Description
This traditional Swedish Yellow Pea Soup is a hearty and comforting dish made with dried yellow peas, vegetables, and savory ham. Simmered slowly to bring out rich flavors and thick, creamy texture, it is perfect for cold days and served with a touch of mustard and fresh parsley for added zest.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Ingredients
- 2 cups dried yellow peas, rinsed and sorted
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 ham bone or 2 cups cooked ham, diced
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 8 cups water or chicken broth
- Salt to taste
For Serving
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
- Thin pancakes (optional, for serving alongside)
Instructions
- Prepare the Peas: Rinse and sort the yellow peas thoroughly to remove any debris or impurities, ensuring a clean base for the soup.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large pot, add the rinsed peas, water or chicken broth, chopped onion, diced carrots, chopped celery, ham bone or diced ham, bay leaf, dried thyme, and ground black pepper.
- Simmer the Soup: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the peas are tender and begin to break apart, creating a creamy texture.
- Remove Ham Bone and Add Meat: If using a ham bone, remove it from the soup once the peas are tender. Pull off any remaining meat from the bone, shred it finely, and return the meat back to the soup for added flavor and texture. If using diced ham, stir it in after cooking.
- Season and Finalize: Season the soup with salt to your preference. Discard the bay leaf before serving.
- Serve: Ladle the soup hot into bowls. Add a dollop of mustard on top of each serving and garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Optionally, serve with thin Swedish pancakes on the side for a complete traditional meal.
Notes
- Soaking the yellow peas overnight can reduce cooking time but is not essential.
- The ham bone adds a rich smoky flavor, but diced cooked ham works well as a substitute.
- Adjust the thickness by adding more broth if needed during cooking.
- Mustard adds a tangy contrast and is the traditional accompaniment.
- This soup freezes well; cool completely before freezing in portions.
