This split pea soup is a tradition in our house on New Year’s Day that dates back to my grandmother’s days.
Each January brings with it a new round of New Year’s resolutions. For many, this means going on a diet, making more healthy recipes, or changing some other aspect of life that you may be unhappy with during the last year.
For my grandmother, who was as thrifty as they get, New Year’s Day was THE day to make split pea soup. She swore that if you ate split pea soup on New Year’s Day, it would mean that money would be prosperous for you in the new year.
This belief comes from an old custom that dates back to the Civil War that says that if you eat black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day it will bring prosperity and luck in the new year to come.
I don’t use black-eyed peas, but each year, I dutifully make a batch of split peas, just in case the money part works. (It hasn’t yet, but I live in hope!)
For another hearty crock pot soup, be sure to check out my vegan butternut squash soup. It is also paleo, Whole30 compliant, and gluten-free.
This is my split pea soup recipe. Hope it brings you luck and a bit of money as well!
To make the recipe you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 large ham bone with some ham still attached. (We had ham on Christmas day, so I used the bone that I saved from that meal.)
- 16 ounces of green split peas
- 8 cups of water
- 1 medium onion
- 2 cloves of garlic
- Kosher salt and cracked black pepper to taste.
The split pea soup recipe is made in the crock pot which makes it a great one to make on New Year’s Day, so that the meal is ready when you need it and you don’t have to fuss over it.
I just load up my crock pot and forget about it until later in the day and get some of the other things done that need doing!
Making this hearty crock pot pea and ham soup
Inspect the peas and rinse them. Discard any that don’t look wholesome. Peas don’t need soaking but they should be rinsed.
Place the ham bone in the crock pot and pour in the drained peas. Add the onion and garlic.
Pour in 8 cups of water and season with Kosher salt and cracked black pepper. (I only add a small amount of salt at this time. The ham is salty and I do not want to add too much salt now. I will adjust it later.
Turn the crock pot on to high and cook for 60 minutes then reduce the heat to low and cook for 3 hours.
Remove the lid and take out the bone. Scrape off the ham and put it back into the slow cooker. Discard the bone.
Stir well, taste, and add more seasonings if needed.
Cook for another 2 hours on low.
Serve the split pea soup with some homemade Italian herb bread and bring on the prosperity!
If you are interested in the idea of food superstitions, be sure to visit my holiday site for more lucky food ideas to bring wealth, health, and happiness to your life with food!
This recipe for split pea and ham soup gives you 8 hearty servings with 175 calories each. The soup is loaded with fiber and protein. Serve it with your favorite crusty bread recipe.
Split Pea and Ham Soup

This split pea soup is rich and hearty and flavored with tender pieces of ham.
Ingredients
- 1 large ham bone with some ham still attached. (We had ham on Christmas day, so I used the bone that I saved from that meal.)
- 16 ounces of green split peas
- 8 cups of water
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
- Kosher salt and cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 175Total Fat: 2.7gSaturated Fat: .9gUnsaturated Fat: 1.3gCholesterol: 14.4mgSodium: 840.2mgCarbohydrates: 29.8gFiber: 11.6gSugar: 5.3gProtein: 16.7g
Mary
Thursday 1st of August 2019
Sounds good an deffinatly gonna try it!
Carol
Thursday 1st of August 2019
Hope you enjoy the soup Mary.