4.63 from 8 votes

Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup with Ham

Name: Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup with Ham
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 600 min
Total time: 620 min
Ingredients: 6-8 cups chicken broth (* See note below.); 1 bag (1-pound) green or yellow split peas (looked over for tiny twigs and stones); 1 large onion (finely chopped (2 cups)); 3 medium carrots (chopped (1 cup)); 3 stalks celery (chopped (1 cup)); 1 pound Yukon gold or red potatoes (cut into 1/2-inch chunks); 6 cloves garlic (minced); 1-2 chipotle chiles in adobo sauce (to taste and tolerance, chopped); 1 package (8-ounce) diced ham (preferably smoked); Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste); 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

By CarolPublished Mar 03, 2026

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10 hrs 20 mins

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Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup is the easiest soup ever! Smoky ham adds richness, while a touch of chipotle adds subtle heat and depth, keeping every spoonful interesting. If you think split pea soup is bland or one-note, this recipe will change your mind!

“I made this today, and it was amazing! Definitely adding it to my favorite recipe file! Thank you for sharing another keeper!”

Two servings of Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup in white bowls on oval white platter.

From my kitchen to yours

Am I the only one who craves split pea soup? It was one of my favorite meals growing up, and my mother made it often because it was easy, no-fuss, and budget-friendly.

This version keeps all of that comfort but leans a little more grown-up. Smoky ham adds depth, and chipotle brings just enough heat to wake everything up. It’s still the hearty, satisfying soup I loved as a kid with a bold twist that makes it feel new again.

Serve with my Easy Herb Bread and Radish Salad. Enjoy!

Why This Recipe is a Keeper!
How to Make Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup:
Chef Tips and Tricks:
Recipe FAQs:
More great slow cooker soup recipes you’ll love!
Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup with Ham Recipe

Why This Recipe is a Keeper!

There’s nothing fancy about a pot of split pea soup simmering on the stove, and that’s the point. Add smoky ham and a little chipotle, then let it simmer in your slow cooker while you go about your day. It keeps everything you love about the classic and adds just enough warmth and flavor to make it interesting. It’s hearty, filling, and made with simple ingredients that come together into something really satisfying.

This split pea soup with ham in the slow cooker is:

Budget-friendly! Dried split peas are an inexpensive protein source, and ham stretches it. If you have a leftover ham bone, this recipe for split pea soup is the perfect way to make it go even further.
Mostly hands-off! Once you get it prepped, your slow cooker does the rest of the work.
Great for leftovers! It reheats well and often tastes even better the next day. Portion it out for easy lunches all week.
Freezer-friendly! Make a big batch and stash some away in the freezer for busy nights.

It’s simple, practical comfort food with the right amount of heat to make it interesting!

One serving of Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup in white bowl with spoon.

How to Make Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup:

Recipe Ingredients:

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this recipe for split pea soup. The exact quantities are on the recipe card below.

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup in glass bowls.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions:

Chicken Broth: Use chicken broth or stock. You can also use vegetable broth.
Split Peas: Use yellow or green split peas. Can also use regular brown lentils.
Chipotle Pepper: This recipe calls for one canned chipotle chili in adobo sauce. If you prefer it extra spicy, you can use two. Don’t use the whole can! Start with a small amount — you can always add more, but you can’t take the heat out. If any amount of spice is a no-go, use 1-2 teaspoons of smoked paprika.
Ham: Avoid any sweetened ham, such as honey ham. I used regular diced smoked ham in this split pea soup recipe. If you don’t consume pork, use turkey ham. This recipe is also great with smoked sausage (pork, turkey, or beef), plant-based alternatives, or your leftover hambone.
Potatoes: I like to use Yukon Gold potatoes for their color and waxy texture, which helps them hold together. You can also use red potatoes, which are considered waxy.

Step-By-Step Instructions:

Gather and prep all the ingredients.

Diced vegetables and ham in black slow cooker before being mixed together.

Combine the first 9 ingredients in a slow cooker.

Diced vegetables and ham in black slow cooker before being mixed together with chicken broth being poured in with glass pitcher.

NOTE: 6 cups of broth will yield a thick, stew-like consistency. 8 cups will produce a more brothy soup. I found 7 cups to be the perfect consistency, but it’s up to you.

Diced vegetables and ham in black slow cooker before being mixed together with chicken broth added.

Stir and cover.

Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup in black slow cooker after being cooked.

Cook on HIGH for 4 to 6 hours or LOW for 8 to 10 hours, stirring once.

Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup in black slow cooker after being cooked with soup ladle.

The peas should be nice and tender. Adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper to taste.

Two individual servings of Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup in white bowls on oval white platter.

Chef Tips and Tricks:

It’s always a good idea to look dried peas and lentils over carefully for things like tiny twigs or even stones. Place a handful on a white or light surface and look through them. I like to use a paper plate because they’re easy to slide into whatever I’m making.
Preheat your slow cooker if possible to shave off a little time. Pour in the chicken broth and let it heat while you chop the vegetables.
Go easy on the salt at first. Ham and broth can already be salty. Taste and adjust at the end.
Add the chipotle gradually. You can always add more heat, but you can’t take it out.
Six cups of broth will yield a thick, stew-like consistency. Eight cups will produce a more brothy soup. I found seven cups to be the perfect consistency, but it’s up to you. Start with six cups. You can always thin the soup at the end, but you can’t easily fix a watery pot.
Keep the peeking at a minimum because lifting the lid releases heat and steam. However, a good stir halfway through helps everything break down and cook evenly, resulting in that classic velvety texture.

One serving of Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup in a white bowl with soup spoon.

Recipe FAQs:

Do you need to soak split peas before making split pea soup with ham in the slow cooker?

No, you don’t. They’ll soften up just fine in the slow cooker (if they’re not old). Just like lentils, check them over for any debris, such as tiny twigs or shriveled peas. A good rinse never hurts either.

Why are my split peas still hard after cooking?

Voice of experience here, but they were probably old and expired. I hate to admit it, but I have cooking disasters just like everyone else. The peas in my first batch of this split pea soup with ham in the slow cooker wouldn’t soften because they had been in my pantry for a while. I remade the soup with a new bag of peas, and I had no issues whatsoever. If you have old peas in your pantry, they make great pie weights! Just not split pea soup.

Can you make split pea soup with ham in the slow cooker ahead of time?

Yes, absolutely! Bonus: It often tastes better the next day. Prepare it as directed, let it cool, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days. It will thicken up, but that’s normal. Just add a little water or broth and reheat in the slow cooker or on the stovetop.

Can I freeze split pea soup with ham?

Yes, it does very well frozen, thawed, and reheated. Let it cool completely, then freeze in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator or microwave. You may need to add a little water or broth, then reheat on the stovetop or microwave.