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Crockpot Split Pea Soup Smoked Turkey + VIDEO

Crockpot split pea soup smoked turkey is a simple recipe that uses basic, affordable ingredients. It’s perfect for a cozy dinner or as a make-ahead meal for busy days. Split peas, vegetables, seasonings, and smoked turkey is all you need to create a deeply satisfying soup that’s rich in flavor and packed with nutrients. Split peas are an excellent source of plant-based protein, fiber, and essential vitamins, making this soup not only delicious but also nourishing. Instructions to make this ham free split pea soup in the Instant Pot are also included. 

overhead shot of slow cooker split pea soup in a white bowl

Ingredients For Crockpot Split Pea Soup Smoked Turkey

  • Split Peas
  • Smoked Turkey
  • Onion
  • Carrots
  • Celery
  • Garlic
  • Water
  • Bay Leaf
  • Seasonings: salt, pepper, dried thyme

collage of ingredients for slow cooker split pea soup

How To Make Split Pea Soup In The Crock-Pot

Slow Cooker

  1. Rinse the dry split peas for a minute under cold water. Remove any any obvious debris. Add to the slow cooker. 
  2. Add onion, carrots, celery, garlic, thyme, salt, pepper, and water/broth. Stir to mix well.
  3. Nestle in smoked meat if using. Add bay leaf on top.
  4. Cook HIGH 3-4 hours or LOW 6-8.
  5. Remove bay leaf & stir.
  6. If you’re using meat: remove the meat from the slow cooker, shred and stir back into the soup.

Instant Pot

  1. Turn on the pressure cooker and select sauté.  Once hot, add oil, carrots, celery, and onion. Cook 5-7 minutes until soft. Add garlic & cook an additional minute.
  2. Pour in water/broth and deglaze the bottom of the pressure cooker by scraping all the bits off with a wooden spoon.
  3. Rinse the dry split peas for a minute under cold water. Remove any any obvious debris. Add to the Instant Pot.
  4. Stir in the thyme, salt, and pepper. Nestle in the smoked meat. Add bay leaf on top.
  5. Close lid and seal valve. Set high pressure for 15 minutes. When cooking time is complete, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes then quick release any remaining pressure.
  6. Remove bay leaf & stir.
  7. If you’re using meat: remove the meat from the pressure cooker, shred and stir back into the soup.
overhead shot of uncooked split pea soup in a black slow cooker with a turkey wing

before

What Are Split Peas?

Split peas are field peas that have been peeled and dried. They are either green or yellow in color however green split peas are more commonly used when making split pea soup because they have less starch & are a little sweeter. When you use the slow cooker or Instant Pot, pre-soaking the split peas is not necessary. Are split peas healthy? Yes! Split peas are a part of the legume family so they are packed with fiber & protein but also low in fat. Dried peas in general help lower cholesterol and are a good source of B-vitamins.

What Is Split Pea Soup?

Split pea soup is literally soup made from dried split peas. Different regions across the world have their own takes on split pea soup. This is my easy slow cooker or Instant Pot version of Americanized split pea soup. When I think of this soup, I think – comfort food. It’s hearty, I will admit that. For me, this soup is meal itself however you can also serve it as an appetizer/starter.

overhead shot of cooked split pea soup in a black slow cooker with a turkey wing

Soup Recipes

cooked split pea soup in the slow cooker with shredded smoked turkey on top {VIDEO} Slow CookerInstant Pot Split Pea Soup (Whole30)

add shredded turkey

Using Smoked Turkey

My version of split pea soup is ham-free. I use smoked turkey instead of pork. Feel free to use your preferred cut of smoked turkey whether it be wings, neck, leg, thigh, etc. Personally, I prefer to use smoked turkey wings. The more traditional version of split pea soup uses a ham bone, ham hock, or another cut of cooked or smoked pork. Of course you can substitute pork for the turkey or use the leftover shredded meat of your choice. 

overhead shot of uncooked split pea soup in a black slow cooker with shredded turkey

after

after (thickens as it cools)

Whole30 Compatible

As of 2020, peas are now Whole30 compatible!  This includes sugar snap peas, snow peas, green peas, yellow peas, and split peas. please note that peas are still not paleo or low-carb.

