Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup

💭 You’ll want this split pea soup in your life!

Look, I have a soft spot for slow cooker meals, but this split pea soup is the one I keep coming back to. The first time I made it, it was a chaotic weekday—my baby was teething, the laundry was overflowing, and I just needed something warm and comforting that didn’t require me to hover over the stove. I threw the ingredients into the slow cooker, said a little prayer, and hoped for the best. By dinnertime, the kitchen smelled like I’d been cooking all day (spoiler: I hadn’t), and the soup? Creamy, herby perfection.

What I love most? You don’t need to whip out a blender to get a creamy soup. One less thing to wash. Plus, the little pop of soy sauce gives it just enough depth to make you go, “Wait, what’s in this?”

On a slow cooker binge? Try my potato soup, black bean soup, tortilla soup and French onion soup – all made in the slow cooker. They’ll all turn your day from chaos to calm, one bowl at a time.

📋 Ingredients and notes

To make this crockpot split pea soup, you’ll need split peas, carrots, celery stalks, onions, garlic, soy sauce, vegetable broth, olive oil, fresh thyme, fresh parsley, salt, black pepper, and bay leaves.

• I prefer keeping everything in the slow cooker for convenience, but if you don’t mind an extra pan, cooking the onions and garlic before adding them to the slow cooker gives the soup a richer base.
• Blend a portion of the soup for creaminess or leave it chunky for more texture. But you really don’t need to if you don’t want to!

Variations & Substitutions

• Split peas. Green or yellow split peas both work well. No need to pre-soak, as they soften during cooking.
• Vegetables. You can cube 2-3 small potatoes to add to the carrots and celery.
• Onions. Use yellow or white onions. Substitute with shallots or leeks.
• Soy sauce. Substitute with tamari for gluten-free.
• Vegetable broth. Use low-sodium broth so you can have more control over the saltiness of the soup.
• Fresh thyme. If you don’t have fresh thyme, you can use ½ teaspoon of dried thyme.
• Spices and seasonings. For a hint of smokiness, you can add 1 teaspoon of liquid smoke or 1 teaspoon smoked paprika. You can also sprinkle in some of your favorite seasonings and herbs, like oregano, rosemary, or cumin. For a spicy kick, add cayenne pepper.
• Lemon juice. Stir in 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to add brightness to the soup.

📖 How to make Crockpot split pea soup

Step 1:
Rinse split peas well. Pat dry and set aside.

Step 2:
In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion to the skillet and sauté until the onion is translucent. Add the garlic and sauté for 30-45 seconds more.

🍴 How to serve split pea soup

This soup is one of my go-to favorites for a cozy brunch or comforting dinner. I love topping it with crunchy croutons or a handful of crackers, and it’s even better with a side of toasted baguette slices for dipping. To round out the meal, I usually pair it with my roasted vegetable salad or my hearty kale salad—it’s the perfect balance!