If you didn’t grow up eating this soup, it might not be one of your favorites. I know it’s not the prettiest soup (its green color alone can be somewhat off-putting), but it sure is delicious! I use turkey bacon not only for smokiness in this dish, but I also like to use it for a crispy garnish; if you want to make this vegetarian (actually vegan), you can omit the turkey bacon and make sure the bouillon or stock you’re using is vegetarian or vegan.
Split Pea Soup
Serves about 8
3 tablespoons olive oil
8 slices turkey bacon, diced
1 large onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups split green peas, picked over and rinsed
8 cups water*
2 vegetable, chicken, or beef-flavored soft bouillon cubes*
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon ground marjoram
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
4 large carrots, scrubbed, peeled if desired, and chopped
3 large stalks celery, chopped
1 large potato, scrubbed, peeled if desired, and chopped
Heat the oil over medium heat in a 5-quart lidded pot; add the turkey bacon and sauté until crispy, about 5 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove 3/4 of the turkey bacon to set aside for topping the soup. Add the onion to the same pot with the remaining 1/4 of turkey bacon; sauté until softened, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté 1 minute more, stirring constantly.
Add the split peas, water, bouillon cubes, bay leaves, marjoram, salt, and pepper; bring to a boil over high heat. Turn heat down, cover the pot, and simmer until the peas form a smooth soup, about 45 to 60 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the carrots, celery, and potato; cover the pot, turn heat up to high, and bring to a boil. Once boiling, turn heat down and simmer until the veggies are tender, about 20 to 30 minutes, stirring frequently.
Taste and season with additional salt and pepper as desired. Serve with the reserved turkey bacon sprinkled on top.
* If you prefer, instead of 8 cups of water and 2 bouillon cubes, you can use 8 cups of low-sodium stock and add salt to taste.
I’m Faith Gorsky, the writer, cook, and photographer behind An Edible Mosaic. My goal is to inspire you to get in the kitchen and try something new! Feel free to 
I love split pea soup. I have to admit though, seeing your cute mugs on foodgawker was my incentive to stop by!
Mmmmm…words can’t describe how fabulous that looks! I could go for a bowl!
The sniffles have been making their way through our house all week! This is definitely a sure cure!
xoxo,
Tammy (& Catherine)
Its summer here but I could scoff a bowl of that soup all the same.
I’m actually a huge fan of split pea soup. It is one of my favorites! This looks so tasty…I just wish we lived closer. Thank you for making me smile after a long day at work…sorry I haven’t stopped by sooner. I’ve been adjusting to my crazy-busy schedule. Hugs and love!
I don’t think I’ve had this soup before :) But this seems perfect for winter and I like how its so healthy~
I love the sound of this soup! I love split pea, but often get turned off because of the use of ham in it. Using turkey bacon is a great idea!
I grew up eating this soup & I loved it! And I still do :). Your looks delicious – comforting and warming.
Yum! Definitely one of my favorites that my mom and grandma would make. I have all the stuff to make it soon, but never used turkey bacon. Might have to try it this time! :)
believe it or not I have never cooked split pea! Need to do something with them soon :)
This is absolutely beautiful! Plus, you can’t go wrong with a delicious split pea soup. Love this!
Great soup Faith…perfect for the cold weather.
Have a great week :-)
I just made a big batch of split pea soup too! Nothing like it on a cold, winter day. A real comforting soup!
i honestly don’t know what use i have for split peas, other than soup. nice batch!
This soup sounds just perfect for lunch right now, beautiful presentation!
Have not made split pea soup for a while. Have all the ingredients, going to get cooking. Thanks for the reminder.
Mmm I actually really love split pea soup. I usually add smoked paprika or some liquid smoke to get that bacony flavor. Such good stuff, even if it is a weird shade of green!
Split pea soup is the best, I love it!! And yours looks so pretty I wish I could have some right now.
With so much cold here this soup is more than welcomed Faith! Looks very inviting!
We are on the same wavelength! I just made a big pot of the green stuff last week. Similar recipe, too! Yours is def prettier though, with the crispy turkey bacon on top! mmm
I love split pea soup. It’s one of my favorites, and I think yours looks and sounds wonderful. :)
it looks so comforting and delicious, specially since it has bacon on top :)
I have never actually made homemade split pea soup before, but this recipe looks too delicious not to try it!
I’ve never had split pea soup before but it sure looks good!
Yum! I love split pea soup and never eat it because it almost always is made with Pork (which I don’t eat). Love using the Turkey Bacon instead – bookmarking!!
Only you could make split pea look appetizing! It’s one of my favorite soups, without a doubt, but it is NOT pretty!! :)
This is one of my favorite soups and I haven’t made it for years, I’m pinning this one for- hopefully soon- dinner!
This is one of my favourite soups. The best after spending time outside on a cold day!
I never had split pea soup until about a year ago….and I did like it, but it’s not my fave. I think part of the reason is because my mom’s version is a little bland–she needs to add bacon! :-)
I know what you mean about split pea soup – every time I make it, I think of how gross it would look if I hadn’t grown up with it and didn’t know how amazing it is. I do love it though, and I make all different kids, sometimes vegan, or sometimes with meat, and yours sounds delicious :D
I love split pea soup and am also a BIG fan of mushy peas with lightly fried fish – have you had mushy peas?? SO yummy!!
Yum!
Well Faith, much as I know your recipes are the best, I am NOT going to make this! My parents, dearly as I loved them, asked me to make two soups for them the last 10 years of their lives…pea and barley. I made soup constantly all those years and if I never see pea or barley soup again it will be too soon. :) I know you’ll understand.
We make a vegan version in our household for Bill, but the authentic, Dutch way has that rich sweet smokiness from ham. You’ve made it look very attractive with the garnishes, Faith!
This is one of my favorites! My mom never made it when we were younger because she couldn’t do the green color…but I love it now! I make a veg version. Nom nom. Looks just perfect
Split pea soup has always been one of my favorites – ever since I was a kid. My mom would always make it when we had a ham bone. I think it’s a delicious soup and yours looks great!
A wonderful soup! I could eat that right now for dinner.
Cheers,
Rosa
I have some spit peas that need using will give this a try. Thanks Diane
I have some spit peas that need using will give this a try. Thanks Dciane