One of my all-time favorite comfort foods is a bowl of split pea soup, dating back to the days when my mother served us canned pea soup with cut-up hot dogs (very ’50s!). Now I prefer a big pot of homemade soup to serve with sautéed kielbasa on top. I love the way the earthy, creamy soup contrasts with the crispy, spicy sausage.
| Level: | Easy |
| Total: | 1 hr 45 min |
| Active: | 30 min |
| Yield: | 6 servings |
| Level: | Easy |
| Total: | 1 hr 45 min |
| Active: | 30 min |
| Yield: | 6 servings |
Ingredients
- Good olive oil
- 2 cups chopped leeks, white and light green parts, spun-dried (2 leeks)
- 1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onion (1 large)
- 2 cups (1/2-inch) diced, scrubbed carrots (3 large)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic (3 cloves)
- 1 pound dry green split peas
- 8 cups good chicken stock, preferably homemade
- 1 smoked ham hock
- 8 fresh thyme sprigs, tied with kitchen twine
- 2 large fresh bay leaves
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 12 ounces smoked kielbasa, halved lengthwise and sliced diagonally in 1/4-inch-thick pieces
- Minced fresh parsley, for serving
Instructions
- Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in a large (11 to 12-inch) pot or Dutch oven, such as Le Creuset, over medium-high heat. Add the leeks, onion, and carrots and cook for 7 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender and starting to brown. Stir in the garlic and cook for one minute. Stir in the peas to coat with oil and cook for one minute. Add 8 cups of the chicken stock, 2 cups water, the ham hock, thyme bundle, bay leaves, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer, partially covered, for 1 1/4 hours, stirring occasionally, until the peas are very tender and falling apart. After 45 minutes, stir more frequently, scraping the bottom of the pot to be sure the soup doesn’t burn.
- Discard the thyme bundle, bay leaves, and ham hock. Transfer 2 cups of the soup to the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade and purée. Return the purée to the pot, adding more chicken stock or water if the soup is too thick.
- To serve, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a medium (10 to 11-inch) sauté pan over medium heat. Add the kielbasa and sauté for 5 to 6 minutes, tossing occasionally, until the kielbasa is browned. Serve the soup hot with the kielbasa and parsley sprinkled on top.
- Make ahead: Reheat the soup over low heat, adding chicken stock or water to thin.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving Size | 1 of 6 servings |
| Calories | 840 |
| Total Fat | 39 g |
| Saturated Fat | 10 g |
| Carbohydrates | 75 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 20 g |
| Sugar | 13 g |
| Protein | 51 g |
| Cholesterol | 93 mg |
| Sodium | 1524 mg |
| Serving Size | 1 of 6 servings |
| Calories | 840 |
| Total Fat | 39 g |
| Saturated Fat | 10 g |
| Carbohydrates | 75 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 20 g |
| Sugar | 13 g |
| Protein | 51 g |
| Cholesterol | 93 mg |
| Sodium | 1524 mg |
Reviews
I made this yesterday and it turned out fantastic. I substituted ham for the kielbasa, otherwise followed it exactly. Used an immersion blender at the end. Highly recommend this recipe, it will not disappoint!
Making this soup again today. This recipe is full of good taste and comfort which are both needed in this time of discord.
I feel like the universe dropped this recipe in my lap right when I needed it. Made the recipe exactly as is. This was the comfort meal my family needed tonight. The only thing we added was a fresh loaf from our bakery. This soup was the warm hug I needed. Thanks Ina!
This was over the top delicious. My husband is not a big pea soup fan, but he loved this. I didn’t purée it at all. Loved the
consistency. Thank you Ina, again.
consistency. Thank you Ina, again.
Delicious!! The only problem was that the peas were undercooked, so next time I will pre soak them for a few hours. I cut the recipe in half and it worked out perfectly.
This was super comforting and delicious on a football Sunday in December. I added a little broth until it was a nice consistency after puréeing the soup with my immersion blender. I served this with potato biscuits with chives and salad. We love split pea soup, but the kielbasa in this recipe put it over the top!
Delicious! The immersion blender part is key as are the kielbasa. So good!
Phyllis B. October 12, 2022
Have made this recipe several times and planning to make it again today. Delicious! Ina’s chicken soup is also fabulous. I went out and bought an 18 quart pot just for that recipe. Never disappoints.
Have made this recipe several times and planning to make it again today. Delicious! Ina’s chicken soup is also fabulous. I went out and bought an 18 quart pot just for that recipe. Never disappoints.
This is wonderful as is. Can not beat Ina’s comfort cooking. Puts Greg and I in a happy place when we have this.
This was amazing and so good that I’m posting a rating for the first time. My husband said that it was the best soup he’s ever tasted, and one of his favorite things I’ve ever made. I omitted the kielbasa due to personal preference but otherwise followed the recipe.
Made this soup tonight and as usual Ina doesn’t disappoint. The hardest thing about this recipe was finding split peas and leeks. I made it exact to the recipe and we loved it with cornbread. Can’t wait to eat it again for lunch tomorrow.