Are you ready to indulge in a bowl of pure comfort? Our Instant Pot Creamy Split Pea Soup is not just a meal; it’s an experience that will warm your heart and soul! This velvety, rich soup combines the earthy goodness of split peas with the delightful crunch of fresh vegetables, all brought together in a matter of minutes. Perfect for cozy nights or meal prep, this recipe yields six hearty servings that will leave your family asking for seconds. Dive into our easy step-by-step guide and discover how to whip up this deliciously creamy soup that’s sure to become a staple in your kitchen!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup split peas
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon thyme
Instructions
- Rinse the split peas thoroughly under cold water, removing any small stones or debris. Drain and set aside.
- Dice the onion, carrots, and celery into uniform small pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent texture.
- Set the Instant Pot to "Sauté" mode and add a small amount of olive oil. Sauté the diced onions, carrots, and celery for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften and become fragrant.
- Add the rinsed split peas, vegetable or chicken broth, thyme, salt, and pepper to the Instant Pot. Stir to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Close the Instant Pot lid, set the valve to "Sealing" position, and switch to "Manual" or "Pressure Cook" mode on high pressure for 15 minutes.
- Once cooking is complete, allow natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then carefully perform a quick release for any remaining pressure.
- Open the lid and use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup, creating a creamy texture while leaving some vegetable chunks for added texture.
- Stir in the heavy cream, adjusting seasoning with additional salt and pepper to taste.
- Let the soup rest for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld and cream to incorporate fully.
- Serve hot, optionally garnished with fresh herbs, croutons, or a drizzle of cream.
Tips
- Rinse Your Split Peas: Always rinse the split peas thoroughly to remove any debris or stones. This step is crucial for achieving a clean and pleasant flavor in your soup.
- Uniform Vegetable Cuts: Dice your onion, carrots, and celery into uniform small pieces. This ensures even cooking and a consistent texture throughout the soup.
- Sauté for Flavor: Don’t skip the sautéing step! Cooking the vegetables in olive oil before adding the broth enhances their flavors and adds depth to your soup.
- Natural Pressure Release: Allowing the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 10 minutes helps the flavors meld beautifully and prevents splattering when you do a quick release.
- Texture Preference: For a creamier soup, blend it more thoroughly with an immersion blender. If you prefer some texture, blend just half of the soup to keep some vegetable chunks intact.
- Adjust Seasoning: After adding the heavy cream, taste your soup and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. This step is key to achieving the perfect flavor balance.
- Garnish for Presentation: Serve your soup hot and consider garnishing with fresh herbs, croutons, or a drizzle of cream for an appealing presentation that will impress your guests!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 280kcal
Carbohydrates: 30g
Protein: 15g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 40mg
