Green Pea Soup Recipe

If there’s one dish that embodies comfort, warmth, and simplicity, it’s a hearty bowl of green pea soup. It’s a meal that’s both nostalgic and nourishing, packed with flavors that remind you of home. Whether you’re sitting down to enjoy a cozy dinner on a rainy evening or need a nutritious, easy-to-make meal for a busy weeknight, green pea soup is your answer.

This humble soup can be made with just a handful of ingredients, and it’s flexible enough to allow you to get creative. The beauty of green pea soup lies in its ability to offer a silky smooth texture with a flavor that’s subtly sweet and earthy. It’s the type of dish that makes you feel like you’re doing something good for your body while still enjoying a satisfying meal.

In this guide, we’re going to dive deep into everything you need to know about making green pea soup-from the ingredients to cooking instructions, to little tricks that will elevate the flavor. Plus, we’ll explore different ways to customize the recipe to suit your taste. Let’s get started!

Green Pea Soup Recipe

Making green pea soup is straightforward, but the results are incredibly satisfying. This recipe will help you create a deliciously creamy and flavorful soup that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Ingredients Needed

• 2 cups dried green peas (split peas work best)
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 large potato, peeled and cubed
• 6 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth for a richer flavor)
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (or butter for a richer flavor)
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Cooking Instructions

1. Prepare The Peas

   • Rinse the dried green peas under cold water to remove any dust or debris.
   • Optionally, you can soak them in water for a few hours or overnight, but it’s not essential if you’re short on time. The soaking process just makes the peas cook faster.

2. Sauté The Aromatics

   • In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
   • Add the chopped onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened and translucent.
   • Stir in the garlic, carrots, and celery, cooking for another 5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.

3. Simmer The Soup

   • Add the soaked or unsoaked peas, potato cubes, vegetable broth, bay leaf, and thyme to the pot.
   • Bring everything to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, allowing the soup to simmer for 45-60 minutes, or until the peas are soft and tender. Stir occasionally, ensuring nothing sticks to the bottom.

4. Blend And Finish

   • Once the peas are tender, remove the bay leaf and use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth. If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can carefully transfer the soup in batches to a regular blender.
   • Taste the soup and season with salt and pepper as needed.

5. Garnish And Serve

   • Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. For extra richness, you can drizzle a little olive oil on top or sprinkle some grated cheese.

Ingredient Insights

Each ingredient in this green pea soup plays a crucial role in building the flavor profile and ensuring a perfectly balanced dish. Let’s break down the star players:

• Green peas: The foundation of the soup, providing both flavor and texture. They’re rich in protein, fiber, and essential nutrients, making the soup filling and satisfying.
• Onion & Garlic: These two aromatics create the flavor base for the soup, adding depth and a subtle sweetness as they cook. Their flavors meld beautifully with the peas and vegetables.
• Carrots & Celery: Known as the “mirepoix” (a classic French flavor base), these vegetables add sweetness and a slight earthiness to the soup. They also give the soup a bit of texture.
• Potato: The potato helps thicken the soup, making it velvety smooth once blended.
• Bay leaf & Thyme: These herbs infuse the soup with aromatic notes. Bay leaf adds a slight bitterness, while thyme offers an earthy, savory flavor.

Expert Tips

• Cook the peas until soft: The key to a creamy, smooth soup is ensuring the peas are fully cooked. Undercooked peas can make the soup grainy and less smooth.
• Sautéing the vegetables first: Don’t skip this step! Sautéing the onion, garlic, and other veggies in oil helps to unlock their natural sweetness and deepen the flavor profile.
• Use quality broth: The broth can make a huge difference in the taste of your soup. Opt for a low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth to control the salt levels.
• Add a splash of cream or milk: If you want to make the soup even creamier, add a splash of heavy cream or whole milk after blending it. This gives the soup a rich, luxurious texture.
• Make it ahead: Green pea soup actually tastes better the next day! The flavors meld and develop even further, making it an ideal dish for meal prep or leftovers.

Recipe Variations

Green pea soup is wonderfully versatile, and you can make a few tweaks to suit your preferences or dietary needs. Here are a few fun variations:

• Add ham or bacon: For a smoky, meaty twist, toss in some chopped cooked ham or crumbled crispy bacon. The saltiness and richness add a whole new dimension to the soup.
• Spice it up: Add a pinch of cumin, smoked paprika, or a dash of chili flakes to give the soup a little heat and complexity.
• Vegan version: To make this soup vegan, simply use vegetable broth and skip any dairy or meat products. The soup is still incredibly satisfying without the need for animal products.
• Herb variations: Experiment with different herbs like rosemary, sage, or basil. Fresh herbs can change the flavor profile dramatically, so feel free to play around.
• Lemon zest: For a bright, zesty finish, grate a bit of lemon zest on top just before serving. It cuts through the richness and adds a refreshing citrusy note.

Final Words

Green pea soup is a simple yet flavorful dish that’s perfect for just about any occasion. Whether you’re looking for something light but filling or need a hearty meal that will warm you up, this recipe has you covered. It’s an excellent choice for a weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend lunch. Plus, with its adaptability, you can easily tweak it to suit your taste or dietary restrictions.

Not only is this soup packed with nutrients, but it also makes for great leftovers. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge, and you’ll have a nutritious meal ready to go for the next few days.