This easy yellow split pea soup is thick, hearty, and made in one pot with pantry staples. It’s loaded with plant-based protein and fiber to keep you full, and it’s perfect for meal prep and the freezer!
Quick Glance
- Time: 10 minutes of prep and about 45 minutes of simmering.
- Serves: 6.
- One pot: Everything cooks together on the stovetop.
- No soaking: Just rinse the split peas and add them to the pot.
- Quick Tip: Blend part of the soup for an extra creamy texture.
Jump to:
When you want a filling, budget-friendly dinner, this yellow split pea soup is so satisfying. The split peas break down as they simmer with onion, carrots, celery, garlic, and thyme, turning the broth thick and creamy without any cream. Love hearty soups? You might also enjoy my vegan broccoli cheddar soup, butternut squash carrot soup, or Instant Pot navy bean soup.
Why You’ll Love This Yellow Split Pea Soup
- Pantry ingredients: Dried split peas, broth, and a few everyday vegetables.
- Filling and nutritious: Split peas are packed with plant-based protein and fiber.
- Meal prep friendly: It tastes even better the next day.
- Freezer-friendly: Freeze it in portions for easy lunches.
Ingredient Notes
Please refer to the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and quantities.
- Dried yellow split peas: Rinse them well and pick out any small stones or debris.
- Vegetable broth: I like Better Than Bouillon, but any vegetable broth works.
- Onion, carrots, celery, and garlic: The classic soup base.
- Dried thyme and bay leaves: These add a savory, herby flavor.
- Olive or vegetable oil, salt, and black pepper.
How to Make Yellow Split Pea Soup
Step 1: Cook the onion. Rinse and sort the split peas and dice the vegetables. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat and cook the onion for 4 to 5 minutes, until softened.
Step 2: Add the vegetables. Add the garlic, carrots, and celery and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 3: Toast the seasonings. Stir in the thyme, bay leaves, black pepper, and salt, and cook for 30 seconds.
Step 4: Add the split peas. Add the rinsed split peas and stir them into the vegetables.
Step 5: Simmer. Pour in the broth and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 40 to 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the peas are very soft and the soup is thick.
Step 6: Season and serve. Remove the bay leaves, then taste and add more salt and pepper if needed. Serve warm.
Want it creamier? Blend part or all of the soup with an immersion blender right in the pot.
Recipe Variations
I haven’t tested these, but they’re fun ways to change it up:
- Spices: Add smoked paprika, cumin, turmeric, or curry powder.
- A splash of acid: Stir in lemon juice or apple cider vinegar before serving.
- More vegetables: Add potatoes, sweet potatoes, spinach, or kale.
- Smoky flavor: Add smoked tofu, vegan ham, or a few drops of liquid smoke.
FAQs
No. Just rinse them to remove any dust or debris. Soaking them overnight can shorten the cooking time a little.
Yellow split peas have a milder, slightly sweeter flavor than green split peas. Both cook into a thick, creamy soup.
The cooking time depends on the age of the split peas and the size of your pot. Older split peas can take much longer to soften, so keep simmering and add more broth as needed.
Yes. For the best flavor, cook the vegetables on the stovetop first, then add everything to a slow cooker and cook on LOW for 7 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours.
The soup thickens as it sits. Stir in more broth or water until it’s the consistency you like.
Toni’s Recipe Tips
- Rinse and sort: Look over the split peas for any small stones before cooking.
- Brown the vegetables: Letting them cook a little longer adds deeper flavor.
- Stir occasionally: Split peas can stick to the bottom of the pot as they thicken.
- Make it ahead: This soup tastes even better on day two.
Serving Suggestions
- Toppings: Fresh parsley, croutons, crispy chickpeas, toasted pumpkin seeds, or a drizzle of chili oil.
- Bread: Crusty bread, air fryer garlic bread, garlic herb focaccia, or fluffy vegan dinner rolls.
- Sandwiches: A vegan tea sandwich or vegan grilled cheese.
- Salad: A simple side salad or kale salad.
Storage Instructions
Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for 4 to 5 days.
Freeze: Freeze in freezer bags, laid flat, or in freezer-safe containers for 3 to 4 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
Reheat: Warm it on the stove over medium-low heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or water since it thickens as it cools.
If you tried this easy yellow split pea soup or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks!
More Vegan Soup Recipes
Easy Yellow Split Pea Soup
Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email & get this sent to your inbox! Plus you'll get great new recipes from me every week!
Equipment
- Immersion Blender optional
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive or vegetable oil
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 2 carrots diced
- 3 celery ribs diced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt plus more to taste
- 1 ½ cups dried yellow split peas rinsed
- 8 cups vegetable broth
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add the onion and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until softened.
- Add the garlic, carrots, and celery and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the thyme, bay leaves, black pepper, and salt. Cook for 30 seconds to toast the spices.
- Add the rinsed split peas and vegetable broth. Stir well.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
- Cover and cook for 40 to 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the peas are very soft and the soup is thick.
- Remove the bay leaves.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
- Serve warm.
Notes
- The soup will thicken as it cools. Add more broth or water when reheating if needed.
- For a smoother texture, blend part or all of the soup using an immersion blender.
- No soaking is needed for split peas, but rinsing them is important to make sure any small pebbles or debris are removed.
Leave a Reply