Yellow Split Pea Soup with Lemon Zest
A vibrant, protein-packed soup with earthy split peas and bright citrus notes, perfect for a nourishing lunch. This general-inspired soups ready in about 50 minutes pairs yellow split peas, vegetable broth, medium, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 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 yellow split peas
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 2 medium, diced carrot
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1, zest and 2 tbsp juice lemon
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium onion, 2 diced medium carrots, and 2 diced celery stalks, and sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Stir in 1 cup yellow split peas, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes until peas are tender.
- Step 3: Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Use an immersion blender to puree until smooth, or transfer to a blender in batches. Return to pot and stir in 2 tbsp lemon juice and 1 tbsp lemon zest. Heat gently for 2 minutes without boiling, then serve.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Yellow Split Pea Soup with Lemon Zest take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 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 Yellow Split Pea Soup with Lemon Zest?
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 yellow split peas from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Yellow Split Pea Soup with Lemon Zest?
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 Yellow Split Pea Soup with Lemon Zest 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 Yellow Split Pea Soup with Lemon Zest?
General 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
