Ina Garten’s Cozy Split Pea Soup with Crispy Kielbasa Recipe

Split pea soup transforms humble ingredients into a comforting culinary embrace that warms your soul on chilly days.

Green legumes mingle with aromatic vegetables, creating a rich tapestry of flavors that dance across your palate.

Humble yet sophisticated, this classic dish carries memories of grandmother’s kitchen and winter gatherings.

The rustic charm of split pea soup speaks to our fundamental desire for nourishing, unpretentious meals that satisfy deep hunger.

Its velvety texture and deep green hue promise a hearty experience that transcends simple sustenance.

Smoky hints from carefully selected ingredients elevate this traditional recipe from ordinary to extraordinary.

Each spoonful tells a story of slow cooking and patient preparation: come hungry and leave fulfilled.

Why Split Pea Soup with Kielbasa Is a Game-Changer

• Elevate Comfort with Hearty Layers: This split pea soup transforms simple ingredients into a rich, satisfying meal that wraps you in warmth. Each spoonful blends tender split peas with deeply developed vegetable flavors, creating a soul-soothing experience that feels like a culinary hug.
• Master Easy Gourmet Technique: Ina Garten's method turns complex cooking into straightforward steps anyone can follow. By partially puréeing the soup, you create a luxuriously creamy texture without complicated techniques, making restaurant-quality dining achievable in your own kitchen.
• Celebrate Crispy Protein Contrast: The golden, sizzling kielbasa adds a delightful crunch and smoky flavor that perfectly cuts through the soup's smoothness. This smart garnish transforms an ordinary soup into a textural adventure, ensuring each bite offers surprising and delicious moments of excitement.

What You’ll Need for Ina’s Split Pea Soup

Main Ingredients:

• Split Peas: Hearty base for the soup, providing creamy texture and rich protein content. Green or yellow varieties work well.

• Smoked Ham Hock, Kielbasa: Deep smoky flavor enhancer and protein source. Choose high-quality, well-marbled kielbasa for best results.

• Leeks, Onions, Carrots: Classic flavor foundation with sweet and earthy undertones. Fresh, firm vegetables ensure best taste.
• Garlic: Adds robust depth and aromatic complexity to the soup.

• Thyme Sprigs, Bay Leaves: Provide subtle herbal notes and traditional soup complexity. Fresh herbs preferred over dried.
• Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasoning for balanced flavor profile. Freshly ground black pepper recommended.

• Chicken Stock, Water: Creates soup's consistency and adds fundamental flavor. Homemade stock provides richer taste.

• Fresh Parsley: Bright, fresh garnish that adds color and light herbaceous note.

• Olive Oil: Provides smooth cooking medium and subtle background flavor. Extra virgin preferred for better taste.

Simmering Up Split Pea Soup With Crispy Kielbasa

Step 1: Prepare Vegetable Base

• Leeks
• Onions
• Carrots

Sauté until soft and lightly golden, about 7-8 minutes. Toss in minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.

Step 2: Introduce Split Peas and Liquid

• Chicken stock
• Water

• Smoked ham hock
• Fresh thyme sprigs
• Bay leaves
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil.

Step 3: Slow Simmer

Reduce heat and allow soup to gently simmer. Cover partially and let flavors meld for approximately 1¼ hours. Stir occasionally, increasing frequency after 45 minutes to prevent sticking.

Step 4: Create Creamy Texture

Remove herb sprigs and ham hock. Using a food processor, blend two cups of soup until smooth. Return puréed portion to the pot, adjusting liquid consistency as needed.

Step 5: Crisp Kielbasa Topping

In a separate skillet, heat olive oil. Add sliced smoked kielbasa and cook until edges turn crispy and brown, about 5-6 minutes.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Ladle hot soup into bowls. Top with crispy kielbasa slices and sprinkle fresh parsley for a vibrant finish.

Tips for Bold Flavors and Great Texture

• Boost Stock Quality: Select premium chicken stock, either homemade or top-tier store-bought, to elevate the soup's depth and richness.
• Master Vegetable Sautéing: Slowly cook leeks, onions, and carrots until they're soft and slightly caramelized, unlocking deeper, more complex flavors.
• Prevent Soup Scorching: Stir frequently during the final 30 minutes of cooking, especially as the soup thickens, to avoid burning and ensure even heating.
• Customize Soup Consistency: Keep chicken stock or water nearby to adjust thickness, creating your perfect soup texture with simple additions.
• Transform Kielbasa Texture: Carefully brown kielbasa slices to create a delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soup's smooth, velvety base.

Storing This Soup for Future Comfort Meals

• Freeze: Preserve the soup's rich flavors by storing in heavy-duty freezer containers with 1-inch headspace. Seal tightly to prevent freezer burn and maintain quality for up to 3 months. Label containers with date and contents for easy tracking.
• Refrigerate: Carefully transfer cooled soup to glass or ceramic containers with tight-fitting lids. Store in the coldest part of the refrigerator, typically the back shelf, where temperature remains most consistent. Consume within 3-4 days for optimal taste and safety.
• Reheat: Gently warm soup in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring frequently to prevent scorching. Add splash of water or broth if soup appears too thick. Stir until heated thoroughly and serve immediately for best texture and flavor.

