Green Split Pea Soup (Printable Format)

Earthy green split peas combine with smoked turkey for a nourishing, hearty soup.

# What You Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb smoked turkey wings or drumsticks

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 medium carrots, diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, diced
05 - 3 garlic cloves, minced

→ Peas & Legumes

06 - 2 cups dried green split peas, rinsed

→ Liquids

07 - 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth or water

→ Herbs & Spices

08 - 2 bay leaves
09 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
10 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
11 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - Salt, to taste

→ Others

13 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

# How-To Steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery, and sauté for 5–7 minutes until softened and fragrant.
02 - Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
03 - Add rinsed split peas, smoked turkey pieces, bay leaves, thyme, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Pour in the chicken broth or water and stir well to combine all ingredients.
04 - Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
05 - Remove the turkey pieces from the pot. Shred the meat from the bones, discarding skin, bones, and cartilage. Return the shredded meat to the soup.
06 - Continue simmering uncovered for 20–30 minutes, or until split peas are completely soft and soup reaches desired consistency. Add additional water if soup becomes too thick.
07 - Season with salt to taste. Remove and discard bay leaves before serving hot.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The smoky turkey infuses every spoonful with depth that vegetable soup can never achieve
  • It makes a huge pot that actually tastes better the next day so you are set for lunch all week
  • The ingredients are humble and inexpensive but the result feels like restaurant quality comfort food
02 -
  • The soup will continue thickening as it cools so plan for this when deciding how much water to add
  • Removing the bay leaves before serving is non negotiable unless you want someone to have an unpleasant crunchy surprise
  • Smoked turkey can vary in saltiness so always taste before adding any salt at the end
03 -
  • Rinse your split peas thoroughly until the water runs completely clear for better color and texture
  • Use a low simmer instead of a rolling boil to prevent the peas from breaking down too much

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