Healthy Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker Split Pea Soup Recipe

Name: Instant Pot Split Pea Soup Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 10 servings
Ingredients: 450 grams Split peas (green (6 cups soaked)); 3 tbsp Olive oil; 2 Bay leaves; 1/2 inch Ginger (1 tsp grated); 1 clove Garlic (med); 1/2 cup Celery (chopped); 1/2 cup Onions (chopped); 1 tsp Salt; 1/2 tsp Pepper; 1/4 cup Parsley (finely chopped); 1175 ml Stock; 250 ml Milk; 1 tsp Cornstarch; 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese (grated)

This instant pot split pea soup is wholesome, hearty, healthy and nutritious. Made in less than 30 minutes when pressure cooked. It’s made with dried split peas, celery, and a few simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. A perfect winter soup whether you make it vegetarian or no vegetarian. Add a side of salad, crusty bread and you have a scrumptious meal.

Make a scrumptious wholesome healthy and nutritious split pea soup in an Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker

Best Instant Post Split Pea Soup, Pressure Cooker Split Pea Soup, Split Pea Soup Recipe, Split Peas in 30 Minutes

Being raised by a single mother meant we lived a hand to mouth kinda life. Some days were good and some were bad. Mom tried as much as she could to make sure she fed us well. Meat was not always available to us. But lentils, legumes, and dried beans were a common staple in our home. My mom made them at least twice a week, if not more.

Of course, they are cheaper than other foods and they have a long shelf life in the pantry. So you can stock them up in the corner of your pantry and get them out whenever you need. Which is what my mom often did. I always thought we ate these because we were poor. And yet, over the years I have learned about their health benefits and how nutritious they are.

Is split Pea Soup healthy?

For example, I didn’t know that split peas can reduce heart diseases or chronic illness, as well as some types of cancer.

And the part that made me wanna add this to our family diet was that it is a great source of protein, fiber, and vitamins. It’s also rich in minerals such as iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, phosphorus, and zinc.

And most valuable to me – helps with weight loss too. When I made things for the kids that Ziv and I don’t like to eat much. Like Lasagna or Spaghetti (yes, my kids love these two so much) I often will make me a bowl of these dried beans, lentils and have them over my cauliflower rice.

Best Instant Post Split Pea Soup, Pressure Cooker Split Pea Soup, Split Pea Soup Recipe, Split Peas in 30 Minutes

How to make Split Pea Soup in a Pressure Cooker?

My mom didn’t have an instant pot. Back in the day, she had a pressure cooker. I grew up using a pressure cooker all my life and I always made my split pea soup in a pressure cooker.

Recently, I was fascinated with the hype of the Instant Pot so I got myself an IP as a Christmas gift. I was so excited. Honestly, I thought it would take some learning but once I figured how to open and close it, it was easier and much safer than a pressure cooker.

Below I have given you instructions for both, how to make this split pea soup in an Instant Pot as well as how to make it in a pressure cooker. The video shows the instant pot version.

Vegetarian Split Pea Soup or Non-Vegetarian Split Pea Soup

I know that the split pea soup is very commonly made with a ham bone in there. But I grew up eating a vegetarian split pea soup, so that’s what I have shared today as well as in my slow cooker split pea soup recipe.

I have often made the split pea soup with ham as well. Maybe someday I will also share that recipe. The only difference is that you add a ham bone in there before you pressure cook the soup. And when you open the pressure cooker remove the bone and get as much meat from it as possible. Then, discard the bone and add the meat to the soup. The rest of the recipe is the same.

How Long Does Split Pea Soup Last?

Now here’s my little secret as a busy mom. I usually make a big pot in winter because it’s split pea soup weather. I make it in the instant pot, pressure cooker or my slow cooker. It’s a family favorite. My kids can have this often and they won’t complain.

Ideally, this soup can stay in the fridge well wrapped for a good 4 to 5 days. And yet, I batch it up and put it on a gallon size zip lock or freezer bag. Always keep enough space in the bag when you freeze food. Lay it flat on a tray so it’s kinda thin and freeze it.

This is so handy to have in the freezer. When you are used to giving your family healthy nutritious homemade food this is better than store-bought or canned soups. Since I freeze it myself I still know exactly what my kids are eating.

For our family, a bowl of soup, a side of salad and some homemade bread (which I often freeze too) is a perfect family meal.

Now, I don’t want to brag, and yet you will be impressed with all the wonderful soup recipes I have shared with you, which are healthy and nutritious and mostly use milk not cream. And you can find all my soup recipes here under soups. Here are just a few to give you a glimpse.

This Slow Cooker Potato Soup is the ultimate winter comfort food recipe. The perfect Vegetarian Potato Soup.

Nothing is more perfect in winter than a bowl of comforting roasted sweet potato soup made with yogurt or coconut cream.

A Pinterest optimized image for this simple, easy and effortless cream of mushroom recipe from scratch

This slow cooker lentil soup is not just nutritious but hearty and flavorful. Serve it with crusty bread and a side salad for a simple week night dinner. The lentils are cooked until so soft you can barely see the grains. The fresh cilantro add so much more than just flavor.

Don’t want to make an instant pot or pressure cooker? Make a slow cooker split pea soup instead. You can find my recipe here.

The ultimate Creamy Split Pea Soup Recipe for winter. Vegetarian without ham bone.

Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup Recipe

It's soup season and this slow cooker split pea soup recipe is healthy, hearty and nutritious made with simple dried split peas in a slow cooker. You need just 5 minutes to add all the things into the post and the crock pot does the rest for you. A simple and easy recipe whether you choose to make it vegetarian or non-vegetarian.

