Split pea soup is warm and tasty, perfect for when its cold outside. Its made with peas and sometimes ham. But what else can you eat with it?.
Here are 18 great side dishes that go well with this soup. They add different tastes and make your meal even more enjoyable.
Sweet potato fries, kale chips, rosemary bread, pizza bagels, potato rosti, biscuits, potato salad, zucchini carrot bread, crispy chicken drumsticks, garlic bread, beet salad, shredded chicken, and honey-glazed carrots are some of the best side dishes that go with split pea soup.
Pea and ham soup is a classic comfort food that warms you up on cold days. This hearty soup filled with peas, ham, and vegetables makes a satisfying meal on its own. However, pairing it with a tasty side dish or two can really take your pea and ham soup over the top!
In this article, we’ll explore 18 delicious side dish ideas that complement pea and ham soup perfectly. Whether you’re looking for something crunchy, creamy, crispy, or hearty, you’ll find plenty of options to make your pea and ham soup meal complete.
Savory Breads
Warm, crusty bread is one of the most classic accompaniments for any soup. The crunch and savoriness of bread provides great contrast to the soft, stew-like texture of pea and ham soup Here are some excellent bread side dishes to consider
French Bread
A crusty baguette, sliced French bread, or breadsticks are simple yet perfect for dipping into your creamy soup. The crispy exterior and soft, chewy interior make French bread an ideal match.
Croutons
Homemade croutons are super easy to make by cubing day-old bread and toasting the pieces in the oven with oil or butter Sprinkle them with Parmesan, rosemary, or other herbs/spices for extra flavor The crunch of croutons adds delicious texture.
Garlic Bread
Warm, garlicky, and buttery this classic complements most soups wonderfully. Rub sliced bread with a garlic clove and spread with butter or brush with olive oil before toasting. The rich aromatic flavor pairs nicely with pea and ham soup.
Cheese Bread
For an extra indulgent pairing, try a slice of freshly baked cheese bread. Asiago, cheddar, and Parmesan all work well. The nutty, savory cheese flavor is the perfect match for a bowl of hearty soup.
Hearty Starches
Pea and ham soup tastes fantastic alongside starchy sides that add comforting flavor and calories. Potatoes, rice, pasta, and more make great additions.
Mashed Potatoes
Creamy, smooth mashed potatoes are a classic for a reason. This side dish provides the perfect rich, soothing contrast to pea and ham soup’s brothy consistency.
Potato Salad
A cooling potato salad with a tangy mustard or mayo-based dressing balances the heartiness of pea soup. Diced ham or bacon bits can echo the soup’s smoky flavor.
Mac and Cheese
What’s better than carbs with more carbs? Creamy, cheesy macaroni and cheese is an ultimate comfort food side for pea and ham soup. Together they make a decadent, highly craveable meal.
Rice Pilaf
Rice pilaf adds fluffy, savory grains alongside the soup. Build flavor by sautéing the rice with diced onions, carrots, peas, and seasonings before adding broth.
Egg Noodles
Buttery egg noodles offer a satisfying accompaniment to pea and ham soup, soaking up the rich broth beautifully. Boil then toss noodles with butter or olive oil.
Crispy, Crunchy Sides
For delicious textural contrast, choose a crispy side dish with pea and ham soup. Think fried veggies, chips, crackers, and more.
Sweet Potato Fries
Crisp, seasoned sweet potato fries offer a subtly sweet counterpoint to the soup. They hold up well for dipping too.
Tortilla Chips
Whether plain or loaded with cheese, guacamole, or pico de gallo, tortilla chips add salty crunch and bold flavor next to the soup.
Pita Chips
These crunchy baked pita chips can be store-bought or homemade. Their toasty, cracker-like texture and simplicity make them an easy pairing.
Crackers
Buttery crackers like Ritz provide a crispy, salty accompaniment for the soup. Simple yet satisfying.
Fried Okra
Crunchy breaded okra fries are a fun, Southern-inspired twist. The vegetable flavor complements the soup.
