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    Home » Soup » Instant Pot Split Pea Soup

    Instant Pot Split Pea Soup

    Last updated on May 4, 2021. Originally posted on October 1, 2018 By Elaine 40 Comments

    2.3K shares
    Jump to Recipe
    Instant Pot Split Pea Soup for Pinterest 2
    Instant Pot Split Pea Soup for Pinterest 2

    This instant pot split pea soup is creamy, thick and chock-full of flavor!  This recipe also makes perfect use of your leftover ham, smoked shoulder or other meats.

    Two crocks of the pea soup with the casserole dish in the background along with a salad and pitas

    My sister gave all of her children Instant Pots, pressure cookers for Christmas one year.  The following Easter, she hosted the family dinner.  A week before the holiday, my nephew Bryan texted to ask if I would give him a ‘lesson’ in the instant pot when we were together.  Of course I said yes, as my instant pot and I are on very good terms.

    You could say I have smooched its shiny cheek more than once.

    During a lull in the festivities, Bryan brought his IP in from the car and I started telling him how it worked and how to use it.  I guess the rest of his siblings didn’t realize Bryan had asked me in advance for the demonstration.  They thought I loved my IP so much that I would spontaneously start schooling people on all of its glorious attributes.

    I was too busy talking to hear, but later Christopher told me that everyone looking on agreed I sounded like an infomercial.  The only thing missing was free samples!

    This post may contain affiliate links, which means I get a small commission, at no additional cost to you, if you click the link and buy something. You can read my disclosure here.

    Helpful tips

    • I chose to sauté the vegetables but you don’t have to.  Want to save some calories on the oil?  Omit it and also skip the sautéing, just throw all the ingredients together in the IP.
    • The instant pot always takes around 10 – 15 minutes to come to pressure, so if you are planning on timing your meal, factor that in.
    • Also, if you aren’t going to do a quick release of the pressure, you must factor in that time as well.  The IP takes between another 15 – 25 minutes to release the pressure.
    • If I’m in a hurry, I usually wait 5 minutes, then don an oven mitt and release the pressure manually but tapping at the venting knob.  Be careful, the steam can burn you.
    • You can make this alcohol free by substituting it with ¼ cup more broth or leave out altogether for a slightly thicker soup.
    • Use dry sherry or wine because dry spirits contain noticeably less sugar and you don’t want your soup to have more sugar than is already found in the peas, onions and carrots.  It would be too sweet.
    • You can make this vegetarian by using vegetable broth and omitting the cooked smoked pork shoulder or ham.

    How to make IP pea soup

    Step one

    Gather the ingredients – split peas, chunked carrots, chopped onion and celery.

    Split peas, carrots, onions and celery on a black board

    Step two

    Grab your Instant Pot or pressure cooker and plug it in.  Press the sauté button and after one minute, add oil.

    Step three

    Wait another minute for the oil to heat, then add onions and sauté for 2 minutes.

    Step four

    Add carrots and celery, sauté for 2 minutes.

    Step five

    Gather other ingredients – dry sherry, beef broth, and dry white wine

    Dry sherry, beef broth and white wine on a black table

    Step six

    Add broth, water, split peas, sherry, wine, smoked pork shoulder, bay leaves and salt.

    Seal the IP, make sure the vent knob is in the sealed position and press soup/broth button – make sure the mode is normal and set the timer to 20 minutes.

    Step seven

    After IP beeps, either do a quick release by donning an oven mitt and lightly tap the to the venting position, or you can just wait 15 – 25 minutes for the pressure to release on its own.

    I pour the instant pot split pea soup into my lovely casserole dish and gather ’round some pita rounds and a salad.

    A mustard colored casserole dish filled with pea soup. There are some pita bread in a bowl, a salad and a pepper mill in the background

    I ladle the split pea soup into my serving crocks.  I grind black pepper on my soup but not Christopher’s.

    Close up of the two crocks of soup. You can also see the pita rounds in a bowl on a napkin in the background

    I hope you enjoyed this instant pot split pea soup recipe!  It’s thick, delicious and cooks so fast you barely have time to get out your dishes and set the table!

    Other comforting meals

    • Beef chili
    • Squash stew
    • Shepherd’s Pie

    And as always, may all your dishes be delish!

    If you’ve tried this or any other recipe on the blog, I’d love the hear what you thought about it in the comments below.  I love hearing from you!  You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!

