Rustic Quebec-Style Pea Soup with Smoked Ham
A hearty, comforting yellow split pea soup infused with smoky ham and aromatic vegetables, inspired by traditional Quebec regional flavors. This french canadian-inspired soups ready in about 85 minutes pairs rinsed yellow split peas, (about 1 lb) smoked ham hock, medium, diced carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup, rinsed yellow split peas
- 1 (about 1 lb) smoked ham hock
- 2 medium, diced carrots
- 2, diced celery stalks
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 whole bay leaf
- 2 fresh thyme sprigs
- 6 cups water
- 1/2 tsp, freshly ground black pepper
- to taste sea salt
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, combine 1 cup rinsed yellow split peas, 1 smoked ham hock (about 1 lb), 6 cups water, 2 diced carrots, 2 diced celery stalks, 1 diced medium yellow onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 whole bay leaf, and 2 fresh thyme sprigs. Bring to a boil over high heat.
- Step 2: Reduce heat to low and simmer gently, uncovered, for 1 hour, stirring occasionally and skimming any foam from the surface.
- Step 3: Remove the ham hock and bay leaf. Shred the meat from the ham hock, discarding bones and skin, then return the meat to the soup.
- Step 4: Using an immersion blender, puree the soup slightly to thicken, leaving some texture. Season with 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper and sea salt to taste. Simmer for an additional 10 minutes before serving hot.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Rustic Quebec-Style Pea Soup with Smoked Ham take to make?
Total time is about 85 minutes (15 min prep + 70 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Rustic Quebec-Style Pea Soup with Smoked Ham?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep rinsed yellow split peas from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Rustic Quebec-Style Pea Soup with Smoked Ham?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Rustic Quebec-Style Pea Soup with Smoked Ham for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Rustic Quebec-Style Pea Soup with Smoked Ham?
French Canadian soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
