugars 44.9g
Protein 182.9g	0%

Vitamin D 7.7IU	0%
Calcium 451.6mg	0%
Iron 14.8mg	0%
Potassium 7232.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 24.3%

Protein: 31.0%

Carbs: 44.7%