Smokey Split Pea Soup With Bacon

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Smooth, creamy and perfectly smokey. Classic split pea soup made with savoury bone broth and smoked bacon. Perfect for a cozy night in or an easy make-ahead one-pot meal.

Split pea soup is such a classic! This recipe is on constant rotation in my family all year round because it’s seriously delicious and super easy to make.

This healthy split pea soup is far from bland! The sautéed bacon adds a delicious savoury, smokey twist.

This soup is an easy one-pot recipe that is virtually mess-free, easy to make ahead, and makes the perfect healthy side, lunch, or dinner.

How To Make This Easy Split Pea Soup

1.

Add the tallow (or lard) to a pot and melt on medium-high heat.

Finely dice the onion and sauté on the melted tallow until fragrant and golden. Add the pressed garlic and sauté for another minute.

2.

Next, dice the bacon into small bite-sized pieces and add it to the sautéed onion. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the bacon starts turning golden and crispy.

Onions, garlic and bacon in a pot

3.

Pour in the split peas and sauté for 2-3 minutes. Add the bone broth and top up the remainder with water.

Easy split pea soup recipe

Add in the spices and give it a good stir.

Dry spices added to a split pea soup

4.

Bring to a boil on high heat and then reduce to a simmer. Cover the pot with a lid and let cook for 30-40 minutes.

Periodically, peek in on the soup and give it a good stir making sure to stir from the bottom of the bottom to prevent sticking.

The final cook time depends on your desired texture. For a smoother soup, cook longer until the split peas are cooked and almost completely broken down. If you like some texture, cook for a shorter time.

See what I mean? This yellow split pea soup with bacon is probably one of the easiest soups you’ll ever make, and it’s seriously delicious!

Healthy split pea soup with fresh baked bread
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Healthy split pea soup with fresh baked bread

Smokey Split Pea Soup With Bacon

  • Author: Tess
  • Total Time: 35
  • Yield: 8 Servings 1x
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Description

Creamy, smooth and smokey. A super easy, healthy split pea soup with bacon, perfect for cozy nights in or an easy make-ahead lunch.

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 Tablespoon beef tallow
  • 1 Medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3–4 Garlic cloves, crushed
  • 6–8 Strips of bacon, diced
  • 1 cup yellow split peas
  • 4 cups bone broth
  • *Optional: 2 Carrots, peeled and chopped; 4 Large potatoes, peeled and chopped

Spices

  • 4 Bay leaves
  • 1 Tbsp Marjoram
  • Salt, to taste
  • Pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Add the tallow (or lard) to a pot and melt on medium-high heat. Finely dice the onion and sauté on the melted tallow until fragrant and golden. Add the pressed garlic and sauté for another minute.

  2. Next, dice the bacon into small bite-sized pieces and add it to the sautéed onion. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the bacon turns golden and crispy.
  3. Pour in the split peas and sauté for 2-3 minutes. Add the bone broth and top up the remainder with water.
  4. Add the dried spices and stir well.
  5. *Optional: If desired, add in the chopped carrots and potatoes.

  6. Bring to a boil on high heat and then reduce to a simmer. Cover the pot with a lid and cook for 30-40 minutes. Periodically, stir the soup well, making sure to stir from the bottom to prevent sticking.

Notes

  • To make this soup vegetarian, substitute butter instead of tallow and omit the bacon.
  • For a heartier soup, add carrots and potatoes.
  • For a smoother soup, cook longer until the split peas separate and dissolve.
  • Prep Time: 5
  • Cook Time: 30
  • Category: Lunch
  • Method: One-Pot

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Frequently Asked Questions

I don’t have yellow split peas. Can I substitute them for something else?

Absolutely! My recipes are always designed to be easy and flexible. If you’re out of yellow split peas, you can swap for green split peas or even red lentils.

I don’t have beef tallow. What should I use?

I use beef tallow as the fat source in most recipes because of its incredible nutritional benefits, but I know it’s not available to everyone. If you’re having a hard time finding tallow, you can substitute pork or duck lard, ghee, or grass-fed butter.

I strongly encourage you to avoid seed oils and swap for these healthy alternatives instead.

I want a heartier soup. What can I add?

This soup is smooth and not very stew-like. However, if you want something heartier, you can add chopped carrots and potatoes as added vegetables.

Best ways to eat this soup?

This yellow split pea soup is so versatile! Eat it as a first course, as a side with a sandwich or salad, or pack it as a work lunch with seed crackers. My favourite is eating it with fresh homemade sourdough and grass-fed butter!