How to Make Healthy Crock Pot Split Pea Soup

Homemade split pea soup is an old-fashioned family favorite.

Split pea soup made in the Crock Pot is a warm and comforting meal. Depending on what you add to the basic recipe, split pea soup is not only quite healthy, but is easy on the pocketbook as well. Cooked split peas contain 16 grams of protein per cup, making it an excellent vegetarian option. Split peas are also high in thiamine, folate, potassium and fiber. Adding other vegetables to the soup will further increase its nutritional value and using low-fat, low-sodium seasonings will keep the soup healthy.

Things You'll Need

• 5- or 6-quart Crock Pot
• 2 lbs. dried split peas
• 4 quarts chicken or vegetable stock
• 1/2 cup onion, chopped
• 1 cup chopped ham or turkey bacon or vegetarian "bacon"
• 1/2 cup each chopped celery, carrots and potatoes (optional)
• 1-2 tsp. salt
• 1-2 tsp. pepper
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
• 2 bay leaves

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in the Crock Pot and cover with the lid.

2. Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high for 4 to 6 hours. The soup is finished cooking when the peas are soft and mushy.

3. Blend the soup with an immersion blender until smooth if you prefer a very smooth, homogeneous soup.

Tips & Warnings

• Add less salt to the soup if you are using a pre-packaged stock that already contains salt.

• Use appropriate caution when working with boiling liquids and hot cooking equipment.

References

• University of Illinois Family Nutrition Program: Bean Recipes
• Urban Programs Resource Network: Family Nutrition Program in Chicago
• Nutrition Data: Peas, split, mature seeds, cooked, boiled, without salt