Looking for a way to use up that leftover ham and stock from your roast? This Hearty Split Pea Soup is the perfect comfort food, packed with flavour and made with simple ingredients you likely already have. Let’s turn those leftovers into a delicious, warming meal!

Ingredients

• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• 1 carrot, finely diced
• Ham bone (from your roasted ham) and 11/2 - 2 cups leftover diced ham
• 2 cups ham stock (leftover from your roast)
• 2 cups water
• 1 ½ cups split peas (rinsed)
• 1 bay leaf
• 4-5 sprigs of fresh thyme
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Method

1. Prep the Ingredients

FInely dice onion and carrots. Rinse the split peas under cold water to remove any dust or debris. No need to soak the peas beforehand!

2. Sauté the Vegetables

In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat a little oil or butter over medium heat. Better yet! If you have any pork fat leftover from roasting the ham, use that! Add the diced onions, sweat 4-5 minutes until they begin to soften without any caramelization. Add carrots, and sauté for about 3-4 minutes longer. The gentle sauté helps build the flavor base for the soup.

3. Add the Ham Bone and Stock

Place your ham bone into the pot, reserve diced ham to add later.  Pour in the ham stock and water. The stock will add a rich depth of flavor, making the soup taste like it’s been simmering all day!

4. Add Split Peas and Seasonings

Stir in the rinsed split peas, bay leaf, and thyme sprigs. Add a pinch of salt and a good grind of black pepper. Remember, you can always adjust the salt at the end, especially since the ham stock may already be salty.

5. Simmer the Soup

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for about 1 to 1 ½ hours. Stir occasionally to prevent the peas from sticking to the bottom. The split peas will gradually break down, thickening the soup as it cooks.

6. Adjust Seasoning and Serve

Once the split peas are soft and the soup has thickened, taste for seasoning. Add more salt or pepper if needed. For a creamier texture, you can blend a portion of the soup with an immersion blender, but I love leaving it chunky for that rustic feel.

Remove the ham bone and thyme sprigs, along with diced ham just before serving. If there’s still some ham on the bone, pick it off and add it back into the soup for extra flavor.

7. Enjoy!

Ladle your hearty split pea soup into bowls and serve with crusty bread or crackers on the side. This soup gets better with time, so feel free to make it ahead – leftovers are just as delicious!

Tips from a Chef

• Don’t have ham stock? You can substitute it with chicken or vegetable stock, but the ham stock really makes this dish sing!
• Make it your own: Add a touch of smoked paprika for a deeper flavor or toss in some diced potatoes or celery for extra veggies.
• Storage: This soup stores well in the fridge for up to 3 days and can be frozen for up to 3 months.

This Hearty Split Pea Soup is the perfect way to warm up on a chilly day and make the most of your leftovers. It’s nutritious, filling, and packed with that irresistible smoky ham flavor. Enjoy!