Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup

Author: George Dorion
Total Time: 4-8 hours (30 mins prep time)
Yield: 10-12 servings

Ingredients

• 1 lb. dried green split peas, rinsed
• Meat (pick one)
  • 2 cups smoked bacon, chopped
  • 1 meaty ham bone
  • 2 ham hocks
  • 2 cups diced ham
• 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
• ½ cup chopped onion
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 or 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 bay leaf (optional)
• ½ cup Lentils (optional)
• 2 tsp dried parsley flakes or ¼ cup chopped fresh.
• ¾ Tbsp. Salt
• 1 tsp. Black pepper
• 7 cups hot water

Directions

1. Layer ingredients in slow cooker in the order given in the ingredient list
2. Pour in water. Do not stir ingredients.
3. Cover and cook on High for 4-5 hours or low 8-10 hours until peas are very soft and ham falls off bone.
4. Remove bones and bay leaf.
5. Use a hand blender to blend soup and mash peas.

Notes

The amount of salt may differ based on the meat you choose. You may need as little as ½ Tbsp. to as much as 1 Tbsp. depending on meat. Use your discretion.

For chopped bacon, separate fat and meat, cook fat in mesh bag with bay leaves then discard.