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Kid-approved slow cooker pea soup
A hearty, hands-off soup that’s budget-friendly, kid-approved, and perfect for using up leftover ham.

Kid-approved slow cooker pea soup
Ingredients
- 1 pound split peas
- 5 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups water
- 1 ham bone or 2 cups leftover ham
- 3 celery ribs, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Why this recipe is great for families
The slow cooker split pea soup is a great way to make use of a ham bone or leftover ham. It's hearty, nutritious, and incredibly easy to make. You can toss the ingredients into the slow cooker and let it simmer all day without needing to watch it closely. It's packed with vegetables and protein, making it a filling, wholesome meal, and the smooth, comforting texture is kid-friendly. It’s also budget-friendly and makes plenty of leftovers, which is helpful for busy families.
Our recipe calls for 8 hours on low, but it can be made in 4-5 hours on high in the slow cooker. If you select the speedier option, you'll need to soak the peas the night before in clean water. Drain and rinse the soaked peas before using.
Feel free to adjust the thickness of the soup by using less water at the start.
Serve with crusty bread for dipping.
Instructions:
- Clean the peas
- Rinse peas in a colander
- Combine and cook
- Add all ingredients to the slow cooker except for the parsley
- Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or 4-5 hours on high.
- Prep to serve
- Remove the bay leaf
- Top with parsley
- Season with salt to taste
