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Looking for an easy, inexpensive recipe for a classic soup? This vegan split pea soup recipe comes together easily and cooks on the stovetop for about an hour. Most of the cooking is hands-off and you can make it ahead of time for meals throughout the week!
We will never get tired of our endless search for budget-friendly plant-based recipes. Having those easy, quick, and very inexpensive meals to turn to can be a tremendous help, so rest assured we’ll keep them coming! This Split Pea Soup is high up on that list, so get ready to learn the ropes.
Cooking with dry split peas and other legumes is a great way to save money on meals, often cooking up the same amount of 3 to 4 cans of beans at a fraction of the cost. The best place to buy them is at the bulk bin section of your local store. The veggies, herbs, and spices can be found at very convenient prices at most grocery stores.
If you love cooking with beans, you might also enjoy this Vegan Minestrone Soup, Vegan Pasta Primavera, and Turmeric Yellow Split Peas.
Why This Recipe Works
- Budget-friendly: That’s what we’re all about here and this vegan split pea soup really delivers!
- Simple ingredients: There’s no lengthy list of things you need to pick up at the store to make this recipe.
- Comfort food classic: This vegan soup recipe is comfort food at its best. It has great flavor, creamy texture, and is extremely satisfying and filling.
- Great flavor. This meal is so delicious while still using easy-to-find and low-cost ingredients.
What is Split Pea Soup?
Split pea soup is a hearty, legume-based soup most commonly made with green split peas though yellow can be used as well. Not much is really needed to make a great-tasting vegan version of this soup since the split peas cook up naturally sweet and flavorful.
It cooks up into a creamy soup without needing blending thanks to the split peas which fall apart when cooked. It’s hearty enough for a main meal but makes a great side dish as well.
What Goes Into This Recipe
This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients you can grab on a quick trip to the grocery store.
- Vegetable oil: You can use any neutral vegetable oil.
- Aromatics and veggies: The first layers of flavor start with yellow onion, fresh garlic, carrots, and celery.
- Split peas: You can find dry split peas in just about any grocery store.
- Vegetarian bouillon cubes or paste: A quick way to add flavor to the soup, you can also use 6 cups vegetable broth instead and eliminate the water.
For the complete list of ingredients and quantities, check the recipe card further down on the page.
How To Make Split Pea Soup Vegan
- 1) Heat the oil in a large soup pot over medium heat.
- 2) When hot, add the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery, and saute for 5 to 7 minutes.
- 3) Add the split peas, water, and bouillon or broth and cover with the lid. Lower the heat to low and cook for 45 minutes. Then remove the lid and cook for 15 minutes longer.
- 4) When ready, season to taste with salt and black pepper.
Expert Tips
- Age of split peas. The older your bag of split peas, the longer they take to cook, so if you find that after an hour of cooking, they still aren’t tender enough … they may have been sitting around a bit and simply need to cook longer.
- Speed up the cooking time: If you want your split peas to cook more quickly, you can soak them overnight before cooking. This generally reduces the cooking time considerably.
- Season with salt after cooking. Split peas, like other legumes, cook more quickly in unsalted water. Be sure to add at the end to your tastes. I find split peas generally need a fairly generous amount of salt.
FAQs
The slightly sweet, yet earthy flavor of split peas taste great when flavored with bay leaves, chili peppers or powder, chives, cumin, curry, garlic, ginger, oregano, smoked paprika, black pepper, rosemary, or turmeric.
No, split peas do not need to be soaked prior to cooking. However, they can be soaked in advance of cooking which reduces the length of time they need to cook.
How to Serve
- Toppings: Vegan split pea soup cooks up deliciously creamy so I find adding some crunchy toppings works great. Croutons, toasted pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds are some of my favorites.
- Salads: This hearty soup works great paired with a side salad such as this Fall-flavored Salad or a Strawberry Kale Salad.
- Sandwiches: If you want a slightly heartier meal, pair a bowl of vegan split pea soup with half of a sandwich. I love this vegan bagel sandwich or a pesto tofu sandwich!
- Bread and crackers: For a simple meal, pair it with a homemade loaf of bread, freshly baked focaccia, or some homemade crackers.
How to Store
- Make ahead: This vegan split pea soup is a perfect choice for meal-prep Sundays! Make it ahead on the weekend or cook up a double batch and store it in the fridge or freezer to use for meals. If you’re afraid you’ll get bored with the same meal, do not fret. You can customize it every single time. You can add some cooked rice one day and some spicy cooked tofu the next.
- Refrigerator: Allow the soup to cool completely and then transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to five days.
- Freezer: Use a well-sealed container for the freezer and store for up to three months.
- Reheat: Return the vegan split pea soup to a pot or saucepan and heat over medium heat until heated through. The soup thickens considerably as it sits so you may need to add water or vegetable broth when reheating to thin it out.
More Vegan Soup Recipes
- Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Soup
- Caldo de Tofu (Vegan Tofu Soup)
- Garlic Ginger Soup
- Veggie Ramen Soup
- Hearty Kale and Bean Soup
Photos by Alfonso Revilla
Vegan Split Pea Soup
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon of vegetable or olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 large carrot, diced
- 2 ribs of celery, sliced
- 2 cups of split peas
- 6 cups of vegetable broth
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large pot (with a lid) over medium heat.
