Instant Pot Split Pea Soup: Ham Hock Magic

The Speedy Souper: Instant Pot Split Pea Soup with Smoked Ham Hocks

The moment you lift the lid, the aroma hits you: deep, smoky, rich, and utterly comforting. This isn’t just soup; it’s a bowl of edible history, a classic cold weather hug that somehow manages to taste even better than it smells.

We are talking about the ultimate comfort food, and making Instant Pot Split Pea Soup has radically changed my relationship with this dish forever.

Forget standing over the stove for three hours, occasionally stirring the pot and hoping the peas actually soften before dinnertime. This method uses the pressure cooker, turning a lengthy weekend project into a weeknight slam dunk.

It’s cheap, incredibly filling, and the ease of making this Instant Pot Split Pea Soup means you’ll be putting it into regular rotation immediately.

If you’re ready to taste the creamiest, most intensely flavored split pea soup of your life one that requires practically zero babysitting then let’s crack on. This precise method for Instant Pot Split Pea Soup with ham hocks is the only one you'll ever need.

From Stove Simmer to Pressure Perfection: Why the IP is Ideal for Pea Soup

Traditional split pea soup is beautiful, yes, but it demands patience and often, pre-soaking. The slow simmer gently breaks down the peas, but it’s a huge time commitment. Why choose the Instant Pot for this task?

Because it dramatically compresses the cooking time while forcing the flavors deeper into the liquid and the peas, resulting in an incredible batch of Instant Pot Split Pea Soup .

The Magic of No Pre-Soaking Required

This is my favorite part of making Instant Pot Split Pea Soup . Historically, dried peas and beans required a long soak overnight. Pressure cooking completely eliminates this step.

The high pressure environment forces water directly into the cell walls of the peas, rapidly softening them and ensuring they break down completely into a velvety consistency. It’s a total game changer for quick weeknight meals.

Deep Flavor Infusion in Record Time

When you make Instant Pot Split Pea Soup , the sealed environment concentrates all the savory goodness from the ham hock, the mirepoix , and the stock. The flavors aren't allowed to escape with the steam; they are driven into the peas.

This ensures that every bite of your Instant Pot Split Pea Soup is packed with that smoky, savory depth we crave.

Achieving Velvety Texture, Effortlessly

The key difference here is the complete disintegration of the peas. You don't get that slightly gritty or whole pea texture you sometimes find in stovetop versions. The sheer force of the pressure ensures the peas turn into natural thickeners, giving the finished Instant Pot Split Pea Soup a smooth, luxurious mouthfeel without needing any flour or cornstarch.

The Role of the Mirepoix Base (Onion, Carrot, Celery)

The foundation of any good soup is the aromatic base. We start this Instant Pot Split Pea Soup by sautéing the onion, carrots, and celery (the holy trinity!) right in the pot.

Sautéing them for a full five to seven minutes deepens their sweetness and ensures they don't taste raw in the final product. This simple step adds complexity and is mandatory for the best flavor.

How Pressure Tenderizes the Ham Hocks

Ham hocks are tough. They are full of connective tissue, which is why they usually require hours of gentle heat to become fork tender. Making Instant Pot Split Pea Soup uses the pressure cooker’s power to break down all that collagen in about 15 minutes of cooking time.

The meat falls off the bone, infusing the soup with incredible flavor while leaving you with soft, shreddable protein for the final product.

Understanding the Starch Release of Split Peas

Split peas are legumes that are naturally very high in starch. When they cook under pressure, they release that starch into the cooking liquid. This is precisely why your Instant Pot Split Pea Soup thickens naturally as it cools slightly, creating a consistency that is somewhere between a thick gravy and a smooth purée.

Just remember: the longer you allow the Natural Pressure Release (NPR), the creamier the texture will be.

Essential Components for the Ultimate Comfort Dish

Let’s talk ingredients. While this recipe for Instant Pot Split Pea Soup is incredibly simple, choosing the right components makes a huge difference in the final taste. If you’re serious about making the best pea soup, pay attention to these simple choices.

