This Instant Pot pea soup takes about an hour to prepare and cook, even with the time it takes for the pressure to build and release. It’s a meal you can enjoy any night of the week.
Pea soup is a rustic, versatile soup. This version, cooked in the Instant Pot pressure cooker, is seasoned with diced ham. If you prefer a vegetarian soup, feel free to omit the ham and use vegetable broth instead of chicken stock. Or replace the ham with diced smoked sausage, bacon, or salt pork.
Top the pea soup with some toasted croutons, shredded cheese, or fresh chopped parsley or chives.
PrintInstant Pot Split Pea Soup
Split pea soup has never been easier! This Instant Pot split pea soup is cooked in the pressure cooker for a quick and easy meal you can prepare any day of the week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Pressure Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Instant Pot, Soups, Ham, Split Peas
- Method: Pressure Cook
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound split peas
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 1/2 cups diced ham
- 1 large onion (1 cup; chopped)
- 2 large carrots (peeled and diced)
- 1/2 cup celery (chopped; about 2 ribs)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 6 cups chicken stock (unsalted or low sodium)
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (leaf, not ground)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Rinse the peas under cold running water and set them aside.
- Select the Instant Pot sauté button. When the display indicates the pot is hot, add the butter, swirling it around until it is melted. Add the ham, chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onion begins to soften.
- Add the garlic to the pot and continue to cook for 2 minutes.
- Add the rinsed split peas, chicken stock, bay leaves, thyme, and pepper.
- Secure the Instant Pot lid and make sure the steam release valve is set to sealing. Choose the manual or pressure cook and high pressure settings for minutes. When the time is up, allow the pressure to release naturally for 15 minutes. Carefully turn the steam release valve to the venting position to release the remaining steam.
- Stir the pea soup; taste and add salt, as needed.
- Ladle the soup into bowls. Garnish with croutons, if desired.
