Easy and so much quicker than stovetop, this instant pot Split pea soup has a wonderful velvety texture and is packed full of fresh flavors.
Scroll up to watch the recipe video!
Turn on the saute/browning function in your Instant Pot or other electric pressure cooker and add two tablespoons of olive oil. Use the 'adjust' button to turn it to the medium saute heat.
Add the diced onions, diced celery, and carrots to the pot and saute for five minutes, stirring frequently, then turn off the saute function.
Add the ham hock or smoked turkey leg, chicken broth, dried split yellow peas, garlic, bay leaf, and fresh thyme to the pot.
Lock the lid, turn the steam release vent to 'sealing' and using the manual setting, adjust it to cook for 15 minutes at high pressure.
When the cook time time is complete allow the unit to reduce pressure on its own without opening the steam release vent (Natural Pressure Release) for 15 minutes, or until the pin has dropped, then open the lid.
Remove the ham hock or smoked turkey leg and remove and chop up the meat from the bones and add it back to the soup, some ham hocks have very little meat on them so it just depends on what yours are like.
Taste the soup and add additional salt and pepper as needed, garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
Pressure cooker size - I used a 6qt Instant Pot and the recipe will work in an 8qt size without any adjustments. If cooking in the 3qt mini you will probably need to cut the recipe in half to make it fit, but the cook time will remain the same.
Total cook time - will take about 45 minutes total, including 15 minutes (approx) to come to pressure, 15 minutes at pressure and then another 10-15 minutes for the pressure to drop.
Split peas, Yellow and Green - you can use either green or yellow split peas for this soup, they both work equally well. There is no need to pre soak them as they will cook perfectly in your pressure cooker.
Ham Hock, or Ham Bone - If you are cooking a ham for the holidays you can freeze the bone to use for this soup, and yes, you can use it from frozen! The cook time remains the same but it will take longer to come to pressure because of the frozen bone. Ham Hock also works well to impart the same flavor.
Smoked Turkey Leg - If you can't find a ham hock or ham bone you can use a smoked turkey leg for a similar smokey flavor, it works great!
Storage - soup will keep in the fridge for up to four days and can be frozen very easily, I recommend defrosting overnight in the fridge.
High Altitude Cooking - if cooking at altitude you may need to increase the cooking time by five or ten minutes to make sure the split peas are fully cooked.
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