Selecting the Best Smoked Ham Hocks

Go for smoked, not just cured. The smoky flavour is crucial to the profile of classic Instant Pot Split Pea Soup with Ham Hock . Look for a piece that has a good amount of meat on it, not just skin and bone.

If you can’t find a ham hock, a smoked turkey leg is a fantastic, slightly leaner alternative. I once tried using unsmoked pork knuckle, and the Instant Pot Split Pea Soup tasted flat; never again will I skip the smoke!

The Great Split Pea Debate: Green vs. Yellow

I always use green split peas for this specific recipe. Green peas lend a sweeter, earthier flavor and maintain that classic color. Yellow split peas are drier and more commonly used in Indian cuisine for dhal.

While they work just fine, the result won’t look or taste like the traditional, grandmother approved Instant Pot Split Pea Soup . Stick to green for the traditional comfort dish.

Flavor Boosters: Herbs and Aromatics Checklist

The traditional recipe is simple: thyme and bay leaf. Dried thyme holds up beautifully under pressure. I recommend using high-quality dried thyme, about one teaspoon. Always remember to count your bay leaves! You put two in, you take two out before serving.

You definitely don’t want to be chewing on a bay leaf while enjoying your creamy Instant Pot Split Pea Soup .

Choosing the Right Liquid: Broth vs. Water

Using a low-sodium chicken or vegetable stock rather than water will significantly deepen the background flavor. Since the pressure cooking intensifies everything, starting with a flavorful liquid base means your Instant Pot Split Pea Soup will taste complex and rich.

If you only have water, make sure you use a high-quality bouillon cube or paste to compensate.

Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Soup: The 5 Step Method

This process is straightforward, but attention to the details especially the timing and release method is vital for perfect Instant Pot Split Pea Soup .

Building the Flavor Foundation (Sautéing the Aromatics)

The "Sauté" function on your Instant Pot is not just decoration; it's essential. Heat the oil, toss in your diced onion, carrots, and celery, and let them cook until they look glossy and soft. This takes about 5- 7 minutes. Add the garlic last, cooking for only 60 seconds.

This step prevents the garlic from burning and turning bitter, which would ruin the finished Instant Pot Split Pea Soup .

Deglazing and Securing the Pot

After sautéing, turn the pot off. Pour a splash of stock (maybe half a cup) into the inner pot. Use a wooden spoon to vigorously scrape the bottom, ensuring no brown bits are stuck. This is called deglazing, and it is your primary defense against the dreaded "Burn" notice.

Now you can add the remaining stock, the rinsed peas, the ham hock, thyme, and bay leaves. Secure the lid for a foolproof Instant Pot Split Pea Soup .

Natural Pressure Release vs. Quick Release Timing

We cook the Instant Pot Split Pea Soup on High Pressure for 15 minutes. Once it’s done, you must allow a Natural Pressure Release (NPR) for 15– 20 minutes. This period is critical.

It allows the starches to continue releasing and the fibers of the peas to completely break down. If you perform a Quick Release (QR) immediately, the soup will be thinner, and the peas won't have fully achieved that creamy texture.

Shredding the Meat and Achieving Final Consistency

Carefully remove the ham hock using tongs. Don't worry about the mess; the meat should be falling off the bone easily. Shred the meat and discard the bone and any tough skin. Return the meat to the soup.

Give it a good, hard stir this action helps break up any remaining whole peas and fully incorporates the savory ham. If the soup looks too thick (it often will after the NPR!), simply stir in a splash of warm stock or water until it reaches your ideal consistency for this Instant Pot Split Pea Soup .

Chef's Note: If you want a truly refined texture for your Instant Pot Split Pea Soup, use an immersion blender to quickly purée about half the soup right in the pot before stirring in the shredded ham. This gives you a creamy base with nice little bits of ham and vegetable texture throughout.

Troubleshooting Your Instant Pot Split Pea Soup (Fixing Texture & Salt)

Even easy recipes can hit a snag. Let’s talk about the common issues I see when people are trying their hand at this incredible Instant Pot Split Pea Soup recipe for the first time.

