Instant Pot Split Pea Soup
This Instant Pot Split Pea Soup is a comforting and hearty recipe featuring tender split peas, smoky turkey, and aromatic vegetables, perfect for a quick and nourishing meal.
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound dry split peas rinsed (Note 1)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 1 large carrot diced
- 3 ribs celery diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 6 cups chicken stock
- 1-2 smoked turkey drumsticks or 6 ounces diced cooked turkey (a halal alternative to ham hocks)
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley finely chopped for garnish
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Start by rinsing the dry split peas under cold water until the water runs clear. This removes any dust or debris. Dice the onion, carrot, and celery, and mince the garlic. If you’re using smoked turkey drumsticks, rinse them under cold water to remove any excess salt.
- Turn your Instant Pot to the 'Sauté' setting and add the olive oil. Once hot, add the diced onion, carrot, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes until the vegetables soften and the onion becomes translucent. Add the minced garlic and sauté for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the rinsed split peas to the pot along with the chicken stock. Stir to combine everything.
- Nestle the smoked turkey drumsticks (or diced turkey) into the pot. Add the bay leaves, and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Be mindful with salt, as the smoked meat and stock can already be salty.
- Secure the Instant Pot lid and make sure the valve is set to 'Sealing.' Select the 'Pressure Cook' or 'Manual' setting and set the timer for 15 minutes. It will take about 10 minutes for the Instant Pot to come to pressure before the cooking time starts.
- Once the cooking time is up, allow the pressure to release naturally for about 15 minutes, then carefully switch the valve to 'Venting' to release any remaining pressure. Remove the smoked turkey drumsticks, shred the meat off the bone, and return the meat to the soup. Discard the bones and bay leaves.
- For a smoother texture, use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup to your desired consistency. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed. Stir in the lemon juice to brighten the flavors.
- Ladle the soup into bowls, garnish with freshly chopped parsley, and serve with lemon wedges on the side for an extra burst of freshness.
Equipment
- Instant Pot
- Immersion Blender
Notes
Always rinse your split peas thoroughly to remove dust and prevent a gritty texture. Using smoked turkey drumsticks is a great alternative to ham hocks for smoky flavor. Don’t skip the lemon juice, which adds brightness to the soup. Blend to your preferred consistency for chunkier or creamier texture. For a vegetarian version, omit meat and use vegetable broth with smoked paprika. Leftovers store well in the fridge for 4 days and freeze up to 3 months.