Fresh Vegetable Sides
Bright, fresh vegetables help balance the starchiness of the soup and add nutrients.
Steamed Broccoli
Simple steamed or sautéed broccoli florets provide vitamin C and green color beside the earthy soup. Toss broccoli with lemon and olive oil.
Mixed Greens Salad
A salad with mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, and vinaigrette dressing offers a light, refreshing side for the soup. Top with crunchy croutons.
Roasted Carrots
Sweet, caramelized roasted carrot sticks or coins taste delicious alongside pea and ham soup. Toss carrots with oil, honey, and spices before roasting.
Sauteed Zucchini
Saute zucchini strips in olive oil with garlic and herbs like basil for a quick and easy veggie pairer. The bright flavor complements the soup.
More Hearty Proteins
Boost your soup’s protein content by accompanying it with another protein-packed side like meat or eggs.
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
A crispy, ooey-gooey grilled cheese sandwich dipped in pea soup makes for an ultimate comfort food meal. Use cheddar, Gruyere, or other melty cheese.
Baked Ham
More ham means more porky flavor! Enjoy slices of hot baked ham alongside the soup for a perfectly coordinated meal.
Hard Boiled Eggs
Hard boiled eggs sliced in half offer protein in an easy finger food form. The eggs soak up the broth nicely when dipped in the soup.
Chicken Tenders
Crispy, juicy baked chicken tenders pair nicely with the soup, adding extra meatiness. Season tenders boldly to stand up to the soup’s flavor.
The Perfect Accompaniments
With so many tasty options, it’s easy to find one or more sides that perfectly complement pea and ham soup. Crunchy, crispy sides like croutons, crackers, or fries provide contrasting texture. Starchy sides like bread, potatoes, rice, or pasta add comforting bulk and flavor. Fresh vegetables lend color, nutrients and brightness. And extra proteins like ham, eggs, or chicken give your meal more heartiness.
With a bowl of nourishing pea and ham soup as your base, build a meal that’s as simple or complex as you like by incorporating one or more of these 18 delicious side dish ideas. A well-paired soup and sides meal offers endless possibilities for flavor, nutrition and enjoyment. So grab a loaf of crusty bread or cheesy garlic bread, whip up some potato salad or sweet potato fries, and dive into a bowl of hearty pea and ham soup for ultimate comfort food satisfaction.
Sides For Split Pea Soup
Who doesnt love dipping bread or crackers in their soup? Theres something comforting about it. However, dipping cornbread in your split pea soup is inspired. It’s possible that you’ll eat the whole pan of cornbread in one sitting without even realizing it because it goes so well with the earthiness of split pea soup.
This turns out to be another great use for these sweet potato fries: dip them in split pea soup. Do you have to? No, absolutely not. Should you? Again, no. You enjoy your food any way you want to. Do I really think you should try it? Yes, but I might be biased because I’ve always loved dipping foods into other foods. They go well together because the sweetness of the roasted sweet potatoes goes well with the flavor of the soup. This is true whether you like dipping as much as I do.
Because they are crispy, kale chips go well with a lot of soups and stews, but especially with split pea soup. If the soup is too rich, the slightly bitter kale can help balance it out, making for a tasty and interesting meal.
Rice pilaf is a hearty and flavorful side dish that pairs well with split pea soup. Both are filling on their own, but when served together, they create a more substantial and hearty meal. You can change the flavors of rice pilaf to suit your tastes because it can be seasoned with many different things.
When you pair these creamy mashed potatoes with split pea soup, you have a hearty meal that warms and soothes the soul. Both dishes have a smooth, creamy texture and earthy flavors that make the meal cozy and enjoyable.
Homemade rosemary bread is another great option that goes well with split pea soup and can be used to dip it in. The bread has light hints of rosemary that give the soup a fresh taste and flavor. The bread crust makes the meal crunchy.
