Split Pea Soup for a Crowd | A Canadian Heritage Recipe

Split Pea Soup for a Crowd | A Canadian Heritage Recipe

Split Pea Soup has been a staple of Canadian homes for generations, treasured for its simplicity and heartiness. This revamped version of the classic recipe pays homage to the original found in the Laura Secord Canadian Cookbook, while adding a modern twist to suit today’s palates. Whether you’re serving it at a family gathering or enjoying a cozy weeknight meal, this soup is a comforting nod to our culinary heritage.

This recipe also honors the tradition of making the most of what’s available—transforming pantry staples and a humble ham bone into a flavorful, hearty dish. It's perfect to serve with warm, fresh bread, evoking memories of family dinners and the end-of-winter Sugar Shack season.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

1. Perfect for a Crowd: With its large yield, this recipe is ideal for family gatherings, meal prepping, or freezing for later.

2. Rich Canadian Heritage: This soup is steeped in history, celebrating the resourcefulness of Canadian cooks from generations past.

3. Customizable and Flexible: Whether you’re using a ham bone, salted lard, or making it vegan with vegetable stock, this recipe is easy to adapt to your needs.

4. Comfort Food at Its Best: Thick, flavorful, and hearty, it’s the ultimate comfort food to warm you up on chilly days.

5. Made with Simple Ingredients: Everything in this recipe is either shelf-stable or easily accessible, making it perfect for any time of year.

Ingredients (16–20 servings):

• 4 cups green, yellow, or red lentils

• 12 cups cold water

• 1 large ham bone with meat left on it

• 3 bay leaves

• 1 cup diced onions

• 1 cup diced carrots

• 1 cup diced celery

• 4 vegetable or beef bouillon cubes

• 2 tsp salt

• 2 tsp ground black pepper

• 1 tbsp dried mustard

• 1 tbsp grainy mustard

• 6 cloves

• 2 tsp onion powder

• 2 tsp garlic powder

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Lentils: Place the lentils, ham bone, and bay leaves in a large pot with cold water. Bring to a boil, cover, and remove from heat. Let stand for 1 hour.

2. Add Aromatics: Wrap the cloves loosely in cheesecloth and add to the pot. Stir in onions, celery, carrots, mustards, and seasonings.

3. Simmer: Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook gently for 2 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

4. Adjust Seasonings: Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or other seasonings as needed.

5. Serve: Remove the ham bone and bay leaves. Serve the soup piping hot with your favorite bread.

   Tips and Tricks:

   • Use any type of lentils; they’ll all take on a yellowish hue when cooked.

   • For a vegetarian/vegan version, skip the ham bone and use vegetable stock for a hearty, meat-free option.

   • This soup freezes beautifully—perfect for meal prep or leftovers!

   • Customize the seasoning to suit your taste. Add herbs like thyme or parsley for an extra layer of flavor.

Split Pea Soup for a Crowd | A Canadian Heritage Recipe

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Yield: 16-20

Author: Richelle Fortin

Split Pea Soup for a Crowd | A Canadian Heritage Recipe16 to 20 servings*Split Pea Soup has been a staple of Canadian homes for generations, treasured for its simplicity and heartiness. This revamped version of the classic recipe pays homage to the original found in the Laura Secord Canadian Cookbook, while adding a modern twist to suit today’s palates. Whether you’re serving it at a family gathering or enjoying a cozy weeknight meal, this soup is a comforting nod to our culinary heritage.This recipe also honors the tradition of making the most of what’s available—transforming pantry staples and a humble ham bone into a flavorful, hearty dish. It's perfect to serve with warm, fresh bread, evoking memories of family dinners and the end-of-winter Sugar Shack season.Why You Will Love This RecipePerfect for a Crowd: With its large yield, this recipe is ideal for family gatherings, meal prepping, or freezing for later.Rich Canadian Heritage: This soup is steeped in history, celebrating the resourcefulness of Canadian cooks from generations past.Customizable and Flexible: Whether you’re using a ham bone, salted lard, or making it vegan with vegetable stock, this recipe is easy to adapt to your needs.Comfort Food at Its Best: Thick, flavorful, and hearty, it’s the ultimate comfort food to warm you up on chilly days.Made with Simple Ingredients: Everything in this recipe is either shelf-stable or easily accessible, making it perfect for any time of year.*It is easy to halve this recipe by cutting all ingredients by half but keeping the cooking times the same.

Ingredients

• 4 cups green, yellow, or red lentils
• 12 cups cold water
• 1 large ham bone with meat left on it
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 cup diced onions
• 1 cup diced carrots
• 1 cup diced celery
• 4 vegetable or beef bouillon cubes
• 2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp dried mustard
• 1 tbsp grainy mustard
• 6 cloves
• 2 tsp onion powder
• 2 tsp garlic powder

Instructions

1. pare the Lentils: Place the lentils, ham bone, and bay leaves in a large pot with cold water. Bring to a boil, cover, and remove from heat. Let stand for 1 hour.
2. Add Aromatics: Wrap the cloves loosely in cheesecloth and add to the pot. Stir in onions, celery, carrots, mustards, and seasonings.
3. Simmer: Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook gently for 2 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
4. Adjust Seasonings: Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or other seasonings as needed.
5. Serve: Remove the ham bone and bay leaves. Serve the soup piping hot with your favorite bread.

Notes

Tips and Tricks:

• Use any type of lentils; they’ll all take on a yellowish hue when cooked.

• For a vegetarian/vegan version, skip the ham bone and use vegetable stock for a hearty, meat-free option.

• This soup freezes beautifully—perfect for meal prep or leftovers!

• Customize the seasoning to suit your taste. Add herbs like thyme or parsley for an extra layer of flavor.