    Two crocks filled with pea soup with a spoon in the front one. There is ham and carrots on the top of the soup - square

    Instant Pot Split Pea Soup

    This pea soup is thick and creamy and oh so delicious!
    5 from 15 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: Soup
    Keyword: instant pot pea soup, pea soup
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 26 minutes
    Total Time: 31 minutes
    Servings: 7 cups
    Calories: 286kcal
    Author: Elaine Benoit

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 onion (large, chopped in chunks)
    • 4 carrots (4 – 6)
    • 2 stalks celery (sliced)
    • 4 cups beef broth
    • 2 cups water
    • 2 cups split peas (rinsed and picked over)
    • 1 ham bone (optional)
    • 2 cups smoked pork shoulder (or ham, chopped in bite sized pieces)
    • ⅛ cup sherry (dry)
    • ⅛ cup white wine (dry)
    • ¾ teaspoon salt
    • 2 bay leaves

    Instructions

    • Plug in instant pot and press the sauté button.  Once the IP heats up, add olive oil and onions and sauté for 2 minutes
    • Add carrots and celery and sauté them for 2 minutes
    • Add broth, water, split peas, pork bone if using, smoked pork shoulder, sherry, wine, bay leaves, and salt.  Seal IP, making sure that the pressure knob is in the sealed position 
    • Press the soup/stew button – it will default to 20 minutes on normal
    • Once the timer beeps, you can either let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes or you can be in a hurry like me, don an oven mitt and carefully tap the release valve letting little spirts of steam out.  After a minute of tapping, turn the pressure relief from sealed to venting
    • Either transfer the instant pot split pea soup in a soup tureen or ladle directly in some soup crocks
    • Eat
    • Enjoy

    Equipment

    Instant pot
    See all my favorite tools and gift ideas at my Amazon Store page!Check out Elaine’s Amazon Store!

    Notes

    Tips on making this soup
    • I chose to sauté the vegetables but you don’t have to.  Want to save some calories on the oil?  Omit it and also skip the sautéing, just throw all the ingredients together in the IP.
    • The instant pot always takes around 10 – 15 minutes to come to pressure, so if you are planning on timing your meal, factor that in.
    • Also, if you aren’t going to do a quick release of the pressure, you must factor in that time as well.  The IP takes between another 10 – 15 minutes to release the pressure.
    • If I’m in a hurry, I usually wait 5 minutes, then don an oven mitt and release the pressure manually but tapping at the venting knob.  Be careful, the steam can burn you.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cup | Calories: 286kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 1206mg | Potassium: 678mg | Fiber: 14g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 135IU | Vitamin C: 2.6mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 3mg
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    This post may contain affiliate links, which means I get a small commission, at no additional cost to you,  if you click the link and buy. You can read my disclosure here.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lauren Vavala @ DeliciousLittleBites

      October 01, 2018 at 11:58 am

      Split pea soup is one of my go-to soups – will have to try this version in the Instant Pot – love that thing!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 01, 2018 at 12:48 pm

        Me too Lauren! And this soup is one of my favorites!

        Reply
    2. Dawn

      October 01, 2018 at 12:07 pm

      I have a slow cooker split pea soup using yellow split peas and it’s always a favourite. Though, it really is hard to pick just one soup because I do enjoy them all…and year round. Love how quickly this one comes together in the Instant Pot. And those bowls? They’re so cute!! I’d love a bowl of this for lunch with a big hunk of homemade bread with butter. So hungry right now 😉 P.S. a splash of white vinegar in there along with the pepper is divine!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 01, 2018 at 12:49 pm

        Thanks Dawn! My mom used to put white vinegar in it too and I totally forgot that! Fun. And thanks on the comment on the bowls. Thrift store specials!! Hehe!

        Reply
    3. Amanda

      October 01, 2018 at 12:16 pm

      Ohhh, I love sherry in soup! It gives such a nice flavor, and I bet this is delicious. I’m definitely on a soup kick right now, so I can’t wait to give this a try ASAP.

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 01, 2018 at 12:50 pm

        Thanks Amanda! I love soup year round too and I’m always for sherry in soups! 😉

        Reply
    4. Gabi

      October 01, 2018 at 12:34 pm

      This hearty split pea soup is exactly the meal I’m sure my brother would enjoy, the next time he comes visiting us. Thank you for sharing, will print it to keep it at hand:)

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 01, 2018 at 12:50 pm

        Thanks Gabi! I bet he’s going to love it!

        Reply
    5. Traci

      October 01, 2018 at 1:01 pm

      Well I do love a good split pea soup! I haven’t thought about doing it in the Instant Pot, but what a great idea! Just pinned this scrumptious number. Thanks Elaine!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 01, 2018 at 1:40 pm

        Thank you Traci! 🙂

        Reply
    6. Jillian

      October 01, 2018 at 1:04 pm

      Soup is my favorite everything and I love all the options you give for this one!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 01, 2018 at 1:41 pm

        I adore soup too, Jillian! I could eat it every week all year round!

        Reply
    7. Gloria

      October 02, 2018 at 5:48 pm

      I don’t have an Instant Pot, but I do love pea soup. The perfect comfort food, and a great place to use that leftover ham bone. I do have a pressure cooker, so I will adapt this recipe to work in that… I know it will turn out delicious.

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 03, 2018 at 2:05 pm

        Thanks so much Gloria! Yes, it will work with a pressure cooker!

