Have you ever heard of this erwtensoep before? This savory split pea soup recipe is the perfect meal on a cold evening… I love to serve it together with a couple of slices of fresh rye bread and a bunch of creamy salted butter!
This creamy split pea soup recipe brings back lots of memories for me.
Why is that?
Because not that long ago when I was an art student on a tight budget in the big city I would frequently prepare this cheap split pea soup for dinner. Winter or summer, it didn’t matter what temperature it was outside.
I would make a big batch of it over the weekend.
One batch of this split pea soup was good for about 4 generous filling meals for me.
I never grew tired of it!
Memories
I would also toast some bread or make little croutons to go with it.
And if I could afford it I would add a little crunchy fried rashers ofbaconto garnish my soup dinner with. Believe me, it is a great comfort food!
I can still see myself eating this soup while doing homework, a bowl of steaming pea soup to keep me company while proof reading my school essays.
This dish is a simple and cheap yet savory and filling wholesome soup that warms your stomach and heart just like that.
This split pea soup recipe below also reminds me of my granny.
She would add a huge slab of smoked pork belly to the boiling split peas on the stove.
Granny’s Soup
And just let it poach in the pea soup for hours.
That smoky flavor it adds is a great match for this soup. That is why nowadays when I prepare it, I always add some smoked sausages to it.
Not a split pea soup recipe for vegetarian people though…
You can also add other cuts of pork such as pig trotters, raw bacon and even pork ribs.
Another version of this soup is a split pea soup recipe with ham.
I love to serve this split pea soup with rye bread, salted butter and cheese. Or that a couple of slices of that boiled pork belly on the side.
Boy only the mere thought of this heavenly meal makes me drool!
Classic Erwtensoep or Snert
Snert?
What is that?
The Dutch call split pea soup ‘erwtensoep‘,and it also goes by the name of ‘Hollandsesnert‘. It comes with the traditional smoked ‘rookworst’ sausage.
Snert is usually not mixed in the end but served as a very thick and chunky soup.
I prefer to make my split pea soup thick as well but silky.
Lots of recipes also contain vegetables such as onions, carrots, leeks, potatoes and even celeriac. That is what I also did in the very beginning but over the years I left out the vegetables. I like to keep it very basic.
The split peas, garlic and cloves: those are my main ingredients and flavors here.
Best Split Pea Soup Recipe (Erwtensoep)
Don’t forget the cloves in the pea soup.
They give this soup its very particular spicy warm flavor. Be very generous with the freshly ground black pepper as well. This hot pea soup will warm you through and through on a cold day.
Are you done, have you eaten enough?
Don’t worry: this soup tastes even better the day after… I have never put this soup in the freezer before but I suppose it won’t kill that much of its flavor if you do.
Soaking Dried Split Peas
Depending on what brand of dried split peas you areusing for this spit pea soup recipe, you will probably have to soak them in water for a couple of hours in advance or they won’t cook at all.
Just check the instructions on the package to be really sure.
Some people claim that split peas don’t need to be soaked at all.
Well I can honestly say that I once forgot to soak the peas in advance. I cooked them anyway because I wanted to make this soup. End result: the split peas were hard as bullets, even after boiling them for hours.
That is my experience, just saying.
KitchenAid Cook Processor
I also prepared this split pea soup recipe in my KitchenAid Cook Processor!
For that step by step recipe, just scroll down to the second recipe here on this page!
Are you looking for a split pea soup recipe for slow cooker?
Then check this one out from Jade behind Jonesin’ for Taste!
Enjoy!
Best Split Pea Soup Recipe
Split Pea Soup Recipe
Prep Time
2 hrs
Cook Time
1 hr 30 mins
Total Time
3 hrs 30 mins
This savory split pea soup recipe is the perfect meal on a cold evening... Serve it with rye bread and butter!
Course: Lunch, Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: Belgian, Dutch
Servings: 4 people
Calories per serving: 624 kcal
Ingredients
- 1 lb dried split peas (450 g)
- 3 large garlic cloves peeled
- 7 oz bologna sausage (200 g), smoked
- 5 cups water (1,2 l)
- 3 bay leaves
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary
- 1 ½ vegetable bouillon cube or chicken bouillon cube
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves
- nutmeg
- pepper
- salt
Instructions
Soak the split peas in plenty of cold water for at least 3 hours in a large and high pan.
Then drain the peas, add them (back) to the pan together with the peeled garlic cloves, the bay leaves, the fresh rosemary and the cloves.
Pour in the water and add the cubes of chicken or vegetable bouillon. Season with a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper and a pinch of nutmeg.
Stir the ingredients and place the pan over high heat. Bring the ingredients to a good boil. Don’t put a lid on the pan just yet. Keep an eye on it during the first 10 minutes and skim off the grayish starch foam that settles on top. Then cover the pan with a lid, turn the heat a little lower and cook the split peas for about 50 minutes to one hour. In the end the split peas should be very tender, look mushy and fall apart.
Remove the bay leaves and what remains of the rosemary sprig. Add the unsalted butter to the soup. Then mix or blend the mushy cooked peas into a silky soup.
Add extra water if you think the soup is too thick. Check the seasoning and add extra pepper and salt to taste if necessary. Slice the bologna sausage up into bite-size bits and add it to the pea soup. Let the pea soup rest for another 15 minutes. Then scoop the pea soup into large bowls. Serve piping hot with some toasted bread.
Best Split Pea Soup Recipe
Have you ever heard of erwtensoep or snert before?
This savory split pea soup recipe is the perfect meal on a cold evening… Serve it with some sliced rye bread and delicious salted butter!
I also prepared this split pea soup recipe in my KitchenAid Cook Processor of course!
