Green Split Pea Smoked Turkey (Printable)

A hearty soup blending tender green split peas, smoky turkey, and aromatic vegetables for warmth.

# Ingredient List:

→ Meats

01 - 1 pound smoked turkey wings or drumsticks

→ Legumes

02 - 2 cups dried green split peas, rinsed and drained

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 medium onion, chopped
04 - 2 medium carrots, diced
05 - 2 celery stalks, diced
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Liquids

07 - 8 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
08 - 1 bay leaf

→ Seasonings

09 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
10 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
11 - Salt to taste

→ Garnishes

12 - Chopped fresh parsley
13 - Croutons

# How to Make:

01 - Heat a splash of oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add the green split peas, smoked turkey, broth, bay leaf, thyme, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil.
04 - Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour. Stir occasionally until peas are tender and soup has thickened.
05 - Remove the turkey pieces from the pot. Shred the meat, discarding skin and bones. Return the shredded meat to the soup.
06 - Remove and discard the bay leaf. Taste the soup and adjust salt as needed.
07 - Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley or croutons if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • This soup costs almost nothing to make but tastes like it simmered all day at a restaurant
  • The smoked turkey gives you incredible depth without adding any extra work
  • Leftovers actually taste better, making it the gift that keeps on giving
02 -
  • The soup will continue to thicken as it sits, so don't panic if it looks thinner than you expected while simmering
  • Smoked turkey varies in saltiness, so always taste before adding any additional salt at the end
  • If the soup becomes too thick, simply thin it with a little more broth or water
03 -
  • Sort through your dried peas before rinsing to remove any small stones or debris
  • A ham bone leftover from a holiday dinner works beautifully in place of smoked turkey

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