Description
A traditional Swedish comfort food made with yellow split peas, root vegetables, and often flavored with pork or smoked meat. Hearty, warming, and perfect for cold days.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 2 cups dried yellow split peas
- 8 cups water
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 1 parsnip, diced (optional)
- 1 smoked ham hock or 200g (7 oz) diced smoked pork (optional for vegetarian version)
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon mustard (Swedish-style or Dijon, for serving)
Instructions
- Rinse yellow split peas under cold water and drain.
- In a large pot, combine peas, water, and ham hock or pork (if using). Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
- Skim off any foam that forms on the surface.
- Add chopped onion, carrots, parsnip (if using), bay leaf, and thyme.
- Simmer uncovered for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until peas break down and soup thickens.
- Remove ham hock, shred the meat, and return it to the pot (if used).
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Serve hot with a dollop of mustard and rye bread on the side.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit the pork and use vegetable broth instead of water for extra flavor.
- Soup can be blended for a smoother texture, though traditionally it’s served chunky.
- Tastes even better the next day after flavors have developed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1 1/2 cups)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 12g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 25mg