Vegan Smoky Split Pea Soup is creamy, incredibly easy, and packed with smoky flavor thanks to a duo of secret ingredients! A 5 ingredient one pot recipe.
One pot.
Two steps.
5 ingredients.
Lets get cooking!
Before giving up pork, split pea soup was one of my favorite winter recipes. It is warm, hearty, and so complex thanks to the smoke flavor, which in traditional recipes, was compliments of ham or bacon. When I tried to make my first vegan split pea soup by doing away with the pork, well... it fell flat. Just split peas, carrots, and celery was too simple. It lacked the flavor that the traditional recipe was famous for.
Enter... LIQUID SMOKE.
I discovered this stuff at a little pizza cafe back home where they use it to flavor their gouda cheese, to give it that signature smokey flavor (its to die for). The kind shop owner kindly divulged her secret and on the drive home I was not only filled to the brim with pizza, but also recipe writing day dreams. I already had big plans for this potent liquid. Starting with my beloved split pea soup. It adds the oomph back to this recipe and I bet your non-vegan friends and family won't even notice the ham is missing.
Actually, I promise they won't notice :)
Smoky Split Pea Soup (Vegan!)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 -6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Cuisine: dairy-free, egg-free, gluten-free, grain-free, no nightshades, refined sugar-free, soy-free, sugar-free, vegan, vegetarian
Description
A smokey split pea soup recipe without the ham! This soup is so simple and delicious. All you need is one pot and 5 ingredients.
Ingredients
- 3 carrots, chopped
- 3 stalks of celery, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 lb. Split Peas (about 2 cups)
- ½ to 1 teaspoon liquid smoke, depending on taste
- 2 teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Optional for serving:
- Croutons
- Smoked Paprika
Instructions
- Add the carrots, celery, onion, and split peas to a large soup pot. Add 8 cups of water and stir. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for 30 minutes. Remove lid and add in the liquid smoke, salt and pepper. Simmer for 10 more minutes.
- Turn off the heat and allow the soup to cool slightly. Blend the soup, in batches if needed, until smooth. Return to the bowl to heat up to your desired serving temperature. Serve as is or top with croutons and pimenton.
Notes
- For a no nightshades recipe, do not garnish with smoked paprika.
- For a gluten-free and grain-free recipe, do not garnish with croutons.
You had me at "One pot. Two steps. 5 ingredients." Not a very talented cook here, but on my way to veganism, and this makes it manageable! Thank you!
Hi Julie, I'm glad to help :) When I first went vegan I didn't even know where to start! I'm sure you're light years ahead of where I was. Happy cooking!
I need to find myself some liquid smoke! That's such a great idea to add a smokey flavor without any meat! genius :)
Thank you Rachel. I also bet that replacing the salt in the recipe with smoked sea salt would work well too!
Yummy... I really love it. i would like to add Smoked Paprika flavour it makes some more taste :-)
Thank you Ramesh! I love the smoked paprika too! It adds such a great flavor :)
I added chipotle pepper and blended in some frozen green peas at the end to give it a fresh pea taste pop and colour. Then drizzled coconut cream on top for the looks, and added creaminess.
Hi Anne! That sounds like an amazing variation. I will be giving it a try :)
Giving it a go right now- using some smoked chipotle instead of the liquid smoke though- just threw them in a pan to activate, soaking them in some homemade stock for half an hr then i'll chop them and throw them in with the smoky stock water from the start of the cooking. Healthy alternative to liquid smoke :)
LOVE this! I have always wondered if there was a healthier way to get that smoky flavor. Can't wait to try it :)