Are you ready to transform your ordinary weeknight meal into a flavor explosion? This Instant Pot Split Pea Chorizo Soup is about to become your new obsession! Imagine a hearty, rich soup that combines the smoky, spicy kick of chorizo with creamy split peas, all prepared in under an hour with minimal effort. Perfect for those craving a Mexican-inspired comfort dish that will warm your soul and tantalize your taste buds, this recipe is a game-changer that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 40 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
Cuisine: Mexican
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb chorizo sausage
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 cups split peas
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Remove chorizo from its casing and crumble the sausage into small pieces.
- Set Instant Pot to Sauté mode and heat for 2 minutes. Add crumbled chorizo and cook until browned and releasing its oils, approximately 5-6 minutes.
- Add chopped onions, diced carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté with chorizo for 3-4 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
- Stir in split peas, cumin, salt, and pepper, ensuring ingredients are well combined.
- Pour chicken broth into the pot, scraping any browned bits from the bottom to prevent burning.
- Close Instant Pot lid, set valve to sealing position, and select Manual/Pressure Cook mode. Cook on high pressure for 25 minutes.
- Allow natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then carefully quick release remaining pressure.
- Open lid and stir soup thoroughly. If soup appears too thick, add additional chicken broth to reach desired consistency.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Ladle into bowls and serve hot, optionally garnishing with fresh chopped parsley or a dollop of sour cream.
Tips
- Choose Quality Chorizo: Select fresh, high-quality chorizo for the most robust flavor. The sausage's oils will infuse the entire soup with delicious spices.
- Don't Skip Browning: Take time to properly brown the chorizo and sauté the vegetables. This step builds deep, complex flavors that make the soup extraordinary.
- Liquid Consistency Matters: Have extra chicken broth on hand to adjust the soup's thickness. Split peas absorb a lot of liquid, so you might need to add more after cooking.
- Natural Pressure Release: Allow a 10-minute natural pressure release to help the split peas cook evenly and become perfectly tender.
- Garnish Creatively: Enhance the soup's presentation and flavor with fresh herbs like parsley, a dollop of sour cream, or even crispy tortilla strips.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: This soup tastes even better the next day, so don't hesitate to prepare it in advance for meal prep or easy leftovers.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 22g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 45mg
