Skip to content
Sopa de Chícharo — Split Pea Soup

Sopa de Chícharo

Split Pea Soup

Dried split peas collapse into a creamy, blended soup that keeps thickening as it cools, so it's best served promptly or thinned with a little extra broth.

65 min
Serves 6
Comfort Food
Focus

✦ Antes de Empezar

Before you cook

Why does the soup keep getting thicker after I take it off the stove?

Split peas are very starchy, so the purée continues to thicken as it cools even after you stop cooking it. The recipe warns against reducing it hard on the stove for that reason — if it gets too thick at the table, thin it with a splash of extra broth or water.

Ingredientes· 9
View

The Peas & Broth

  • 1.5 cupsDried Green Split Peasrinsed
  • 1 smallSmoked Ham Hockor chopped smoked ham
  • 6 cupsChicken Broth
  • 2Dried Bay Leaves

The Vegetables

  • 2 mediumCarrotsdiced small
  • 1 ribCelerydiced small
  • 1/2 onion + 2 cloves garlicWhite Onion & Garlicchopped
  • 1 tbspVegetable Oil
  • to tasteSalt & Black Pepper

Instrucciones

6 pasos
  1. Sofríe cebolla y ajo

    Sauté onion and garlic

    Sauté the onion and garlic in oil until soft.

  2. Agrega los chícharos

    Add the peas

    Add the split peas, broth, epazote, salt, and pepper.

  3. Hierve hasta que se deshagan

    Simmer until tender

    Bring to a boil, then simmer for 40 to 50 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the peas collapse.

  4. Licúa con cuidado

    Blend carefully

    Remove the epazote and blend until creamy, working carefully with the hot liquid.

  5. Ajusta la sazón

    Adjust the seasoning

    Return to low heat only long enough to adjust seasoning and consistency — don't reduce it heavily, since the starch keeps thickening the soup as it cools.

  6. Sirve

    Serve

    Serve with crema, croutons, or diced panela, if using.