Cozy Split Pea Soup Recipe for Cold Nights

Nothing warms you up on a cold night like a big bowl of **split pea soup**. This comforting classic is packed with flavor and incredibly easy to make. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the secret to a perfectly creamy soup every time. Keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Keto Coconut Flour Pancakes with Fresh Berries and Easy Keto No Bake Lemon Cheesecake Cups Recipe.

What You'll Need for Cozy Split Pea Soup Recipe for Cold Nights

Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.

• 1 lb dried green split peas
• 8 slices bacon
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 carrots, diced
• 3 stalks celery, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 cups water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• Optional: Crispy bacon
• Optional: Chopped fresh parsley
• Optional: Sour cream or Greek yogurt

How to Make Cozy Split Pea Soup Recipe for Cold Nights

1. Cook the bacon: In a large pot, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the grease in the pot.
2. Sauté the vegetables: Add the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic to the pot with the bacon grease. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Cook the soup: Add the split peas, chicken broth, water, salt, pepper, thyme, bay leaf, and cayenne pepper (if using) to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until the peas are tender.
4. Blend the soup: Using an immersion blender, blend the soup until it reaches your desired consistency. You can also blend it in batches in a regular blender.
5. Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and top with crispy bacon, chopped fresh parsley, and a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt if desired.

Storing & Reheating Cozy Split Pea Soup Recipe for Cold Nights

Short-Term Storage

Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: This soup can be made ahead and reheated when ready to serve.

Freezing Cozy Split Pea Soup Recipe for Cold Nights

Freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Reheat Without Drying It Out

Oven: Reheat on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through.

Recipe Notes

• Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, skip the bacon and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
• Best substitution: You can substitute the split peas with lentils for a similar texture and flavor.
• Make-ahead: This soup can be made up to 2 days ahead and reheated when ready to serve.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled to serve a larger crowd.
• Troubleshooting: If the soup is too thick, thin it out with a little water or broth. If it's too thin, simmer it for a few more minutes to reduce the liquid.

Cozy Split Pea Soup Recipe for Cold Nights

⏱

Prep

15 mins

🍳

Cook

45 mins

⏳

Total

1 hour

🍽

Serves

6 servings

🥗

Diet

Gluten-free, Vegetarian

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 1 lb dried green split peas
• 8 slices bacon
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 carrots, diced
• 3 stalks celery, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 cups water

Seasonings

• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Optional Toppings

• Crispy bacon
• Chopped fresh parsley
• Sour cream or Greek yogurt

Instructions

1. Cook the bacon: In a large pot, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the grease in the pot.
2. Sauté the vegetables: Add the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic to the pot with the bacon grease. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Cook the soup: Add the split peas, chicken broth, water, salt, pepper, thyme, bay leaf, and cayenne pepper (if using) to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until the peas are tender.
4. Blend the soup: Using an immersion blender, blend the soup until it reaches your desired consistency. You can also blend it in batches in a regular blender.
5. Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and top with crispy bacon, chopped fresh parsley, and a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt if desired.

Notes

• Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, skip the bacon and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
• Best substitution: You can substitute the split peas with lentils for a similar texture and flavor.
• Make-ahead: This soup can be made up to 2 days ahead and reheated when ready to serve.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled to serve a larger crowd.
• Troubleshooting: If the soup is too thick, thin it out with a little water or broth. If it's too thin, simmer it for a few more minutes to reduce the liquid.

Storage

• Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• Freezer: Freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
• Oven reheat: Reheat on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through.
• Make ahead: This soup can be made ahead and reheated when ready to serve.

Nutrition Per Serving

• Calories: 370
• Protein: 20g
• Fat: 8g
• Carbs: 52g
• Fiber: 16g
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 860mg
• Cholesterol: 20mg
• Sat. Fat: 3g

Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.

Cozy Split Pea Soup Recipe for Cold Nights FAQs

A Warm Final Note

I can’t wait for you to try Cozy Split Pea Soup Recipe for Cold Nights and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!