Hearty Split Pea & Ham Soup
A comforting, protein-packed soup featuring slow-simmered split peas and savory ham. Rich in complex carbs and dietary fiber to keep you full and energized.
Prep
15 min
Cook
75 min
Total
90 min
Makes
4 servings
The feel-good payoff
Why this meal can feel especially good in perimenopause
Think practical wins: steadier energy, comfortable fullness and one less food decision. Your response is personal, so use the prompts below to notice what works for you.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthSteadier energy
Feel fueled, not flattened
A complete meal with protein, carbohydrates and fats is designed to offer more staying power than a quick carb-only fix.
Notice: energy 1–3 hours later
Digestive comfort
A portion that works for you
Fiber and plants can support digestion, but more is not always better overnight. Start with a comfortable portion and build gradually.
Notice: comfort + portion
Comfortably satisfied
Fullness that has staying power
This meal is designed to feel substantial, so finishing it can feel like the meal is complete rather than the start of an evening of grazing.
Notice: fullness 2–3 hours later
More staying power
Make the next few hours easier
This meal is built to be more sustaining than a snack-sized stopgap, with enough substance to carry you into the next part of the day.
Notice: energy + fullness later
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
15 min
Cook
75 min
Total
90 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Oven · Knife and cutting board
Time saver
Storage: This soup thickens significantly in the fridge. When reheating, stir in a splash of water or broth to bring it back to your preferred consistency.
Do these three things first
- 1Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 2Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
- 3Read through the steps once before you begin
Ingredients
Gather as you go
Ingredients
From Your Pantry
Cook along
Instructions
0 of 6 steps complete
Next: Dice the carrots
- 01
Dice the carrots
Dice the carrots, celery, and onion into roughly 1/2-inch pieces.
Tap card to mark done - 02
Heat the olive oil in a large…
Heat the olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced vegetables and sauté for 5-7 minutes until they begin to soften.
Look for: they begin to soften
Tap card to mark done - 03
Stir in the dried thyme
Stir in the dried thyme, bay leaf, and black pepper. Add the dried green split peas and the meaty ham bone, nestling the bone into the vegetables.
Tap card to mark done - 04
Pour in the water (or broth) to…
Pour in the water (or broth) to cover the ingredients. Bring the pot to a gentle boil.
Tap card to mark done - 05
Reduce the heat to low
Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer gently for 60 to 75 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent the peas from sticking to the bottom, cooking until the peas have completely broken down and the soup is thick.
Look for: the peas have completely broken down and the soup is thick
Tap card to mark done - 06
Carefully remove the ham bone
Carefully remove the ham bone. Use a fork to pull away any remaining meat, discarding the bone and any tough cartilage. Stir the shredded meat back into the soup. Taste and add salt only if needed (the ham will already provide plenty of savory saltiness).
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