Hearty Ham Hock and Split Pea Soup

Ingredients

- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 large carrots, peeled and diced
- 1 pound dried split peas, rinsed
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 2 smoked ham hocks

Instructions

1. Prepare the Ingredients:
Begin by rinsing the split peas under cold running water. Set aside to drain. Dice the onion and carrots so that they are of equal size to ensure even cooking.

2. Sauté the Aromatics:
Place a large pot or Dutch oven on the stove over medium heat. Add the 2 tablespoons of salted butter. Once melted and slightly bubbling, add the diced onion. Sauté the onion for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it becomes translucent.

3. Cook the Vegetables:
Add the diced carrots to the onions and continue to sauté for another 4 minutes, stirring frequently until the carrots are slightly softened.

4. Combine with Broth and Split Peas:
Pour in the 8 cups of chicken broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Add the rinsed split peas, stirring to mix evenly.

5. Add Ham Hocks and Simmer:
Place the ham hocks into the pot. They should be mostly submerged in the broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover with a lid and let simmer for about 1 hour and 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the split peas from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

6. Check for Doneness:
After 1 hour and 30 minutes, check if the split peas are tender and if the soup has thickened. If not, continue to simmer for an additional 15-30 minutes. Adjust the thickness by adding more broth if needed.

7. Remove and Shred Meat:
Once done, carefully remove the ham hocks from the pot and place them on a cutting board. When cool enough to handle, remove the meat from the bone, shred it into bite-sized pieces, and return the meat to the soup. Discard the bones.

8. Final Touches:
Stir the meat through the soup. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If the soup is too thick, add additional broth to reach your desired consistency.

9. Serve:
Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot. Enjoy this hearty, comforting dinner with crusty bread on the side.

Total Time

PT2H
2 hours

Type of Dish

Dinner

Keywords

Ham hock soup, split pea soup, hearty dinner, stove-cooked soup, comfort food, split peas, chicken broth soup, winter warmers, savory soups, traditional recipes

Recipe Yield

Feeds 4 adults

Calories

The entire dish contains approximately 1,600 calories.

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