The Instant Split Pea Soup Upgrade (2024)

Split pea soup is such a great winter dish. The bulk of it is made from pantry staples, it's cheap, and it has that stick-to-your-ribs quality that's key to surviving dark, cold January nights.

It's also very...brown.

Don't get me wrong: I love brown food. Give me a pile of sauerkraut and sausages, a scoop of cassoulet, or a bowl of chili and I am a happy woman. But sometimes you just need a little pop of of color. A hint of spring.

So when I make split pea soup, I add frozen fresh peas. They add a bright green color and a vague promise that one day, far off in the future, vegetables may rise from the earth once again.

There's not an exact amount that's right: a cup or two per pot will give you a couple peas per bite. Add a bit of lemon zest to make those peas really sing.

You can try the fresh pea approach with your favorite split pea soup recipe, but this super traditional, easy version is an Epicurious favorite.

The Instant Split Pea Soup Upgrade (2024)

FAQs

What can I add to pea soup to make it taste better? ›

Dump in a pint of mirepoix - diced onion, celery, and carrot. You can often find this pre-chopped in plastic containers in the grocery store's produce section, or frozen (near the chopped onions) or chop your own. Add a ham bone, either a smoked ham shank or hock.

How to make canned split pea soup better? ›

For a variation, add 1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon and 3 tablespoons of white wine to the soup instead of the garam masala. No ham on hand? Fry up some bacon and crumble it on top of the soup. A pale ale or an Alsatian gewurztraminer teams well with the spicy soup.

How do you spice up bland split pea soup? ›

Salt and pepper you can just stir in. Same goes for bouillion cubes/paste, though you'll want to mix them into a small amount of soup first to get them to dissolve well and then stir that into the rest of the soup. If you want to add real meat, you'll want to cook it a while longer to get the flavor into the soup.

Does split pea soup make you go to the bathroom? ›

That's right. Split peas top the list of carbs that can, um, get things moving again. Sure, carbohydrates often get the side-eye (aren't they supposed to be bad for you?), but hear us out. This particular type of carb delivers many nutrients that could relieve constipation and benefit your overall health.

What can I add to my soup to give it more flavour? ›

"If your broth is lacking in savory richness, try adding roasted onion, tomato paste, mushrooms, seaweed, soy sauce, or miso. These ingredients add umami flavor and depth to broth," she says. The choice of ingredient depends on the recipe, though.

How to jazz up bland soup? ›

If a soup is tasting bland in the bowl, consider adding acid rather than salt. A squeeze of lemon or lime, or a dash of yogurt or sour cream can add brightness to the bowl. Our Lemony Chicken Soup will make your mouth water.

How to improve instant soup? ›

In general, boxed soups aren't that bad but here are nine little tricks I use to improve their flavor.
  1. A Dash of Dairy. ...
  2. Fresh herbs. ...
  3. Lemon or Vinegar. ...
  4. A Touch of Nut or Truffle Oil. ...
  5. A Fresh Garnish. ...
  6. Freshly Grated Parmesan. ...
  7. Sausage. ...
  8. Delicious Accompaniments.
Oct 19, 2012

How to jazz up canned soup? ›

How To Make Canned Soup Taste Like Homemade
  1. Sauté some onions and/or garlic: Low and slow is the way to go. ...
  2. Add protein: Leftover chicken or steak, some cooked diced ham or bacon or sausage (just a little — that soup is already salty). ...
  3. More vegetables: This is a great place for leftover cooked veggies.
Apr 25, 2023

How to make canned peas tastier? ›

Making canned peas taste delicious is easier than you think! Try sautéing them with garlic and onion in a bit of butter or olive oil for added flavor. You can also sprinkle them with herbs like parsley, thyme, or dill, along with a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness.

What thickens split pea soup? ›

How to Thicken Split Pea Soup. The potato should make your split pea soup perfectly thick and creamy. However, if the soup is still too thin for your liking, you can thicken it up with full-fat cream (though it may alter the flavor a bit) or a cornstarch slurry.

How to add acidity to split pea soup? ›

For the finish, many pea soups call for an acidic ingredient—vinegar, lemon juice, sherry, or sour cream to bring balance to an otherwise rich and heavy soup.

Why is split pea soup so gassy? ›

These sugars are not broken down during digestion and therefore reach the colon mostly intact. Fermentation of pea's raffinose family of oligosaccharide sugars in the colon results in the production of intestinal gas.

Why does my stomach hurt after eating split pea soup? ›

From a Western nutrition perspective, legumes, lentils, and split peas can cause bloating because of the oligosaccharides present. Oligosaccharides are small sugars that aren't actually digested by us.

Does split pea soup raise blood pressure? ›

Like their family members, split peas are a good source of protein and fiber. They contain nutrients and compounds that support health and prevent chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, inflammation, osteoporosis and many types of cancer.

How to take the gas out of split pea soup? ›

Now, lots of people soak their split peas first. It can help reduce the cooking time (from 1-2 hours on the stove top, down to 40 minutes) and split peas also have a compound called phytic acid which can make you gassy. It's totally up to you. Just put them in a bowl and let them soak overnight.

How can I improve the taste of my soup? ›

Perk up a Bland Soup With Simple Pantry Staples

Add a splash of vinegar (any kind!), or a squeeze of citrus. Chances are, you could use a little more salt. Go ahead—it's ok. Salt perks up flat flavors and helps balance out bitter-tasting ingredients.

How to thicken up split pea soup? ›

How to Thicken Split Pea Soup. The potato should make your split pea soup perfectly thick and creamy. However, if the soup is still too thin for your liking, you can thicken it up with full-fat cream (though it may alter the flavor a bit) or a cornstarch slurry.

What does pea soup do for your body? ›

Peas contain starch in the form of amylose, which slows our digestion and studies support they may help improve our blood sugar balance. Peas also contain nutrients like magnesium, B vitamins and vitamin C, all of which help support blood sugar management.

References

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