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Instant Pot ham and green split pea soup is perfect for a cool evening or anytime you’re craving a good soup. Made in the Instant Pot, but tastes like it’s been cooking all day.

Any time we make a ham, whether it’s for Christmas or Easter, I love using the hambone to make soup afterwards. One of the best things about an Instant Pot is eating food that tastes like it cooked and simmered for hours when it took less than an hour to make.
There are so many fun things to cook in it and it amazes me how quickly is cooks. This Instant Pot ham and green split pea soup is one of our favorites.
What are split peas?
Split peas belong to the same family as beans and lentils, but they are grown with the intention of being dried. They are produced by harvesting the pea pods when they are fully mature and then drying them.
Once they are dried and the skins removed, they split naturally. Green split peas are the most common variety in the United States.
What are the benefits of split peas?
Split peas offer significant levels of protein, fiber, iron, zinc, and phosphorus. They are also low in fat, and a good source of folate, iron, and potassium.
They contain about 115 calories, 8 grams of protein, and 8 grams of fiber per 1/2 cup.
Do I need to presoak beans made in the Instant Pot?
The high pressure of the Instant Pot eliminates the need for overnight soaking. However, you can cook both soaked and unsoaked beans in the Instant Pot.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Made in the Instant Pot for fast cooking
- Tastes like it’s been simmering all day
- Flavorful dinner in about an hour

Ingredients
What you’ll need to make this recipe.
- Butter
- Onion
- Celery
- Carrot
- Garlic
- Salt
- Hambone with meat
- Green split peas
- Water
- Bay leaf
- Salt and pepper
How to make this recipe
1 – Melt the butter in the Instant Pot over medium-high heat.
2 – Add the onion, celery, carrots, and garlic and sprinkle with salt. Sauté until the onion softens, about 5 minutes.
3 – Add the hambone to the pot, the bay leaf, then the peas, and cover with the water.
4 – Lock the lid on the Instant Pot. Pressure cook on high for 20 minutes.
5 – When the cooking time is over, quick release the pressure.
6 – Remove the lid, tilting it away from you to avoid any hot steam.
7 – Take the hambone out of the pot and pull the ham from the hambone, discarding any pieces of fat or gristle.
8 – Shred and chop the ham, then stir the ham into the pot, and discard the hambone.
9 – Season with a little salt and pepper and it’s ready to serve!

How long can I store homemade split pea soup in the refrigerator?
Split pea soup that has been continuously refrigerated, in an airtight container, will last for about 3 to 4 days.
Can I freeze homemade split pea soup?
Yes! Allow the split pea soup to cool. Ladle the soup into a resealable freezer bag, leaving enough space at the top of the bag to allow for expansion during freezing. Squeeze as much air as possible out of the top of the bag and seal securely. Place the soup-filled freezer bag in the freezer laying flat.
Please Note
The Instant Pot needs to come to pressure before the cooking time starts, similar to an oven that needs to preheat. The cooking time doesn’t actually start until pressure builds, which can take anywhere from 5-15 minutes, sometimes longer depending on how full the pot is and how much liquid there is inside. Once it reaches pressure the Instant Pot will beep, and the cook time will begin to count down. Please, make sure to consider that extra time when planning your meal.
Calories per serving (1 cup): 302
Instant Pot Ham and Green Split Pea Soup

Instant Pot ham and green split pea soup is the perfect for a cool evening or anytime you're craving a good soup. Made in the Instant Pot, but tastes like it's been cooking all day.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1 celery rib, diced
- 1 large carrot, peeled and chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp salt, or more to preference
- 1 hambone with clinging meat
- 1 lb green split peas, sorted and rinsed
- 6 cups water
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Melt the butter in the Instant Pot over medium-high heat.
- Add the onion, celery, carrots, and garlic to the Instant Pot, and then sprinkle with the salt. Sauté until the onion softens, about five minutes.
- Add the hambone to the pot, the bay leaf, then the peas, and cover with the water.
- Lock the lid on the Instant Pot. Cook on high pressure for 20 minutes. When the cooking time is over, quick release the pressure.
- Take the hambone out of the pot and pull the ham from the hambone, discarding any pieces of fat or gristle. Shred and chop the ham, then stir the ham into the pot, and discard the hambone.
- Add a pinch of black pepper and salt. Stir and serve.
Notes
How to sort and rinse beans: Arrange dried beans on a sheet pan, or clean kitchen towel, and sort through them to pick out any shriveled or broken beans, stones or debris. Rinse the sorted beans well in cold, running water.
- If you don't have a hambone you can buy one from the meat department at most grocery stores.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Amount Per Serving: Calories: 302Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 22gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 333mgCarbohydrates: 27gFiber: 13gSugar: 1gProtein: 17g
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Other recipes you’ll love
Instant Pot Loaded Potato Soup
Instant Pot 15 Bean and Ham Soup
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Enjoy!

Charlene maneafaiga
Thursday 2nd of January 2020
What does "split peas, sorted" mean? Do you have to soak split peas 12 hours before making this recipe?
simplylowcal
Thursday 2nd of January 2020
Hi Charlene, sorted means to go through the beans to take out the bad beans. Meaning any that are broken, shriveled, or appears burned or unnaturally dark. You don't have to presoak these beans since the Instant Pot can fully cook them to be tender in a short time.
Adriana
Monday 30th of December 2019
I made this on my Instant Pot using leftover ham I had from Christmas what a delight. The soup is so comforting and just needs a side salad for making it a complete meal.
simplylowcal
Monday 30th of December 2019
That's great, Adriana! :)
Noelle
Monday 30th of December 2019
I love split pea soup!! This was so fun to make in my instant pot, great recipe!
simplylowcal
Monday 30th of December 2019
Thanks, Noelle! :)
Dannii
Monday 30th of December 2019
My Nan always used to make ham and pea soup. This recipe is bringing back some happy food memories.
simplylowcal
Monday 30th of December 2019
That's great to hear, Dannii. :)
Anita
Monday 30th of December 2019
It's a nice and simple and lovely soup for the winter. And it's a great way to use that leftover ham bone instead of tossing it away. :)
simplylowcal
Tuesday 31st of December 2019
Thanks! It's such a perfect way to use the hambone. :)