Jamie Oliver Slow Cooker Ham And Pea Soup Recipe

Quick & Cozy Jamie Oliver Slow Cooker Ham And Pea Soup Recipe

Slow cooker ham and pea soup transforms humble ingredients into a soul-warming culinary experience that whispers comfort with each spoonful.

Rustic and deeply satisfying, this hearty soup celebrates the magic of low-and-slow cooking techniques.

Rich broth carries memories of farmhouse kitchens, where simple ingredients become extraordinary through patient simmering.

Tender meat mingles with soft vegetables, creating layers of complex flavor that dance across your palate.

Nutritious and filling, the soup promises warmth during chilly evenings and delivers maximum satisfaction with minimal effort.

Earthy herbs and robust vegetables elevate this traditional recipe beyond ordinary expectations.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this classic combination, turning basic components into something truly magnificent: get ready to fall in love with soup.

Why Jamie Oliver’s Slow Cooker Ham and Pea Soup Is So Comforting

  • Savor Rich Flavor Depth: Slow cooking ham hocks with vegetables creates an incredibly deep, complex taste profile that develops layers of savory goodness through patient preparation and careful simmering.
  • Master Easy Comfort Cooking: This one-pot wonder requires minimal technical skills while delivering maximum satisfaction, making it perfect for home cooks wanting delicious results without complicated techniques.
  • Enjoy Nutritious Protein-Packed Meal: Packed with tender shredded ham, pearl barley, and vegetables, the soup delivers substantial nutrition and hearty satisfaction in every warming spoonful, ideal for cold days and hunger-busting meals.
  • Transform Simple Ingredients: Jamie Oliver's recipe magically turns basic pantry staples like ham hocks, vegetables, and stock into a restaurant-quality soup that feels luxurious yet incredibly straightforward to prepare.

Key Ingredients for Jamie Oliver Slow Cooker Ham and Pea Soup

Meat and Protein:
  • Ham Hocks: Rich, flavorful base for soup with deep meaty taste. Choose fresh, not too dried out ham hocks from a good butcher.
  • Chicken Stock: Provides additional depth and liquid base for the soup. Low sodium stock works best for controlling salt levels.
Vegetables:
  • Leeks, Celery, Carrots: Classic soup vegetable blend for aromatic background flavor. Fresh, crisp vegetables will enhance overall soup quality.
  • Frozen Peas: Adds bright green color and sweet vegetable texture. Quick-cooking and convenient ingredient.
Herbs and Seasonings:
  • Bay Leaves: Provides subtle herbal undertone and depth to the soup. Whole leaves can be removed before serving.
  • Curly Parsley: Fresh herb that adds bright, clean finish to the soup. Chop just before adding for maximum flavor.
  • Pearl Barley: Hearty grain that adds thickness and texture to the soup. Provides additional nutritional value and substance.
  • Mint Sauce: Adds tangy, sweet herbal note to complete the soup's flavor profile. Traditional British condiment for ham dishes.

Straightforward Steps for Jamie Oliver Ham and Pea Soup

Straightforward Steps for Jamie Oliver Ham and Pea Soup

Step 1: Prepare Ham Hocks for Soaking

Place ham hocks in a large pot with cold water. Let them soak overnight to reduce saltiness. This helps remove excess salt and improve the flavor of the soup.

Step 2: Rinse and Boil Ham Hocks

Drain and thoroughly rinse the soaked ham hocks. Fill the pot with fresh cold water, bring to a boil, then drain and rinse again to further remove salt.

Step 3: Chop Vegetables

Finely slice:
  • Leeks
  • Celery
  • Carrots

Step 4: Sauté Vegetable Base

Heat olive oil in a large casserole pan. Add:
  • Sliced vegetables
  • Bay leaves

Cook over medium heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until vegetables become soft but not browned.

Step 5: Combine Soup Ingredients

Add to the pan:
  • Rinsed ham hocks
  • Pearl barley
  • Chicken stock

Step 6: Slow Cook the Soup

Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 3 hours. Check periodically and add more stock or water if mixture becomes too dry.

