Instant Pot Split Pea Soup Recipe

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Save that leftover ham bone, smoked turkey leg or ham hock and make this super creamy, hearty, delicious Instant Pot Split Pea Soup. Spiced up with a touch of ginger and curry powder, this curry split pea soups packs some serious flavor and is ultra comforting!

Split pea soup has never been easier guys. The Instant Pot strikes again!

This Instant Pot split pea soup is super easy to make and just so damn comforting. I love me a nice hot steaming bowl of split pea soup. Especially this curry split pea soup.

Seriously, add a touch of ginger and curry powder and you are talking major flavor. And of course that deep, smokey flavor from the leftover ham, turkey leg, or whatever delicious smoked meat you have chosen to use. And yes, you can choose to use any smoked meat. Even bacon. Yes I said bacon. This curried split pea soup recipe is very forgiving.

Because it’s comfort food season guys, and Instant Pot split pea soup=comfort. So many good feelings.

Haven’t quite made the plunge to buy an Instant Pot yet? Check out this full review. I love my Instant Pot, but you totally need to read this to decide if it’s for you or not.

**winter is the perfect time for comfort food like this Thai Curry Ramen with Caramelized Pork, or these Creamy Instant Pot Braised Oxtails**

The Ingredients for Instant Pot Split Pea Soup

**See the bottom of the post for vegan instructions**

You definitely need either a ham bone, smoked turkey leg, pork/ham hock, or some kind of smoked meat. This is what’s going to give our Instant Pot split pea soup that delicious smoky, meaty flavor. Because what is a soup without that delicious meatiness? If you don’t have one of the above, toss in 1-2 cups of diced ham, 8 oz. of crumbled bacon, or some shredded smoked turkey. Really guys, anything will work here.

The recipe calls for bacon fat or butter. I totally recommend bacon fat if you have it. It has that nice delicious smokey flavor. But butter will work fine as well.

The rest of the ingredients are straight forward. To avoid roaming the grocery store aisles, buy them on Amazon (affiliate links – I earn a tiny commission if you buy through these links that helps me keep this site running):

• Split peas
• Chicken stock
• Ginger paste
• Curry powder

How to Make Curried Split Pea Soup in the Instant Pot

You guys are about to die with how easy this is. Because seriously, who has time this time of year for hours of cooking? Plus, this is all cooked in the Instant Pot, so no dirtying a thousand dishes.

How to Cook Split Pea Soup

Heat the bacon fat or butter on the saute setting in the Instant Pot. Add the onions, ginger paste and garlic and saute until soft. This help bring out the flavor of the aromatics.

**OPTIONS: if you want to make your curry split pea soup heartier, add 2-3 chopped carrots and 1 cup of diced potato. 

Add the ham bone, split peas, chicken stock and curry powder and set the Instant Pot to pressure cook on high for 15 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, and use the quick release to release any remaining pressure.

And that’s that. You’re done. Not even enough time to watch a show on Netflix.

Do split peas need to be soaked before cooking?

Split peas do not require soaking before use. While soaking the peas overnight will speed up the cooking time, for this recipe it’s totally unecessary since we are already using the Instant Pot.

How do you thicken split pea soup?

The curry split pea soup should come out pretty thick, but if you want a thicker soup, mix 2 tsp. of cornstarch with 1 tbsp. of water until a slurry forms. Slowly add it to your soup while stirring until the desired thickness is reached.

How to make creamy split pea soup

If you would like your soup to be creamier, add 1/2 cup heavy cream. I love doing this!

How to freeze split pea soup

Place the soup either in individual or one large freezer safe airtight container or freezer bag(s). I prefer to use freezer bags as they take up less space in the freezer. Store it in the freezer for up to 6 months. To reheat, let the soup thaw in the fridge overnight then heat on the stove or in the microwave. If the soup is too thick, add chicken stock to thin it out.

Is split pea soup healthy?

Split peas are packed full of vitamins and minerals, and contain a ton of fiber. They are also packed full of protein, potassium and vitamin K.

Now because I add smoked meat (ham mainly) and bacon fat (and cream if you went with the creamy option) to this Instant Pot split pea soup,it is less healthy. If you want to make this a completely healthy soup, use turkey instead of ham, and replace the bacon fat/butter with olive or coconut oil.

How to make vegan split pea soup

To make vegan split pea soup, replace the bacon fat with olive or coconut oil, replace the chicken stock with vegetable stock, and eliminate the smoked meat. Add additional salt and pepper to taste. For this vegan version, I highly recommend adding the carrots and potatoes to make the soup heartier.

Is there anything more comfort than a big bowl of steaming soup? Check out some of these other ultra comforting soup and stew recipes:

Instant Pot Caramelized Pork Ramen
Louisiana Seafood Gumbo
Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage Soup
Spicy Korean seafood Stew
Instant Pot Thai Red Curry Ramen
Japanese Beef Curry Udon
Miso Udon Noodle Soup
French Onion Soup

Did you make this easy split pea soup recipe? Rate the recipe and leave a comment below to let me know what you think!

Instant Pot Split Pea Soup

Spiced up with a touch of ginger and curry powder, this curry split pea soups packs some serious flavor!

5 from 15 votes

Print Rate

Course: Main Course, Soup/Stew

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Servings: 10 servings

Calories: 238kcal

Author: Danielle Wolter

Ingredients

• 16 oz. dry split peas
• 1 ham bone pork hock, smoked turkey, diced ham
• 6 cups chicken stock
• 1 onion diced
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 2 tsp. ginger paste
• 1 tbsp. curry powder
• 2 tbsp. bacon fat or butter

Instructions

• Heat the bacon fat in the Instant Pot using the saute setting (normal). Add the onions, garlic and ginger paste and cook until soft. Then add the ham bone, split peas, chicken stock and curry powder.
• Set the Instant Pot to pressure cook on high for 15 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, and use the quick release to release the remaining pressure.

Expert Tips:

1. If you don't have a ham bone, you can use 1-2 cups of diced ham, 8 oz. of crumbled bacon, or some shredded smoked turkey as a substitute.
2. If you want to make your curry split pea soup heartier, add 2-3 chopped carrots and 1 cup of diced potato.
3. To make this split pea soup recipe vegan, replace the bacon fat with olive or coconut oil, replace the chicken stock with vegetable stock, and eliminate the smoked meat. Add additional salt and pepper to taste. For this vegan version, I highly recommend adding the carrots and potatoes to make the soup heartier.
4. To make the soup creamier, add 1/2 cup heavy cream.
5. If your soup is too thin, mix 2 tsp. of cornstarch with 1 tbsp. of water until a slurry forms. Slowly add it to your soup while stirring until the desired thickness is reached.
6. To freeze: Place the soup either in individual or one large freezer safe airtight container or freezer bag(s). I prefer to use freezer bags as they take up less space in the freezer. Store it in the freezer for up to 6 months. To reheat, let the soup thaw in the fridge overnight then heat on the stove or in the microwave. If the soup is too thick, add chicken stock to thin it out.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 238kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 235mg | Potassium: 635mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 3.1% | Vitamin C: 2.8% | Calcium: 4% | Iron: 15.4%

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