If you’re looking for a dish that feels like a warm hug in a bowl, look no further than Vegan Split Pea Soup. This cozy, hearty soup is packed with flavor and nutrition, making it an ideal choice for chilly evenings when you crave comfort and simplicity. Whether you’re a seasoned vegan or just dipping your toes into plant-based eating, this soup delivers robust taste and satisfying texture without any fuss. It’s a wholesome, easy-to-make meal that fills your home with inviting aromas and leaves you feeling nourished and cozy.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Wholesome Comfort: Vegan Split Pea Soup offers a rich, creamy texture that feels indulgent yet is completely plant-powered.
- Simple Ingredients: Each component enhances the natural sweetness and earthiness of the split peas, creating delicious depth without complicated steps.
- Nutrition Packed: This soup delivers fiber, protein, and essential vitamins that keep you full and energized.
- Versatile and Adaptable: Easily customize with your favorite veggies or spices to suit any mood or taste.
- Budget-Friendly: Made with pantry staples, it’s an affordable way to enjoy a gourmet-style soup anytime.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Vegan Split Pea Soup lies in its simplicity. Each ingredient plays a key role in building layers of flavor, vibrant color, and satisfying mouthfeel. By combining wholesome veggies, aromatic herbs, and hearty split peas, you create a balanced and filling meal.
- Split Peas: The star of the recipe, offering creamy consistency and plant-based protein.
- Carrots: Add natural sweetness and a pleasant tender bite to the soup.
- Celery: Provides a subtle depth and refreshing crunch when cooked just right.
- Onion: Builds the foundational flavor with savory notes that develop as it simmers.
- Garlic: Infuses the broth with aromatic warmth and a wonderful punch.
- Vegetable Broth: Acts as the soup base, enhancing all other ingredients with a savory backdrop.
- Bay Leaves: Deliver subtle herbal complexity for a well-rounded taste.
- Thyme: A fragrant herb that complements the natural earthiness of peas and vegetables.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning to bring all flavors into perfect harmony.
- Olive Oil: Helps soften veggies and supports delicious browning of aromatics.
Variations for Vegan Split Pea Soup
If you want to personalize the Vegan Split Pea Soup, it’s incredibly simple to make adjustments according to what you love or what you have on hand. These variations make it easy to adapt this soup for different tastes or dietary needs.
- Smoky Flavor: Add smoked paprika or liquid smoke for a deep, BBQ-like depth without meat.
- Spicy Kick: Incorporate red pepper flakes or cayenne to heat up the flavor profile.
- Greens Addition: Stir in chopped kale or spinach near the end for added nutrition and color.
- Herb Swaps: Replace thyme with rosemary or sage to tweak the herbal notes.
- Chunky Style: Reserve some peas or veggies before pureeing to retain texture if you prefer heartier bites.
How to Make Vegan Split Pea Soup
Step 1: Prepare Vegetables
Start by finely chopping your onions, carrots, celery, and garlic. This prep sets the stage for the flavorful base, so make sure the pieces are uniform for even cooking.
Step 2: Sauté Aromatics
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, then add onions, carrots, and celery. Cook gently until softened and translucent, about 8 minutes. Toss in garlic during the last minute to avoid burning it.
Step 3: Add Split Peas and Liquids
Rinse your split peas thoroughly and add them to the pot along with vegetable broth, bay leaves, and thyme. Stir everything together, then bring the mixture to a boil.
Step 4: Simmer Gently
Lower the heat to a gentle simmer and cover the pot. Let the soup cook for about 45 to 60 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the peas are tender and the soup thickens.
Step 5: Blend and Season
Remove bay leaves, then either partially or fully puree the soup using an immersion blender for a creamy texture, or mash slightly with a potato masher if you prefer it chunky. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or herbs as desired.
Pro Tips for Making Vegan Split Pea Soup
- Rinse Thoroughly: Washing split peas removes dust and loosened skins for cleaner broth.
