Leftover Holiday Ham Split Pea Soup

Transform your holiday leftovers into a bowl of comfort with this hearty and flavorful Leftover Holiday Ham Split Pea Soup. Perfect for repurposing a ham bone or leftover ham chunks, this recipe delivers a thick, velvety soup packed with tender split peas, aromatic vegetables, and a smoky, savory depth. With just 15 minutes of prep and a slow simmer to bring out the flavors, each spoonful is a warm embrace of wholesome ingredients like carrots, celery, and garlic, all enhanced by dried thyme and bay leaves. Serve it as a satisfying main dish, garnished with fresh parsley for an added touch of brightness. Ideal for chilly evenings or meal prepping, this classic split pea soup is a delicious way to embrace sustainability while feeding your family.

Nutriscore Rating: 79/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:105 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 medium celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 pound dried split peas, rinsed
• 1 piece ham bone or leftover ham chunks
• 8 cups chicken broth
• 2 pieces bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery to the pot, and sauté for 5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Stir in the rinsed split peas, ham bone or leftover ham chunks, chicken broth, bay leaves, thyme, salt, and black pepper.

Step 5

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for about 75-90 minutes, or until the split peas are tender and the soup has thickened.

Step 6

Occasionally stir the soup and skim off any foam that rises to the surface.

Step 7

Once the soup has finished cooking, remove the ham bone and bay leaves. If using, shred any meat from the ham bone and return it to the pot.

Step 8

If you prefer a smoother texture, use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup, leaving some chunks for texture, or blend half of it in a regular blender and return it to the pot.

Step 9

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper, if needed.

Step 10

Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2852.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2246.1

Total Fat 39.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 7.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 40mg	0%
Sodium 7797.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 326.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 122.2g	0%
Total Sugars 53.5g
Protein 159.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 576.9mg	0%
Iron 30.1mg	0%
Potassium 7268.3mg	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: 15.4%

Protein: 27.8%

Carbs: 56.8%