This post may contain affiliate links. Read the full disclosure here.
This homemade vegan split pea soup recipe is gluten-free, healthy, hearty, filling, flavorful and also so easy to make! In addition, I will show you how to make this comforting soup on the stovetop or in the Instant Pot!
So, if you never tried split pea soup, you are really missing out! It's so delicious, warming and also creamy just like my vegan cauliflower soup or vegan broccoli potato soup!
This dish is one of my favorites so I usually meal-prep or freeze the leftovers. Make it into a great meal by pairing it with cucumber tomato onion salad and also some bread.
But, before we jump into the recipe, let's talk about split peas and learn some tips on how to make this smoky soup.
What Are Split Peas and Where to Buy Them
Split peas are legumes just like lentils but they come from different varieties of legumes. They are a type of pea grown specifically for drying and also you don't need to soak them! The most common ones are green and yellow split peas so we will be using the green ones for this recipe.
You can buy them in bulk at your grocery store, in small bags or online. They can be stored in an airtight container for up to one year so you can stock up!
How to Make Vegan Split Pea Soup Step by Step
Ingredients
Green Split Peas
They are a great way to add protein and fiber to your diet! Always keep some in your pantry so you can make this protein-rich recipe any time!
Potato
I love potatoes it so I used one in this recipe and it makes it creamy. If you are omitting it, make sure you put a little less water to the soup.
Onion & Garlic
I used a yellow onion but you can use white or red onion if you like. Lots of garlic cloves make this recipe very aromatic as well. Keep in mind, sauteeing the onions until very soft is an important part to achieve more flavor.
Carrots
Diced carrots give this dish a little crunch, color, and also sweetness. You can change up the amount and use more or less if you like.
Celery
Another crunchy texture but definitely great flavors. If you are not a fan of celery, you can omit it though.
Thyme
Fresh thyme gives so much flavor but you can sub for dry thyme if needed. You can also change up the herb and use oregano if you like.
Bay Leaves
Bay leaves always give such a unique flavor so I don't recommend omitting it. This time I was able to find fresh Bay leaves and they gave even more flavor if you can find them!
Water or Vegetable Broth
I tend to use water for soups but you can easily use vegetable broth instead for more flavor. You can also use vegetable bullion if you like.
Liquid Smoke (Optional)
So if you want that smoky flavor traditional split pea soup has, you can use a little liquid smoke! I actually found Alder smoked salt at my grocery store and it tastes even better in this soup if you can find it.
How to Make it
- We'll start by sauteeing the onions until very soft. This part is important since onions give a lot of flavor to this soup. If you are using an Instant Pot, you can just use the saute function.
Stovetop Instant Pot
- After onions are soft, you can add the rest of the ingredients except water/vegetable broth and saute for a couple of minutes.
- Next, we will add the water/vegetable broth and cook the soup. For stovetop, you will need to simmer the soup for 50 minutes to 1 hour until the split peas are soft. Make sure to check them for doneness. For Instant Pot, you can cook it on high pressure for 25 minutes. Take out the bay leaves.
- As an option, I like reserving 2 or 3 cups of the soup and blend the rest with an immersion blender. You can also blend it in a blender but be careful, the soup will be very hot transferring it to the blender.
- I like garnishing mine with some freshly squeezed lemon juice, chopped thyme, some pepper and top with crispy roasted chickpeas!
Tips & Variations
- If you want to make this soup even creamier, you can add about half a cup of coconut milk.
- Add a splash of red wine vinegar for a little tangy flavor.
- You can add nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.
- Always adjust to taste, it may need lots of salt and pepper!
How to store and reheat Vegan Split Pea Soup
You can store this soup in the fridge, covered, for up to 4 to 5 days. Freeze leftovers, covered up to 2 months. You might need to add a little water before reheating since the peas will soak up the water. Reheat on the stovetop until warm.
This vegan split pea soup recipe is so delicious and very easy to make. It is also :
- Hearty & Warming
- Gluten-free
- Healthy
- Filling & Satisfying
- Smoky
- Also, meal-prep & freezer friendly!
More healthy vegan soups & stews recipes to try
- VEGAN POTATO LEEK SOUP RECIPE (HEALTHY & CREAMY)
- EASY VEGAN CHILI RECIPE (HEALTHY)
- BUTTERNUT SQUASH CURRY (VEGAN & HEALTHY)
- RED LENTIL SOUP RECIPE (STOVETOP OR INSTANT POT)
- CHANA MASALA RECIPE (EASY & VEGAN)
- RED LENTIL DAL RECIPE (VEGAN & EASY)
So, did you make this? I’d love for you to leave a comment and rate the recipe. You can also share your photo of the recipe on Pinterest and tag me on Instagram using @avocadocentric or #avocadocentric! xo, Selin
Print
Vegan Split Pea Soup (Stovetop or Instant Pot)
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop, Pressure Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This homemade vegan split pea soup recipe is gluten-free, healthy, hearty, filling, flavorful and so easy to make! Made on the stovetop or in the Instant Pot!
Ingredients
- 2 cups dry green split peas
- 1 large potato (peeled and diced)
- 1 large onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup diced carrots (about 2 carrots)
- 1 cup diced celery (about 2 stalks)
- 1 tbs chopped fresh thyme (sub for 1 tsp dried)
- 2 Bay leaves
- 7 cups water or vegetable broth
- 1 tbs oil
- Salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste
- optional: 1 tsp liquid smoke
Instructions
Stovetop Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium high heat, heat the oil. Add the diced onions saute for 5 minutes until very soft.
- Add the rest of the ingredients to the pot except water/broth and saute for 2 more minutes.
- Add the water/broth, bring to a boil, then simmer for 50 minutes to 1 hour, until the split peas fall apart and become mushy. Take out the bay leaves.
- Optional for creamy soup: Reserve 2 cups of the soup and use an immersion blender (or regular blender) to blend the rest of the soup in the pot. Transfer the reserved soup back into the pot.
- Garnish with freshly squeezed lemon juice, chopped thyme, pepper or crispy roasted chickpeas.
Instant Pot Instructions
- Turn on the saute function on the Instant Pot and add the oil. When the oil is hot, add the diced onions saute for 5 minutes until very soft.
- Add the rest of the ingredients into the Instant Pot except water/broth and saute for 2 more minutes. Turn off the saute function.
- Add the water/broth into the Instant Pot and cook on High pressure for 25 minutes until the split peas fall apart and become mushy. Take out the bay leaves.
- Optional for creamy soup: Reserve 2 cups of the soup and use an immersion blender (or regular blender) to blend the rest of the soup in the Instant Pot. Transfer the reserved soup back into the pot.
- Garnish with freshly squeezed lemon juice, chopped thyme, pepper or crispy roasted chickpeas.
Notes
For even creamier soup, add about half a cup of coconut milk.
Add a splash of red wine vinegar for a little tangy flavor.
Add 1 tbs of nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.
Always adjust to taste! This recipe needs lots of salt and pepper!
Make it into a meal by pairing it with cucumber tomato onion salad.
Check the post for storage and reheating tips!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 5.8g
- Sodium: 438.7mg
- Fat: 2.9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39.4g
- Fiber: 10.9g
- Protein: 10.5g
- Cholesterol: 0g
Keywords: split pea soup, vegan split pea soup, instant pot split pea soup, instant pot vegan split pea soup, vegetarian split pea soup
Leave a Reply