Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup

With tender potatoes, rich ham, and creamy split peas, this hearty Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup is a hit with my whole family. And, I love how this soup transforms simple ingredients into a satisfying supper with so little effort. I didn’t expect to love this so much… but here we are. This one is a keeper.

That same low-and-slow magic is something I come back to again and again, especially when ham is involved. This split pea soup fits right into the lineup beside all my familiar favorites, like this slow cooker ham and potato soup. There’s nothing better than when I come back to the house after work and it is filled with the aroma of a tasty dinner that’s just waiting to be served.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Potatoes – I use baby red potatoes for this soup. Why? Because I like the color contrast in this soup, however you can use whichever potato you happen to have on hand.

Split Peas – Dried split peas are the whole point of this soup.

Leeks – I typically use leeks in this recipe. Green onions won’t yield as much flavor after they cook, but they will work in a pinch.

Onion – I use yellow onions for this recipe, however any type of round onion will work here.

Garlic – I am a big believer in fresh garlic. And, with my favorite garlic press, you don’t even have to peel the cloves! You can also use frozen cubes, in a pinch.

Ham Bone – I make this soup with a leftover ham bone that still has plenty of meat on it, but you can also just make this with 4 cups of chopped ham.

Chicken Broth – I use store-bought chicken broth. Be careful when swapping for homemade, to adjust the salt accordingly.

Water – The water in this recipe is added to help it reach the desired consistency.

Seasonings – I hit this soup with some bay leaves and thyme. You can swap in Italian seasoning, if you don’t have thyme.

Salt and Pepper – I always use kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper in my cooking.

How to Make Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup

Prepping the Vegetables: I slice and clean the leeks. Then, I dice the onion, and mince the garlic cloves.

Adding the Vegetables: I spread out the leeks, onion, and garlic across the bottom of the pot. Then, I clean the potatoes and chop them into 1-inch pieces, adding them to the slow cooker.

All the Rest: I place the ham bone, then add the split peas, thyme, and bay leaves. Last is the chicken broth and water on top of everything.

Cooking: I throw the switch to HIGH and let the slow cooker do its thing for 6 hours, or until the potatoes become tender and the peas disintegrate into the broth.

Shredding the Meat: Flipping the switch to WARM, I take out the ham bone and strip any remaining meat from it. I pull apart this meat, leaving plenty of bite size chunks. Then, it goes back into the soup. I also take out the bay leaves at this step.

Serving the Dish: I do a final taste test and adjust salt and pepper. Then, it is ready to serve!

Serving Suggestions

This soup is hearty enough to stand on its own, but I almost always serve it with a thick slice of garlic herb bread or a batch of my easy drop biscuits. Bread is just the perfect partner for soup, letting you soak up that tasty broth.

And, to round things out, I add a classic caesar salad to the menu. Because this soup pairs beautifully with something fresh and crunchy.

Make Ahead & Storage

Make Ahead: Yes! This dish can be made ahead. Just prepare the soup according to the instructions. Then, allow it to cool before storing.

How to Store: Store the soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. It freezes well, too. Just be sure to portion out servings before you freeze.

How to Reheat: When I’m reheating a family portion, I thaw the soup and warm it back up in a pot at low heat on the stove. But, if it’s only for me, I chuck it in the microwave at 30 second intervals.

More Slow Cooker Soup Recipes

• Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
• Slow Cooker Potato Soup
• Slow Cooker Stuffed Pepper Soup

Frequently Asked Questions

{originally published 8/3/11 – recipe notes and photos updated 1/27/26}