Let’s talk ingredients and substitutes (Save/Pin)

Split Peas – What are split peas? The green split pea is the same as the green peas but processed differently. To make split pea, the green pea is peeled and dried. You can also get yellow split peas and they would work just as well for this recipe.
Onion – I love red onions because they are sweeter and work great for soups. And yet, they also add a bit of color. Today I have used white onions.
Garlic – A little goes a long way. And if you prefer, you can also add 1 tsp garlic powder.
Parmesan– Adds a nice nutty and sharp flavor to the soup. I highly recommend not omitting it. You can replace it with another mature cheese to make it vegetarian.
Bay leaves – I think bay leaves add a nice flavor to the soup. You can add oregano instead.
Thyme – Dried herbs go great when cooking in the slow cooker. I usually use dried thyme, and yet feel free to also add fresh.
Stock – Vegetable (chicken or beef) stock is perfectly fine. You can also add a cube of chicken stock with water.

Best Instant Post Split Pea Soup, Pressure Cooker Split Pea Soup, Split Pea Soup Recipe, Split Peas in 30 Minutes

Useful Tips and Tools

Dried beans, legumes, and lentils cook amazingly in the Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker. Cooking under pressure not just shorten the time required to cook food but also makes them soft and tender. Meats fall off the bone with a melt in the mouth softness.
I have the Instant Pot. The 3 Quart is a good size for a family of flour, the 6 Quart for a family of 6. These also come pre-programmed for foods like soups, poultry, and meats which is very helpful and it also has yogurt and slow cooker function in it.
I grew up around Pressure Cookersall my life soI have a soft corner for these. My mom used them almost daily. Having said that the Instant pot is said to be safer from the two.
Chopping board and Kitchen knife to cut veggies.
Saucepan and spatula to cook the bechamel sauce.
Soup bowls and soup ladel to serve the soup

Best Instant Post Split Pea Soup, Pressure Cooker Split Pea Soup, Split Pea Soup Recipe, Split Peas in 30 Minutes

Recipe – Instant Pot Split Pea Soup or Pressure Cooker Split Soup (Save/Pin)

Ingredients

2 cups split peas (green or yellow) (6 cups soaked)
3 tbsp olive oil
2 bay leaves
1/2 inch piece ginger
1 clove garlic (med)
1/2 cup celery chopped
1/2 cup onions chopped
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 cup parsley finely chopped
5 cups stock
250 ml milk
1 tsp cornstarch
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Method

Soak Peas

Check the split peas and sort for any unwanted peas.
Wash and soak the split peas for at least an hour to 3 hours.
Drain and wash well again and set aside.

Best Instant Post Split Pea Soup, Pressure Cooker Split Pea Soup, Split Pea Soup Recipe, Split Peas in 30 Minutes

Saute

Add 2 tbsp olive oil to the Instant Pot.
Saute the garlic, ginger, bay leaves for 30 seconds.
Followed by celery and onion – saute until onions are translucent.
Season with salt and pepper.
Then the chopped parsley and drained soaked split peas.
Add 5 cups stock and stir well.

Best Instant Post Split Pea Soup, Pressure Cooker Split Pea Soup, Split Pea Soup Recipe, Split Peas in 30 Minutes

Pressure Cook in Instant Pot

Close the instant pot and set to manual. Make sure the vent in on the sealing position .

Best Instant Post Split Pea Soup, Pressure Cooker Split Pea Soup, Split Pea Soup Recipe,

Pressure cook for 25 minutes (see notes above).

Best Instant Post Split Pea Soup, Pressure Cooker Split Pea Soup, Split Pea Soup Recipe, Split Peas in 30 Minutes

Allow pressure to natural release for 10 to 15 minutes.
Then clear any remaining steam by venting again and open carefully.

Pressure cook in Pressure Cooker

Close the pressure cooker – add the whistle.
Set it on medium high for 25 minutes (see notes above).
Allow pressure to release naturally.
Open pressure cooker carefully.

Finish the soup

Remove the bay leaves and discard (don’t forget this one).
Use a hand blender, blend the soup to a smooth consistency.
Add cornstarch to the milk and combine well.
Then add milk mixture to the pea soup and mix well.
Finally, add the Parmesan cheese and combine well.
Check and adjust seasoning.
Serve garnished with more parmesan cheese if desired.

Best Instant Post Split Pea Soup, Pressure Cooker Split Pea Soup, Split Pea Soup Recipe,

Save this recipe on Pinterest for later.
You can find a collection of my tutorials and recipes here on Pinterest.

Best Instant Post Split Pea Soup, Pressure Cooker Split-Pea Soup, Split Pea Soup Recipe, Split-Peas in 30 Minutes

Instant Pot Split Pea Soup Recipe

Author: Veena Azmanov

This instant pot split pea soup is wholesome, hearty, healthy and nutritious. Made in less than 30 minutes when pressure cooked. It's made with dried split peas, celery, and a few simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. A perfect winter soup whether you make it vegetarian or no vegetarian. Add a side of salad, crusty bread and you have a scrumptious meal.

5 from 4 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Soup

Cuisine: American

Keyword: instant pot, pressure cooker, soup, Split Pea

Adjust Servings Here: 10 servings

Calories: 226kcal

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 25 mins

Soaking Time: 1 hr

Total Time: 35 mins

Ingredients

450 grams Split peas green (6 cups soaked)
3 tbsp Olive oil
2 Bay leaves
1/2 inch Ginger 1 tsp grated
1 clove Garlic med
1/2 cup Celery chopped
1/2 cup Onions chopped
1 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Pepper
1/4 cup Parsley finely chopped
1175 ml Stock
250 ml Milk
1 tsp Cornstarch
1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese grated

Metric - US customary