- Add onion, garlic, carrots, and celery, and sauté for 5 to 7 minutes.
- Add split peas, and vegetable broth, cover with the lid, lower the heat to a simmer, and cook for 45 minutes. Uncover and cook for 15 minutes.
- Serve garnished with salt and pepper.
Video
Notes
- Age of split peas. The older your bag of split peas, the longer they take to cook so if you find that after an hour of cooking, they still aren’t tender enough they may have been sitting around a bit and simply need to cook longer.
- Speed up the cooking time: If you want your split peas to cook more quickly, you can soak them overnight before cooking. This generally reduces the cooking time considerably.
- Season with salt after cooking. Split peas, like other legumes, cook more quickly in unsalted water. Be sure to add at the end to your own tastes. I find split peas to generally need a fairly generous amount of salt.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: Although plantbasedonabudget.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Plantbasedonabudget.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.
Tasty with a simple flavor profile, but give yourself plenty of time for this to cook on the stovetop.
I cooked it per the recipe… and then added time in fifteen minute increments for an additional 45 minutes or so, but the peas still didn’t seem tender, and the soup wasn’t “creamy” as comments described. So I baked a loaf of bread and left the soup simmering for an additional hour. The soup seemed better after that, but still not “creamy.” Using an immersion blender helped a lot, and I’m anticipating that it will be even better tomorrow.
I bought the peas a week or two ago so maybe they sat for a while on the shelf at the store.
Bottom line, this is best made on a lazy Sunday afternoon or another time when you have a lot of flexibility.
Thanks for your input! So glad you enjoyed this tasty soup!
This was amazing
I did add smoke flavor and thyme. Left out salt and pepper. Addd an extra carrot.
So glad you enjoyed it! Love those additions!
I have made so many versions of split pea soup. I’m not vegan, but as we’re aging my wife and I are trying to be more free of animal products for health and the environment. This recipe is EXCELLENT. I followed your portions but made mine in our pressure cooker. Sauteed the onions, garlic and veggies then added the rest and set on soup for 45 minutes. It came out creamy and perfect. Thank you for giving us a meal that is now on our regular “rotation.”
So glad you enjoyed this yummy soup!
This split pea soup was so yummy and gave me major nostalgia back to my childhood. 🥹 While sautéing the veggies I did add some smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, and a dash of liquid smoke. For serving, I paired it with Ritz crackers. Thank you for this amazing recipe! 🥣 😋
Thank you so much! 🙂 So glad you enjoyed it.
We’re not keen on Split Soup in my family that is until now. This easy to make soup with just a few ingredients is awesome! It was a pleasure to make and yummy to eat 😋.
Have made it twice within two weeks by popular demand from my family. This recipe is definitely a keeper.
Thank you for this wining recipe which freezes well too!
That’s so awesome! It’s a tasty one for sure!
Delicious, satisfying comfort soup that cooks so easily and always tastes good. This vegan split pea soup is my go-to for cold evenings when I need something to warm up.
So glad you’re enjoying this soup! It’s such a savory soup that hits the spot every time!
This veggie soup is so freaking good and comforting!
Yesss! So filling and cozy all in one bowl!
This looks wonderful
I would love to know how to adjust the time to make this in the instant pot.
Thanks
i love how soft and cozy this vegan split pea soup recipe is. perfect when you are feeling a little run down
Definitely a great pick-me-up soup!
Perfect for upcoming cold days!
Yesss! So soothing!
Warm, inviting, and full of fiber. You can’t go wrong with this soup recipe!
Agreed! This soup hits the spot!
This is the perfect fall soup, so filling and so tasty!
One of my favorite soups for sure!
This veggie soup is so COZY. I can’t wait to make it all season long!
One of the coziest soups for sure!
Love how easy this split pea soup is! It’s going to be perfect for soup season 🙂
It’s added to my soup rotation too! So good!
Spilt pea soup is that comfort meal that always goes great on any day! Lol
Yesss! It always hits the spot!
This soup is thick and rich. I love a good soup or stew on a cold autumn night.
Gotta love a rich soup to warm you up! It’s a delicious one!
Prepped this soup for my lunches this week and I looked forward to enjoying it every single day. Loved how hearty this soup is and kept me satiated so I didn’t need anything else for lunch. Making it again this weekend. Thanks for the recipe.
It’s definitely a filling one alright! So good!
This split pea soup is such a healthy warm and comforting meal that’s perfect for the colder months ahead. I love how easy is it to make in a large batch, making it great for meal prep for busy weeknights.
So true! It’s definitely a great meal prep option! So great to enjoy throughout the week!
Thank you for this awesome and healthy veggie soup! My family loved it! So full of flavors!
So glad the family loved this one! It’s a favorite of mine too!
Very tasty recipe! It didn’t come out think and creamy like your pictures, it was more on the runny side but it was still yummy regardless. I will definitely be making again!!
A quick, healthy, and very tasty veggie soup recipe. Loved it, thanks!
Nothing like a quick tasty soup!