Green Split Pea Soup (Printable)

Tender green split peas and smoky turkey combine in a hearty, comforting blend with savory vegetables.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb smoked turkey wings or drumsticks

→ Legumes

02 - 2 cups dried green split peas, rinsed and drained

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 medium onion, chopped
04 - 2 medium carrots, diced
05 - 2 celery stalks, diced
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Liquids

07 - 8 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
08 - 1 bay leaf

→ Seasonings

09 - 1 tsp dried thyme
10 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
11 - Salt, to taste

→ Garnishes

12 - Chopped fresh parsley
13 - Croutons

# How to Prepare:

01 - Heat a splash of oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery, sautéing for 4–5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
02 - Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until aromatic, being careful not to burn it.
03 - Add the rinsed split peas, smoked turkey pieces, broth, bay leaf, dried thyme, and black pepper to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.
04 - Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Cook until the split peas are completely tender and the soup has thickened naturally.
05 - Remove the turkey pieces from the soup and set aside until cool enough to handle. Shred the meat from the bones, discarding skin, bones, and cartilage. Return the shredded meat to the pot.
06 - Remove and discard the bay leaf. Taste the soup and adjust salt as needed. If a smoother texture is desired, use an immersion blender to partially puree the soup before returning the shredded turkey.
07 - Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh parsley or croutons if desired. Serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The smoked turkey infuses every spoonful with deep flavor you cant get from regular broth
  • It makes enough for dinner tonight plus lunches all week, actually tasting better on day two
  • One pot, almost zero active cooking time, and ingredients you can find anywhere
02 -
  • The soup thickens considerably as it cools, so thin it with a splash of water or broth when reheating leftovers
  • Some smoked turkey is saltier than others, so always taste before adding any salt at the end
  • If the soup seems too thin for your liking, use an immersion blender on about half the pot before adding back the turkey
03 -
  • Rinse the split peas in a mesh strainer until the water runs clear, removing dust and debris
  • If you can only find smoked turkey legs instead of wings, they work exactly the same
  • A splash of vinegar or lemon juice right before serving brightens all the flavors

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