What better kitchen device could I possibly use for this beauty? I soaked the split peas in the bowl of theCook Processor but you can also soak them in a large mixing bowl or something.
MultiBlade
Good to know…
I already added the MultiBlade instead of the StirAssist to the Cook Processor bowl before cooking the soup. I thought that once the peas are mushy and tender I would only make a huge mess while trying to get that StirAssist knife out and insert the MultiBlade.
So I left it in there while the soup was cooking.
Once the program is finished, just press Pulse and there it is: your silky soup without making a mess! Sure the MultiBlade also stirs the soup while cooking, no worries there.
Well here is that Cook Processor step by step split pea soup recipe below!
KitchenAid Cook Processor
I love this classic erwtensoep to bits!
This savory split pea soup recipe is the perfect meal when it is cold and dark outside in the winter…The best way to eat it is with a couple of slices of rye bread covered with a good portion of soft unsalted butter on top!
What a lovely comfort food treat.
Enjoy…
Best Split Pea Soup Recipe
Best Split Pea Soup Recipe (Erwtensoep)
Prep Time
2 hrs
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
3 hrs
This savory split pea soup recipe is the perfect meal on a cold evening... Serve it with rye bread and butter!
Course: Lunch, Main Course, Soup, Starter
Cuisine: Belgian, Dutch
Servings: 4 people
Calories per serving: 624 kcal
Ingredients
- 1 lb dried split peas (450 g)
- 3 large garlic cloves peeled
- 7 oz bologna sausage (200 g), smoked
- 5 cups water (1,2 l)
- 3 bay leaves
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary
- 1 vegetable bouillon cube or chicken bouillon cube
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves
- nutmeg
- pepper
- salt
Instructions
Soak the split peas in water for at least 2 hours in a large pan or in the bowl of your Cook Processor.
Drain the split peas and add them to the bowl of your KitchenAid Cook Processor fitted with the MultiBlade. Add the peeled garlic, bay leaves, fresh rosemary and cloves.
Pour in the water and add the cube of bouillon. Season with a dash of pepper and a pinch of nutmeg.
Close the bowl of the Cook Processor and select BOIL P1. Adjust the cooking time to 1 hour. Press Start to activate the program. Set the lowest speed INT. In the end the split peas should be very tender, look mushy and fall apart. Press cancel to exit the keep warm mode.
Remove the bay leaves and what remains of the rosemary sprig. Add the unsalted butter. Close the lid and blend the ingredients into a very silky soup.
Add extra water if you think the soup is too thick. Then check the seasoning and add extra pepper or salt to taste if necessary. Remove the MultiBlade and insert the StirAssist. Slice the bologna sausage up into bite-size bits and add it to the pea soup. Close the lid and press Quick Stir for a couple of seconds. Let the pea soup rest for another 15 minutes. Then scoop the pea soup into large bowls. Serve piping hot with some toasted bread.
What Are Split Peas?
Split peas are legumes derived from the dried, peeled, and split seeds of the Pisum sativum plant.
After harvesting, the outer skin is removed, and the peas are split in half. There are green and yellow varieties, with green peas having a recessive phenotype. Nutritionally, split peas are high in protein, low in fat, and rich in dietary fiber.
They are used globally in various dishes, including pea soup, Iranian khoresh gheymeh, Indian dal, Dutch erwtensoep, and Greek “fáva.” These versatile legumes offer both culinary delight and nutritional benefits!
Split peas are also a verygood source of fibers and proteinsand are low in fat. Theyalso contain high amounts of calcium and vitamins A and B.
What is a good substitute for split peas in a split pe a soup?
Lentils work well as a substitute for split peas. They are also legumes, high in protein and fiber, and have a similar nutritional profile. You can use lentils in place of split peas, but be aware that both texture and taste may be slightly altered. Yellow split peas can be replaced with green lentils, and vice versa. Adjust your cooking times accordingly.
If you don’t have dried split peas readily available, canned green peas or canned lentils (rinsed and drained) can be used as substitutes. Keep in mind that these alternatives will offer a different flavor and texture compared to split peas.
Check your recipe thoroughly, as some dishes may recommend specific substitutes based on taste and texture preferences.
Split Pea Recipes
Any other recipe ideas besides my highly delicious split pea soup recipe?
What else can you prepare with it besides my split peas soup recipe? The very first idea that pops up in my head is: a curry! And then I am mainly thinking of Indian curries. Maybe you might be familiar with dishes like dal or dhal?
OK strictly speaking, dal dishes actually contain lentils. That is another type of dried pulse. But I can not see why replacing lentils by split peas in a dal curry would not work.
So split pea curry it is!
More
Do we have any other recipe ideas here?
How about a variation on the classic chickpea hummus?
Cook the soaked split peas with a bunch of spices, let them cook, pour them in a blender and give it a good stir until it is creamy, velvety and super delicious… a green split pea hummus: sounds almighty delicious and creative to me!
Split Pea Falafels
Let’s keep the brainstorm train running.
Falafel!
Now stop there for a minute. If you take a quick look at my falafel recipe with chickpeas, you can see that I am using soaked but uncooked chickpeas. I would definitely do the same here with the split peas honestly! Another thing I would do for sure: add way more green herbs to make the inside of your falafels extra green.
Veggie Burgers
Split pea falafels also steer my thoughts into the direction of split pea burgers or split pea fritters: take the same split pea falafel mixture but instead of shaping them into balls, make flat patties!
I think I have enough split pea recipe ideas here for the rest of this year.
I really like the idea of the green split pea falafels, I would love to try those out!
In the meantime…
Enjoy my split pea soup recipe!