        Reply
    8. Claire | The Simple, Sweet Life

      October 06, 2018 at 3:06 am

      My dad absolutely LOVES split pea soup, but he’s also really picky about it. He rarely likes the kind they serve in restaurants (too much cornstarch, he says) and struggles to find an accessible recipe he likes. I’m definitely going to have to make this for him next time he comes to visit! I bet he’d love it.

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 06, 2018 at 3:22 pm

        Thanks Claire! I don’t like cornstarch in any of my soups, for sure. I can always taste it and I feel there is no need. I hope you do make it for him and he enjoyes it!

        Reply
    9. prasanna hede

      October 06, 2018 at 10:46 am

      I will save this recipe,looks very delicious.Loved those bowl too.

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 06, 2018 at 3:22 pm

        Thanks so much Prasanna!

        Reply
    10. Veronika's Kitchen

      October 06, 2018 at 11:33 am

      Pea soup always reminds me of my mom and childhood) That was my favorite soup) This is a great idea to make it in Instant Pot! Definitely saving this recipe!)

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 06, 2018 at 3:21 pm

        Thanks so much Veronika! It reminds me of my mom too!

        Reply
    11. Lorie

      October 06, 2018 at 9:48 pm

      I tell my husband he sounds like an infomercial all the time! It’s been 90 the past few days here so I’m sooo excited for 60 degree weather next week so that soup can happen!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 08, 2018 at 12:46 pm

        Hehe 🙂 Thanks Lorie! I’m looking forward to the cooler weather as well!

        Reply
    12. Monica | Nourish + Fete

      October 07, 2018 at 12:29 am

      Ha! Love the story about your IP “infomercial,” Elaine! If I ever do get around to buying one, I will have to ask you to give me the short tour, as well – no doubt you’ve mastered it when your soups come out looking this amazing!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 08, 2018 at 12:46 pm

        Thanks so much Monica!

        Reply
    13. Nicolas Hortense

      October 07, 2018 at 3:26 am

      Wow that looks so comforting and warming. I bet that smoked shoulder gives the soup a super deep incredible flavour. I would have that with a crusty loaf of bread any day!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 08, 2018 at 12:46 pm

        It really does Nicolas! And thank you!

        Reply
    14. Leslie Haasch

      October 07, 2018 at 12:05 pm

      I feel cozy just looking at this! I really need to get myself an instant pot so that I can dive into a bunch of your recipes headfirst.

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 08, 2018 at 12:47 pm

        Hehe, Leslie. Now that I own one, I wonder how I’d gone without one for so many years! 🙂

        Reply
    15. Anne Murphy

      October 07, 2018 at 4:31 pm

      We’re finally supposed to cool off – and I”m looking forward to soup for lunch. I love to use the pressure cooker for that – I can set it up in the morning and forget it, then go ladle it out at lunch time! I hadn’t tried pea soup, though. I’d heard it would foam up but clearly that’s not a major issue for you – good to know!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 08, 2018 at 12:48 pm

        It never foamed up, but if I used my mother’s old fashioned pressure cooker, it probably would have. Thanks Anne!

        Reply
    16. Tammy

      October 07, 2018 at 11:37 pm

      You know, I can’t even remember the last time I had split pea soup and yet it is one of my favorites! Yours looks so good!! Ahh wish I had an instant pot right now 😀

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 08, 2018 at 12:48 pm

        Hehe. Thanks Tammy!

        Reply
    17. Sam | Ahead of Thyme

      October 07, 2018 at 11:44 pm

      Wow this split pea soup looks delicious and so creamy! Just the weeknight meal I was looking for!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 08, 2018 at 12:48 pm

        Thank you Sam! It is quite tasty!

        Reply
    18. Emily Leary

      October 10, 2018 at 4:44 am

      Whenver I see a recipe like this I just really, really want to buy an instant pot. Adding it to my Christmas list. This looks delicious.

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 10, 2018 at 12:02 pm

        Thanks so much Emily!!

        Reply
    19. Christopher

      October 14, 2018 at 2:36 pm

      I tend to forget how sweet split pea is! And not in a sugary way, but in a tasty, toothsome veggie way. Smoked shoulder is a nice contrast. What a delicious soup. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 15, 2018 at 10:23 am

        Thanks Christopher!

        Reply
    20. Rita FRENCH

      March 13, 2019 at 1:22 pm

      Can you use split peasa that have been soaked? Does it change the cook time?

      Reply
      • Elaine

        March 13, 2019 at 2:30 pm

        Hi Rita, you probably could use soaked split peas, but one of the beauties of cooking with an instant pot, is that it’s so much faster than if you cook it on the stove. So, you don’t have to soak them. But if you do, I’d still keep the cooking time the same – 20 minutes. I don’t think it will be too much. You’ll have to let me know how it came out! Thank you for your question.

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Elaine! I'm so glad you stopped by. Here you will find lots of tasty cocktails, comforting food and inspiration for your next meal. I LOVE chocolate, almost all foods, blogging, photography and spending time with my hubby!

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