Canadian Yellow Split Pea Soup with Ham

Creamy yellow split pea soup studded with bits of ham, carrots, celery, and thyme. There is nothing like this one on a cold day! I am a Canadian now living in the United States and cannot get Habitant soup anymore, so I came up with this version. I think it is as good as the real thing, if not better because it is homemade.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 3 hr
• Total Time: 3 hr 20 mins
• Calories: 172 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 4 carrots, diced
• 1 bay leaf (Optional)
• 1 pinch ground black pepper, or to taste
• 5 stalks celery, diced
• 1 ham bone with some meat
• 8 cups water, or as needed
• 2 ½ cups yellow split peas
• ½ large Spanish onion, diced

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Place ham bone, split peas, celery, carrots, onion, salt, thyme, bay leaf, and pepper into a large pot; pour in water. Bring mixture to a boil and skim off any foam with a spoon.

Step 2

Reduce the heat and place a lid on the pot, slightly ajar to allow some evaporation. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until peas are tender and soup is thick, about 3 hours.

Step 3

Remove ham bone from soup; remove meat from ham bone, chop, and return to the pot.