Introduction:

A warm, hearty and nourishing bowl of split pea soup on a chilly day is the epitome of comfort food. Thanks to the Instant Pot, you can now enjoy this classic dish with much less effort and time. In this article, we will walk you through the best Instant Pot Split Pea Soup recipe that is not only delicious but also easy to make.

Ingredients:

– 1 pound dried green split peas, rinsed and drained

– 2 tablespoons olive oil

– 1 medium onion, diced

– 2 carrots, peeled and diced

– 3 celery stalks, diced

– 3 cloves garlic, minced

– 4 cups vegetable broth

– 2 cups water

– 1 bay leaf

– 1 teaspoon dried thyme

– Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional (for a non-vegetarian version):

– 1 smoked ham hock or bone

Instructions:

1. Turn on your Instant Pot and select the ‘Sauté’ mode. Add olive oil and allow it to heat up for a minute.

2. Add diced onion, carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes or until the vegetables are softened.

3. If using a ham hock or bone, add it in the pot now.

4. Add rinsed and drained split peas to the pot along with vegetable broth, water, bay leaf, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Give it all a good stir to combine.

5. Close the lid of your Instant Pot and seal the vent. Select ‘Pressure Cook’ or ‘Manual’ mode at high pressure for 15 minutes.

6. Once the cooking time is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for about 10 minutes before conducting a quick release by carefully opening the vent.

7. After the pressure is fully released, open the lid and carefully remove the bay leaf and ham hock (if used). If you used a ham hock, shred the meat from the bone, discard the bone and any excess fat, and return shredded ham to the pot.

8. Stir well, taste, and adjust seasoning as needed.

9. Serve your Instant Pot Split Pea Soup hot, garnished with fresh parsley or croutons if desired.

Conclusion:

This Instant Pot Split Pea Soup recipe is not only fast and easy but also nourishing and flavorful. With ingredients that are easily accessible and an appliance that practically does the cooking for you, this is definitely one of the best Instant Pot recipes to have in your repertoire. Enjoy a bowl of this delightful soup with some crusty bread for a satisfying meal!