Finnish Pea Soup in a Slow Cooker

This is a nice pea soup recipe for cooking in a slow cooker. Works well even as a vegetarian version. Should be suitable for cooking in a normal pot with minor adjustments. This soup also freezes well.

• Preparation Time: 25 mins
• Cooking Time: 9 hr
• Total Time: 9 hr 25 mins
• Calories: 256 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons dried parsley
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• ½ teaspoon dried marjoram
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 large onion, diced
• 6 cups water
• 1 cube chicken bouillon
• 1 cup chopped celery (Optional)
• ¼ cup mustard, or to taste
• 1 pound dried green peas
• 1 pound pork, cut into 1/2-inch strips (Optional)
• 1 cup chopped carrot (Optional)
• 3 teaspoons smoked salt

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Place peas in a large pot and cover with water. Let soak, 8 hours to overnight.

Step 2

Place pot with peas and soaking water on high heat and bring to a boil. Cook for about 5 minutes, and remove any foam that forms. Drain and set peas aside.

Step 3

Fry pork in a skillet over medium heat until slightly pink in the center, about 5 minutes.

Step 4

Meanwhile, combine 6 cups water and chicken bouillon cube in a pot. Bring water to a boil to dissolve the bouillon cube.

Step 5

Add peas, cooked pork, onion, celery, carrot, garlic, smoked salt, parsley, thyme, black pepper, marjoram, and bay leaf to a slow cooker. Pour bouillon in last.

Step 6

Cook on Low for 7 hours, then on High for 2 hours more. Serve with mustard alongside.