To create a flavorful and fulfilling meal, try serving these quick and easy pizza bagels. They are not only a tasty and filling addition to the meal, but they are also a lot of fun and can be made in any way you want. Have some toppings ready, and let everyone build their own pizza bagels to go with their split pea soup.
This tasty potato rosti is a great side to serve with any soup, including split pea soup. The split pea soup is smooth and creamy, which goes well with the crispy outside of the rosti.
Making biscuits is a quick and easy side dish that works well if you don’t have much time or want to put in a lot of work. Biscuits are a side dish that can go with any kind of split pea soup because they can be made in different flavors and styles.
Potato salad is a cool and refreshing side dish that goes well with split pea soup, which is warm and hearty. It can also be a great way to balance out the richness of the soup.
Mac and cheese pizza is a hearty and satisfying side dish that goes well with split pea soup. It can help the meal feel fuller. Additionally, the combination of two unique and flavorful dishes can add variety and excitement to the meal.
When served with split pea soup, zucchini carrot bread is a healthy side dish that adds fiber and vegetables to the meal. In order to make a complete and healthy meal, this can help balance out the rich and creamy soup.
To make your split pea soup more satisfying and filling, add chicken drumsticks. They are a great source of protein. Additionally, you can season the chicken with spices or herbs that complement the soups flavors.
A tasty and filling sandwich is a classic go-to for any soup. This tasty and filling monte cristo sandwich goes great with split pea soup. There is something classic about ham and cheese with split pea soup. The bread’s crispy texture gives the meal a satisfying crunch.
Here’s another way to add some gooey, cheesy goodness to your split pea soup: this tasty, crispy garlic bread. Plus, you can change the bread’s taste by adding different kinds of cheese or herbs to go with the soup.
Beet and arugula salad is a delicious and nutritious side dish to pair with split pea soup. The salad has a slightly bitter and peppery taste that complements the earthy, sweet flavors of the soup. Additionally, it is loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants such as vitamins C, K, folate, and potassium.
Shredded chicken is a light yet satisfying addition to split pea soup. You can add herbs, spices, or even a little lemon to make it taste different. It’s easy to make. The tender strands of chicken add a nice protein boost, making your meal more filling. Its mild flavor doesn’t overpower the soup, but rather complements its heartiness, adding a delightful texture contrast.
Honey glazed carrots are a sweet and savory treat that pairs wonderfully with split pea soup. When you roast carrots with honey, butter, and a little cinnamon, the natural sweetness comes out and the outside gets caramelized. The bright colors and strong flavors of these glazed carrots make your meal more interesting. They go well with the earthy, rich flavor of the soup.
How to Make Easy Split Pea and Ham Soup | Allrecipes
FAQ
Is pea and ham soup good for you?
What can I use to thicken a pea & ham soup?
How many calories in a large bowl of pea and ham soup?
How do you make split pea soup with ham?
Here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make split pea soup with ham at home: Cook the garlic, onions, and celery in butter. Add the split peas, ham, and bay leaf. Stir in the stock and water. Cook until the peas are tender and the soup is thick. Season with salt and pepper.
Can you make split pea and ham soup in a crock pot?
Taste the soup as you go and adjust accordingly. Make this easy, healthy, split pea and ham soup on the stovetop, in the Crock Pot, or in the Instant Pot! In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. When the oil shimmers, add the onion, carrots, celery, garlic (and diced ham or bacon, if using).
How long do you cook Ham & pea soup?
Add the chicken broth, water, chopped ham, split peas, thyme, kosher salt and black pepper. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer and cook for 1 hour or until the peas are tender. If the soup is too thick to your taste, add more chicken broth or water in the last 20 minutes of cooking.
Can you use leftover ham bone in Split pea soup?
Just drain before using. Ham bone: A meaty ham bone serves as the crux of flavor in split pea soup. As the soup cooks, the meat softens and infuses all the good smoky flavor into the soup. You can then pull the meat from the bone and stir it back into the soup. Yup, this is one of those leftover ham recipes that truly uses every scrap!