Spiced Split Pea Soup Recipe
This warming winter-y soup is both easy and delicious. Made with protein rich yellow split peas and featuring an array of Eastern inspired spices, it’s the perfect answer to busy weeknight dinners.
“Winter is the time for comfort. For good food and warmth.” – Edith Sitwell
Yesterday was the first day of December, meaning winter is starting to peek it’s head around the corner (I have very mixed feelings about that) and the colder weather is making it’s way into our lives. Warmer, heartier and more comforting recipes begin to feel essential and soups, stews and chilli’s start to make their way onto the heavy rotation list.
Yellow split pea soup is a hugely popular dish in Canada and has been for nearly 400 years, thanks to our neighbours in Quebec. Unlike many other beans and legumes that require soaking time, yellow split peas are insanely low maintenance and can be tossed directly into the broth. Just give them a rinse and they’re good to go! They are also loaded with vegan-friendly protein. Approximately one cup of cooked yellow split peas has 16 grams of protein! They are also low fat and suitable for a low-glycemic diet.
I have been making a vegan-ized version of traditional Quebecois split pea soup for many years now. Even my picky eater gives me little to no grief about it and especially loves it served with warm biscuits or garlic toast. However, I have noticed a lack-lustre response the past few times I have served this soup. I guess after a few years, the magic has worn off a bit.
So I decided to breathe new life into this simple and easy soup recipe, by adding some additional spices and giving it a new flair. Seeing as 4 out of 5 of my family members are wildly in-love with eastern spices and Indian cuisine, I figured this might be a great way to liven up the soup dish.
It was a total success! Next time, I will most definitely serve this yellow split pea soup with warm garlic naan bread. Let’s have a look at the easy list of ingredients, so you can add Spiced Split Pea Soup to your winter soup rotation!
Spiced Split Pea Soup – Ingredients
Yellow Split Peas – Yellow split peas are mildly sweet in flavor, while tender in texture. Yellow split peas can be used in soups, stews, salads, and side dishes; they also mash or blend easily to add texture, thickness, and depth to recipes. Be certain to rinse before adding to a recipe.
Broth & Water – As we will be adding many spices and flavours to this split pea soup recipe, I prefer to use a 50/50 water to broth option, or make my own weak broth using Better Than Bouillon – Vegetable Soup Base.
Vegetables – Keeping things traditional in the vegetable department, we are using a classic mirepoix blend of onions, carrots and celery. We will also be adding in 2 cloves of freshly chopped or pressed garlic.
Spices – Here is where the pea soup really comes to life. We are using a blend of cumin, coriander, turmeric, fennel, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove. Feel free use to pre-gound spices or if you are culinary snob like me, freshly grind spices before adding to create a very vibrant dish.
Other ingredients include: neutral oil, salt and black pepper.
How to Make Spiced Split Pea Soup
Step one: Heat oil in a large stock pot over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and saute for 3 minutes. Toss in garlic, celery and carrots, saute for another 2 minutes.
Step two: Add spices and stirring constantly, saute for approx. 30 seconds (this will just help bring the dried spices to life)
Step three: Pour in broth, water and rinsed yellow split peas. Raise stove setting to high, and bring contents to boil.
Step four: Reduce heat to low, cover and lightly simmer for 60-75 minutes (or until yellow split peas are soft and tender, which will vary on brand and size of peas.).
Step five: If desired, use a food processor or immersion tool to blend the soup. I like to puree about half the soup, leaving the other half thicker and chunkier, then combining them together. However, this is totally optional. Taste for desired saltiness and add more if needed. Season with black pepper.
Helpful Tips:
- For an extra heartier and creamier (if blending) split pea soup, add in two medium sized peeled and chopped potatoes when adding the other vegetables to the soup.
- Split peas can vary and absorb the liquid differently. If you feel you need to add more broth or water, add 1/4 cup at time, as to not add too much liquid.
- If the split pea soup isn’t thickening up as much as you’d like while cooking, uncovered for the final 20-30 minutes of simmering time.
- Split pea soup is notorious for thickening as it rests and cools. When reheating, it can be thinned with more water or broth.
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Spiced Split Pea Soup - Vegan & Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 3 cups dried yellow split peas (rinsed and sorted)
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 4 cups water
- 3 medium carrots (peeled and chopped)
- 3 stalks celery (peeled and chopped)
- 1/2 cup yellow or white onion (chopped)
- 2 cloves fresh garlic (minced)
- 1 tsp sea salt (more or less if desired)
- black pepper - to taste
Spice Mix
- 1/2 tbsp cumin
- 1/2 tbsp coriander
- 3/4 tsp turmeric
- 1/2 tsp fennel seed
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp clove
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large stock pot over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and saute for 3 minutes. Toss in garlic, celery and carrots, saute for another 2 minutes.
- Add spices and stirring constantly, saute for approx. 30 seconds (this will just help bring the dried spices to life)
- Pour in broth, water and rinsed yellow split peas. Raise stove setting to high, and bring contents to boil.
- Reduce heat to low, cover and lightly simmer for 60-75 minutes (or until yellow split peas are soft and tender, which will vary on brand and size of peas.).
- If desired, use a food processor or immersion tool to blend the soup. I like to puree about half the soup, leaving the other half thicker and chunkier, then combining them together. However, this is totally optional. Taste for desired saltiness and add more if needed. Season with black pepper.
Notes
- For an extra heartier and creamier (if blending) split pea soup, add in two medium sized peeled and chopped potatoes when adding the other vegetables to the soup.
- Split peas can vary and absorb the liquid differently. If you feel you need to add more broth or water, add 1/4 cup at time, as to not add too much liquid.
- If the split pea soup isn't thickening up as much as you'd like while cooking, uncovered for the final 20-30 minutes of simmering time.
- Split pea soup is notorious for thickening as it rests and cools. When reheating, it can be thinned with more water or broth.