Step 7: Shred Ham Meat

Remove ham hocks from the pan. Shred meat, discarding fat and bones. Return shredded meat to the pan.

Step 8: Add Frozen Peas

Increase heat and add frozen peas. Cook until peas are tender and heated through.

Step 9: Finish and Serve

Stir in:
  • Chopped curly parsley
  • 1 heaped tablespoon of mint sauce

Serve hot with slices of bread and English mustard on the side.

Handy Tips for Jamie Oliver’s Slow Cooker Ham & Pea Soup

Recipe Tips:
  • Freeze with Finesse: Store leftover soup in airtight containers for quick future meals, maintaining flavor and texture up to 3 months.
  • Boost Protein Power: Stir in pearl barley for extra heartiness, transforming the soup from simple to substantially satisfying.
  • Garnish with Gusto: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley and mint just before serving to elevate the soup's brightness and aromatic profile.
  • Shred Smartly: Remove ham hock meat carefully, discarding fat and bones to ensure tender, flavorful protein in every bite.
  • Control Liquid Levels: Monitor soup consistency throughout cooking, adding stock or water to prevent drying and maintain perfect texture.

Keeping Jamie Oliver’s Slow Cooker Ham & Pea Soup Fresh

Freezer Storage: Transfer soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving space for expansion. Label with date and contents. Properly sealed, the soup maintains quality for 2-3 months, offering a convenient meal option during busy weeks.

Refrigerator Preservation: Cool soup completely before storing in an airtight container. Place in the coldest section of the refrigerator, typically the back of the bottom shelf. Consume within 3-4 days for optimal flavor and safety, ensuring each spoonful tastes as delicious as the first serving.

Reheating Technique: Warm gently on the stovetop, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even heating. Avoid microwaving, which can compromise the texture of pearl barley and meat. Add a splash of water or broth if the soup appears too thick, restoring its original creamy consistency.

Fun Twists on Jamie Oliver’s Slow Cooker Ham & Pea Soup

  • Country Farmhouse Version: Replace pearl barley with diced potatoes for a heartier, rustic soup that captures traditional countryside cooking. Add smoked bacon bits for extra depth and richness.
  • Green Garden Refresh: Swap ham hocks with chicken thighs and introduce additional green vegetables like zucchini and spinach. Increase herb content by using fresh thyme and rosemary alongside parsley.
  • Spicy Mediterranean Adaptation: Incorporate chorizo sausage instead of ham hocks, add roasted red peppers, and season with smoked paprika. Replace mint sauce with a dollop of harissa paste for a bold, warming kick.
  • Protein-Packed Winter Warmer: Use a combination of ham hocks and leftover roasted chicken, increase pearl barley quantity, and add white beans for extra protein. Garnish with crispy pancetta crumbles and extra virgin olive oil.

A Quick Note on Jamie Oliver’s Slow Cooker Ham & Pea Soup

Jamie Oliver’s slow cooker ham and pea soup emerges as pure comfort on cold days.

Hearty ingredients meld into a symphony of warmth and flavor, celebrating classic British culinary traditions.

Rich ham hocks infuse depth while pearl barley adds satisfying texture to each spoonful.

Delicate vegetables create subtle nuanced layers underneath robust meat undertones.

Fragrant herbs like mint and parsley elevate this rustic soup from simple meal to memorable experience.

Soul-warming goodness beckons you to savor each comforting bite, share this recipe with friends, double-tap if this sounds delicious, and spread culinary joy through social media connections.

