Pea Soup
on Oct 08, 2023, Updated Apr 24, 2024
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This Pea Soup is a simple, elegant dish that is bursting with fresh, bright, and earthy flavors. The combination of peas, celery, chicken broth, and heavy cream creates a rich and hearty soup that can be enjoyed year-round!
Looking for a light and nutritious dinner that you can throw together in under an hour? This easy pea soup is the recipe for you! The bright green color is eye-catching, and the luscious, smooth texture never disappoints.
This recipe is one of my favorites to make because of all the light and fresh flavors it includes. Not to mention that it is a great source of plant-based protein and fiber! I love to serve it with some croutons on top, or with a grilled cheese sandwich on the side.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Family-Friendly Delight: Sweet, mild pea soup that’s great for kids and loved by the whole family, perfect for any gathering or weeknight dinner.
- Freezer-Friendly Magic: This pea soup freezes well, making it easy to batch-cook and enjoy a homemade meal anytime, even on busy days.
- Comfort in Every Bite: Rich, velvety pea soup offers comforting warmth and flavor, ideal for cold or rainy days—like a cozy blanket in edible form.
Recipe Ingredients
- Frozen Peas—Will give this soup a smooth texture and subtle sweet flavor. You can also use fresh peas if that’s what you have on hand.
- Celery—Diced. Adds a sharp herby flavor that rounds out the sweetness of the peas.
- Chicken Broth—Creates a hearty, savory, and salty base for this pea soup.
- Heavy Cream—Adds a silky richness.
- Butter—Helps to soften the celery.
- Spices—A simple, aromatic blend of dried minced onion, garlic powder, and Italian spice.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Popular Substitutions & Variations
- Herb Infusion: Elevate your pea soup by experimenting with different fresh herbs. Try a teaspoon of basil, tarragon, or chives to give your soup a unique flavor profile. Each herb will lend its own delightful twist to the dish.
- Spice It Up: If you’re a fan of a little heat, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper to your pea soup. The gentle kick of spice can provide a pleasant contrast to the soup’s sweetness.
- Coconut Milk: If you prefer a dairy-free option, coconut milk is an excellent choice. It brings a unique flavor to the soup, with a subtle coconut undertone. Use the canned, full-fat variety for the creamiest results.
- Protein Boost: Turn your pea soup into a hearty meal by incorporating protein sources like diced ham, crispy bacon bits, or shredded rotisserie chicken.
While we haven’t tested this recipe with other substitutions or variations, please share your results if you make any changes in the comments below!
How to Make Split Pea Soup
Step 1: In a large soup pot, sauté the diced celery, minced onion, garlic powder, and Italian spice in the butter. Cook until the celery is soft.
Step 2: Add the peas and chicken broth. Bring the broth to a boil before reducing the heat to a simmer. Allow the peas to cook until soft.
Step 3:Use a blender to puree the soup until smooth. Then Stir in the heavy cream.
Step 4: Stir in the heavy cream until it is fully incorporated into the soup. Serve and enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
These two soups use similar ingredients but have different textures and flavors. Split pea soup is a slightly thinner consistency, and you will typically be able to see chunks of peas and ham floating in a broth base. Pea soup, on the other hand, really highlights the natural flavor of the peas and is usually a smoother and thicker consistency. These two types of soups are different, but the names are often used interchangeably for both soups.
Because there’s a healthy amount of butter and cream in this pea soup, the finished dish should be thick and smooth. Plus, when the cooked peas are puréed in the blender, they will break down and help to thicken the soup even more. If you feel that your soup is too thick, you can add some more chicken broth to thin it out. If you feel it is too thin, you can try to add some more heavy cream and allow it to simmer.
Yes! Pea soup is a great option if you are looking to make a healthy soup. This soup is loaded with many nutrients such as calcium, potassium, vitamin A, and fiber. Peas are a relatively low-calorie food and also contain a good amount of protein.
Expert Tips
- If you don’t have Italian seasoning, you can easily make your own by combining equal parts garlic powder, onion powder, salt, oregano, and basil.
- I like to serve this soup hot, but some people enjoy it chilled! It can be especially refreshing on a hot summer evening.
- Don’t have any dried minced onion on hand? You can use about ¼ of a fresh white or yellow onion instead. Simply dice it and sauté it with the celery.
What Goes Well with Pea Soup?
I like to pair this hearty pea soup with any type of homemade bread or cooked potato! You can often find me serving this soup alongside some slices of rye bread or cornbread as well as some mashed potatoes or sweet potato fries. You can also play around with simple toppings or garnishes for pea soup. Sprinkle on a handful of grated parmesan cheese or freshly ground black pepper. Or get a little fancy and top your pea soup with some garlic croutons or crispy french onions for some bold flavor!
How to Store and Reheat Creamy Split Pea Soup
You can store any leftover creamy pea soup in the fridge for up to 5 days in an airtight container. I highly recommend making a double batch of this soup and freezing it for later! Simply let any extra soup cool down to room temperature before transferring it to a Ziplock bag. Lay the bag flat in the freezer where it should stay fresh for up to 3 months.
When you are ready to enjoy this warm and cozy meal again, allow any frozen soup to thaw in the fridge overnight. Then, reheat your pea soup in the microwave or over medium heat on the stovetop. Stir the soup frequently as it reheats to encourage even warming.
More Soup Recipes To Consider
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Pea Soup
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3/4 cup diced celery
- 1 tablespoon dried minced onion
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 6 cups frozen peas
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large pot.
- Once the butter is melted, add the diced celery, minced onion, garlic powder, and Italian spice mix. Cook the celery for about 5 minutes, or until soft and tender.
- Add the peas and chicken broth. Bring the broth to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Allow the peas to cook for 25 minutes, or until soft.
- Use a blender or immersion blender to purée the soup until smooth and homogenous.
- Stir in the heavy cream until it is fully incorporated into the soup.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- You can store this soup in the fridge for up to 5 days and reheat it in the microwave for about 2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- To freeze this soup for up to 2 months, let it come to room temperature and then transfer it to a large Ziploc bag. Lay the bag as flat as possible to make thawing the soup a quicker process. When ready to serve, allow the soup to thaw and then reheat it on the stovetop until hot.
- This soup is great topped with some freshly ground black pepper or grated Parmesan cheese.
- The heavy cream helps thicken the soup and gives it a little bit of richness that pairs wonderfully with the natural flavor of the peas.
- You can make your own Italian spice mix by combining equal parts garlic powder, onion powder, salt, oregano, and basil.
