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Instant Pot Split Pea Soup with Ham

Instant Pot Split Pea Soup with Ham

This Instant Pot Split Pea Soup with Ham is thick, hearty, and full of smoky flavor. Made with a ham bone, dried split peas, and simple vegetables, it's ready in about an hour thanks to the pressure cooker. The ultimate comfort food!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 onion diced
  • 2 ribs celery diced
  • 2 carrots diced
  • 1 ham bone smoked ham hock, or 6 oz. diced deli ham
  • 1 lb. dried split peas sorted through and rinsed
  • 6 cups low sodium chicken stock or broth
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
  • Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Turn pressure cooker to Sauté setting. Melt butter and sauté onion, celery, and carrots for about 5 minutes until softened.
  • Add split peas, chicken stock, ham bone (or hock or diced ham), and bay leaves. Turn off Sauté function.
  • Cover pressure cooker, set valve to Sealing, and set to Manual/High Pressure for 15 minutes.
  • Allow pressure to naturally release for 10-15 minutes. Then quick release remaining pressure.
  • If using ham bone or hock, remove it and pick off any attached ham meat. Add meat back to soup.
  • Taste and season with salt and pepper if necessary. Serve immediately, garnished with parsley.

Notes

  • Watch the salt: salty broth and ham may mean no additional salt is needed.
  • Split pea age affects cook time; older peas take longer.
  • Frozen ham bone works fine; no need to adjust cook time.
  • Vegetarian: Omit ham, use vegetable stock or water.
  • Vegan: Use olive oil instead of butter.
  • No pork: Substitute smoked turkey leg for ham bone.
  • Storage: Refrigerate up to 1 week; freeze up to 6 months.