Why Your Soup Might Be Too Thin (And How to Fix It)

If you performed a Quick Release, or if you accidentally added too much liquid, your soup might be watery. Don't panic. The easiest fix is to put the lid on the pot, set the IP to "Keep Warm" or "Sauté" (low setting), and let it simmer, uncovered, for 10– 15 minutes.

The moisture will evaporate, and the starches will continue to thicken. Alternatively, remove 1 cup of the soup, blend it until smooth, and stir it back in. That concentrated starch will thicken the whole pot of Instant Pot Split Pea Soup .

The Danger of Over Salting (The Ham Hock Factor)

Ham hocks are salty, and commercial stocks are often salty, too. This is why we hold off on seasoning until the very end. If you taste your Instant Pot Split Pea Soup and realize you went overboard, try one of these fixes: add a small squeeze of lemon or vinegar (the acidity helps neutralize the perception of salt), or stir in a small amount of peeled potato (which can absorb some sodium), then remove the potato before serving.

Avoiding the "Burn" Notice

The "Burn" notice means something is stuck to the bottom of the pot and is overheating. This happens most often when you skip the deglazing step after sautéing the aromatics. Always scrape the pot clean before adding the peas and sealing the lid.

Also, avoid adding thickeners (like tomato paste or flour) before pressure cooking, as those are guaranteed to trigger the Burn warning when making Instant Pot Split Pea Soup .

Making Meals Easier: Storing and Freezing Split Pea Soup

This recipe makes a big batch, which is perfect for meal prep. One of the best qualities of properly made Instant Pot Split Pea Soup is that it stores and reheats beautifully. You should definitely make a double batch!

Best Practices for Refrigeration

Once your Instant Pot Split Pea Soup has cooled slightly, transfer it to an airtight container. It will keep beautifully in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days. Be warned: it will thicken significantly overnight!

When you go to reheat it, you will almost certainly need to add a splash of water or stock to loosen the texture back up. It’s supposed to be thick, but not concrete like.

Can Split Pea Soup with Ham Hocks Be Frozen?

Yes, absolutely. Instant Pot Split Pea Soup with Ham Hock freezes incredibly well. I like to freeze it in single serving portions using freezer safe containers or heavy duty freezer bags (lay them flat for easy stacking!).

Leave at least 1 inch of headspace in your container, as the soup will expand when frozen. It maintains peak quality for up to 3 months in the freezer.

Reheating Tips for Optimal Texture

The easiest way to reheat frozen Instant Pot Split Pea Soup is to transfer it directly from the freezer to a pot on the stovetop over medium low heat. Stir frequently, adding liquid (water or stock) as needed to return it to that perfect creamy texture.

If you’re reheating a refrigerated portion, you can use the microwave, but reheat in short 60 second bursts, stirring between each, to prevent the starches from separating and becoming gummy.

Perfect Pairings: What to Serve Alongside Classic Split Pea Soup

This hearty Instant Pot Split Pea Soup is really a meal in itself, but a few simple additions can make it feel even more special and balanced.

A light salad is always a great choice to complement the richness of the ham. Something simple, like mixed greens with a tangy Peach Smoothie: Ultimate Creamy Easy Summer Recipe dressing wait, wrong link! Try a simple vinaigrette instead of the smoothie dressing, which pairs better with the savory soup. For those who want more savory comfort food, serving it with small grilled cheese bites or slices of toasted, buttered Peach Bread: Easy Summer Crumble Quick Bread Recipe (surprisingly good with the ham flavors) is essential.

I also love serving this rich soup before a slightly lighter main course, like my recipe for Summer Vegetables with Sausage and Potatoes: Easy One-Tray Supper , as the sheet pan supper requires minimal effort after the soup is done. This recipe for Instant Pot Split Pea Soup really is a keeper, providing maximum flavour for minimum effort. If you try this method, you will never go back to the stovetop again. This specific approach for the Instant Pot Split Pea Soup is simply superior. Go make it!