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftover crockpot split pea soup, you can store or freeze it for later use. Store leftover soup an air-tight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To freeze split pea soup, let the soup cool completely. Once cooled, add the soup to an air tight container, freezer-friendly plastic bag, or souper cubes. Store the soup in your freezer for up to 2 months. To reheat split pea soup you have two options. You can either thaw the soup overnight  in the refrigerator OR add the soup directly to the slow cooker or Instant Pot & thaw on the warm setting.

overhead shot of slow cooker split pea soup in a white bowl

 

FAQs & Tips

  • To make this a vegan/vegetarian split pea soup, simply omit the meat all together and use water or vegetable broth.
  • Note, this soup will thicken as it cools. 
  • I used a 6-quart slow cooker or Instant Pot.

Soup Recipes

Print
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overhead shot of slow cooker split pea soup in a white bowl

Crockpot Split Pea Soup Smoked Turkey

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 2 reviews

Crockpot split pea soup smoked turkey is a simple recipe that uses basic, affordable ingredients. It’s perfect for a cozy dinner or as a make-ahead meal for busy days. Split peas, vegetables, seasonings, and smoked turkey is all you need to create a deeply satisfying soup that’s rich in flavor and packed with nutrients. Split peas are an excellent source of plant-based protein, fiber, and essential vitamins, making this soup not only delicious but also nourishing. Instructions to make this easy split pea soup in the Instant Pot are also included.

  • Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 6-8 servings 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 16 ounces dry green split peas, rinsed & debris removed
  • 1 pound smoked turkey meat (I used turkey wing)
  • 6 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup onion, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 2 medium-size carrots, peeled & diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or more)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tbsp oil (for pressure cooker)

Instructions

Slow Cooker

  1. Rinse the dry split peas for a minute under cold water. Remove any any obvious debris. Add to the slow cooker.
  2. Add onion, carrots, celery, garlic, thyme, salt, pepper, and water/broth. Stir to mix well.
  3. Nestle in smoked meat if using. Add bay leaf on top.
  4. Cook HIGH 3-4 hours or LOW 6-8.
  5. Remove bay leaf & stir.
  6. If you’re using meat: remove the meat from the slow cooker, shred and stir back into the soup.

Instant Pot

  1. Turn on the pressure cooker and select sauté.  Once hot, add oil, carrots, celery, and onion. Cook 5-7 minutes until soft. Add garlic & cook an additional minute.
  2. Pour in water/broth and deglaze the bottom of the pressure cooker by scraping all the bits off with a wooden spoon.
  3. Rinse the dry split peas for a minute under cold water. Remove any any obvious debris. Add to the Instant Pot.
  4. Stir in the thyme, salt, and pepper. Nestle in the smoked meat. Add bay leaf on top.
  5. Close lid and seal valve. Set high pressure for 15 minutes. When cooking time is complete, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes then quick release any remaining pressure.
  6. Remove bay leaf & stir.
  7. If you’re using meat: remove the meat from the pressure cooker, shred and stir back into the soup.

Notes

Add salt & pepper to taste when the soup is done cooking.

Soup will thicken as it cools.

  • Author: Shannon Epstein
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 hours

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 406
  • Sugar: 7.9 g
  • Sodium: 507.1 mg
  • Fat: 3.9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 52.6 g
  • Fiber: 20.5 g
  • Protein: 40.5 g
  • Cholesterol: 76.3 mg

This post contains affiliate links which means if you click on one of the product links, I’ll might receive compensation. For more about my disclosure policy see heres: https://fitslowcookerqueen.com/about/disclosure-policy/.

[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”AZzhFmda” upload-date=”2020-08-11T16:19:00.000Z” name=”Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup” description=”This comforting split pea soup recipe can be made in your slow cooker or Instant Pot. Serve this hearty, whole30 compliant soup as starter or main course.” player-type=”default” override-embed=”default”]

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

Laurie

Monday 18th of September 2023

I’m shocked! Normally I’m not a fan of anything peas. This was delicious! It didn’t taste pea-y at all!

Alice Hanney

Wednesday 12th of August 2020

Thanks for making this without pork! I will try this version next week and let you know.