Tasty Variations to Make It Your Own

• Green Pea Power Boost: Swap split peas with fresh green peas and add spinach for an extra nutrient-packed version with vibrant green color and lighter texture.
• Smoky Vegetarian Transformation: Replace ham hock with smoked paprika and add mushrooms for deep umami flavor, creating a plant-based protein-rich alternative that maintains rich smokiness.
• Spicy Mediterranean Remix: Incorporate chorizo instead of kielbasa, add crushed red pepper flakes, and finish with a dollop of harissa for a zesty Mediterranean-inspired interpretation with dynamic heat and complexity.
• Root Vegetable Fusion: Include additional root vegetables like parsnips and celery root alongside carrots, enhancing the soup's earthiness and providing more diverse nutritional profile with subtle sweet undertones.

Last Spoonful of Savory Satisfaction

Culinary magic emerges from Ina Garten’s split pea soup, where hearty ingredients dance together in harmonious comfort.

Rich layers of flavor unfold with each spoonful, highlighting the rustic charm of classic cooking.

Smoky kielbasa adds a delightful crunch, transforming simple ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Nourishing and satisfying, this soup embraces traditional cooking techniques with modern elegance.

Mediterranean-inspired herbs whisper subtle complexity through each carefully crafted bowl.

Friends and family will savor this soul-warming dish, eager to experience its delectable warmth – so grab your ladle, share this recipe, comment below, and spread deliciousness across your culinary world!

Ina Garten Split Pea Soup With Crispy Kielbasa Recipe

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4.5 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s split pea soup elevates comfort dining with hearty Polish kielbasa and creamy green legumes. Rich Mediterranean flavors mingle in this classic winter recipe that will warm souls and satisfy hungry families seeking delicious homestyle cooking.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Proteins:

• 1 smoked ham hock
• 340 g / 12 ounces smoked kielbasa, halved lengthwise and sliced diagonally into ¼-inch thick pieces

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 300 g / 2 cups chopped leeks (white and light green parts, from about 2 leeks)
• 225 g / 1½ cups chopped yellow onion (1 large)
• 300 g / 2 cups diced carrots (½-inch dice, from about 3 large carrots)
• 15 ml / 1 tablespoon minced garlic (about 3 cloves)

Legumes, Liquids, and Seasonings:

• 450 g / 1 pound dry green split peas
• 2 litres / 8 cups chicken stock (preferably homemade)
• 60 ml / ¼ cup olive oil
• 8 sprigs fresh thyme, tied with kitchen twine
• 2 large fresh bay leaves
• 12 g / 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 5 g / 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Minced fresh parsley (for serving)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the aromatic base by heating olive oil (/ ¼ cup) in a large Dutch oven over medium-high temperature. Introduce chopped leeks (/ ), diced onions (/ 1½ cups), and carrots (/ ). Sauté for 7-8 minutes, stirring intermittently until vegetables soften and develop a light golden hue.
2. Incorporate minced garlic (/ ) and cook for an additional minute, releasing its fragrant essence.
3. Add split peas (/ ), gently coating them in the seasoned oil. Toast briefly for 1 minute to enhance their nutty flavor.
4. Pour in chicken stock (2 litres / ) and water (). Introduce the smoked ham hock, fresh thyme sprigs (8), bay leaves (2), kosher salt (/ ), and black pepper (/ ). Bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
5. Reduce heat and allow the soup to simmer, partially covered, for approximately 1¼ hours. After 45 minutes, increase stirring frequency to prevent bottom scorching.
6. Once split peas reach a tender consistency, remove herb bundle, bay leaves, and ham hock. Extract of soup and purée until smooth, then reintegrate into the pot.
7. Adjust soup consistency by adding additional broth or water if needed.
8. In a separate sauté pan, heat olive oil () and crisp the smoked kielbasa (/ ) over medium heat for 5-6 minutes, turning occasionally until edges caramelize.
9. Ladle the hot soup into serving bowls, garnish with crispy kielbasa slices and freshly chopped parsley.

Notes

• Crumble cold bacon over the top for an extra layer of smoky crunch that elevates the entire dish.
• Leftover soup tastes even better the next day as flavors meld and intensify overnight in the refrigerator.
• Serve with crusty sourdough bread or buttery crackers to soak up the rich, hearty broth.
• Customize heat levels by adding red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for those who enjoy spicier profiles.
• Chop ingredients uniformly to ensure consistent cooking and balanced texture throughout the soup.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer.
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cup (253g)
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 13g
• Sodium: 420mg
• Fat: 2g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 5g
• Protein: 10g
• Cholesterol: 5mg