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Jamie Oliver Slow Cooker Ham And Pea Soup Recipe

Jamie Oliver Slow Cooker Ham And Pea Soup Recipe


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4.9 from 12 reviews

  • Total Time: 3 hours 25 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Jamie Oliver’s slow cooker ham and pea soup delivers comforting British countryside flavors in one hearty bowl. Home cooks can savor rich, smoky ham blended with sweet green peas, creating a soul-warming meal perfect for chilly evenings.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Proteins:

  • 3 Ham Hocks (about 2.3 kilograms / 5.1 pounds total)
  • 1 Liter (4.2 cups) Organic Chicken Stock

Vegetables and Grains:

  • 400 grams (14.1 ounces) Frozen Peas
  • 100 grams (3.5 ounces) Pearl Barley
  • 2 Leeks
  • 1 Celery Stick
  • 3 Carrots

Herbs and Seasonings:

  • 2 Fresh Bay Leaves
  • ½ Bunch Fresh Curly Parsley
  • 1 Heaped Tablespoon Mint Sauce
  • Olive Oil

Instructions

  1. Submerge ham hocks in a generously sized pot filled with frigid water and allow them to marinate overnight, effectively extracting surplus salt.
  2. Thoroughly drain and cleanse the ham hocks, then replenish the pot with pristine cold water and initiate a rolling boil. Perform a secondary draining and rinsing to eliminate residual saltiness.
  3. Meticulously dice the leeks, celery, and carrots into uniform, delicate segments.
  4. Drizzle olive oil (30 milliliters or 2 tablespoons) into a substantial casserole pan, introducing the sliced vegetables and aromatic bay leaves.
  5. Sauté the vegetable medley over moderate heat for approximately 15 minutes, periodically stirring to ensure even softening without caramelization.
  6. Incorporate the sanitized ham hocks, pearl barley, and chicken stock into the pan alongside the softened vegetables.
  7. Elevate the mixture to a vigorous boil, then reduce temperature to a gentle simmer. Cover the pan and allow the concoction to meld for 3 hours, intermittently monitoring liquid levels and supplementing with additional stock or water if necessary.
  8. Upon achieving tender ham hocks, extract them from the pan and methodically deconstruct the meat, eliminating excess fat and skeletal remnants. Reintegrate the shredded protein into the simmering mixture.
  9. Amplify the heat and introduce frozen peas, cooking until they reach optimal tenderness.
  10. Finely chop curly parsley and blend with a generous tablespoon of mint sauce. Garnish the dish and serve piping hot, accompanied by rustic bread slices and robust English mustard.

Notes

  • Overnight soaking softens ham hocks and reduces intense saltiness for a perfectly balanced soup.
  • Rinsing ham hocks twice prevents overwhelming salt levels and ensures a clean, refined broth base.
  • Gentle sautéing of vegetables creates a robust flavor foundation without scorching delicate ingredients.
  • Slow cooking transforms tough ham hocks into melt-in-your-mouth tender meat that enriches the entire soup.
  • Barley introduces substantial texture, turning the soup into a complete and satisfying meal.
  • Extended simmering develops layered flavors, creating a deeply comforting winter dish.
  • Strategic meat shredding distributes succulent ham pieces evenly throughout each spoonful.
  • Fresh herb garnish with parsley and mint sauce brightens the rich, hearty soup profile.
  • Crusty bread and tangy English mustard perfectly complement the soup’s warming characteristics.
  • Batch cooking allows convenient freezing, providing multiple delicious meals with minimal effort.
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: UK

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 325 kcal
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 650 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 7 g
  • Protein: 20 g
  • Cholesterol: 50 mg
Isabella Rodriguez

Isabella Rodriguez

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

Pastry Arts and Dessert Innovation, French and European Baking Techniques, Food Writing and Blogging, Culinary Event Planning

Education

Le Cordon Bleu Paris

  • Diploma: Grand Diplôme®
  • Focus: Intensive training in classic French cuisine and pastry techniques, combining the Diplôme de Cuisine and Diplôme de Pâtisserie.

Isabella Rodriguez is the co-founder and pastry chef at wd-50.com. She studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, where she earned the Grand Diplôme®, a top award in both cooking and baking. After working in fancy bakeries and as a personal pastry chef, Isabella now shares her love for desserts in an easy way for home bakers to enjoy.

At wd-50.com, Isabella creates recipes for cookies, cakes, tarts, and more, always with clear steps and helpful tips. She believes baking should be fun, not stressful, and she hopes her recipes bring joy to your kitchen and smiles to your table.

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