- Gentle Simmer: Avoid boiling vigorously to prevent the peas from breaking apart too quickly or sticking.
- Layer Flavors: Sauté aromatics before simmering to bring out their full natural sweetness.
- Use Fresh Herbs: Fresh thyme or bay leaves deliver much brighter flavors than dried options.
- Adjust Consistency: Add more broth or water while simmering if it becomes too thick.
How to Serve Vegan Split Pea Soup
Garnishes
Top with fresh chopped parsley, cracked black pepper, or a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil for a burst of color and freshness. Crispy croutons or toasted pumpkin seeds add a delightful crunch.
Side Dishes
Serve alongside crusty whole grain bread or soft dinner rolls that soak up the rich broth perfectly. A simple green salad can bring a refreshing crispness to the meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For a modern touch, serve the soup in vintage mason jars or mini bowls for portion control. Swirl in a spoonful of coconut yogurt or cashew cream on top to add creamy tang without dairy.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Vegan Split Pea Soup in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days to maintain freshness and flavor integrity.
Freezing
This soup freezes beautifully. Portion into freezer-safe containers or bags and freeze for up to 3 months, providing a quick and hearty meal option anytime.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add a splash of broth or water if the soup has thickened too much after refrigeration or freezing.
FAQs
Is Vegan Split Pea Soup high in protein?
Yes, split peas are an excellent plant-based protein source, making this soup both filling and nourishing without needing animal products.
Can I use yellow split peas instead of green?
Absolutely! Both green and yellow split peas work well, offering slightly different colors but similar flavors and textures.
Do I need to soak the split peas before cooking?
No soaking is necessary for split peas; rinsing before use is sufficient to remove impurities and dust.
How do I make the soup thicker or thinner?
Add more broth or water to thin out the soup, or simmer it uncovered a bit longer to evaporate liquid and thicken naturally.
Can I add potatoes or other vegetables?
Definitely. Potatoes, parsnips, or sweet potatoes complement this soup wonderfully and add extra heartiness and nutrition.
Final Thoughts
Vegan Split Pea Soup is truly a must-try for anyone who loves wholesome, cozy meals with minimal fuss. Its rich flavor, comforting warmth, and nourishing ingredients make it a go-to recipe for fall and winter nights. Whip up a pot, gather your favorite garnishes, and enjoy the simple joy of a homemade bowl that feels like it was made just for you.
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Vegan Split Pea Soup
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan, Gluten Free
Description
Vegan Split Pea Soup is a cozy, hearty, and nourishing plant-based soup that combines tender split peas with fresh vegetables and aromatic herbs for a flavorful and comforting meal, perfect for chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups split peas, rinsed
- 2 medium carrots, finely chopped
- 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Vegetables: Finely chop onions, carrots, celery, and garlic into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking and build a flavorful base.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onions, carrots, and celery, cooking gently until softened and translucent, about 8 minutes. Add minced garlic during the last minute to prevent it from burning.
- Add Split Peas and Liquids: Rinse the split peas thoroughly, then add them to the pot with vegetable broth, bay leaves, and thyme. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer Gently: Reduce heat to a gentle simmer, cover the pot, and cook for 45 to 60 minutes. Stir occasionally until the peas are tender and the soup thickens.
- Blend and Season: Remove bay leaves from the pot. Use an immersion blender to partially or fully puree the soup for a creamy texture, or mash slightly with a potato masher for a chunkier style. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or herbs.
Notes
- Rinse split peas thoroughly to remove dust and loose skins for a cleaner broth.
- Simmer gently to prevent peas from breaking apart too quickly or sticking to the pot.
- Sauté the vegetables first to bring out their natural sweetness and enhance flavor.
- Use fresh herbs like thyme and bay leaves for brighter, more aromatic flavors than dried alternatives.
- Adjust soup consistency by adding more broth or water if it becomes too thick while cooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Soups
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Vegan
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 0mg