Green Split Pea Smoked Turkey (Printable View)

Hearty, flavorful meal featuring green split peas and smoked turkey leg cooked to tender perfection.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 smoked turkey leg (approximately 1 lb)

→ Legumes

02 - 2 cups dried green split peas, rinsed and sorted

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 medium carrots, diced
05 - 2 celery stalks, diced
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 bay leaf

→ Liquids

08 - 8 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth

→ Spices & Seasonings

09 - 1 tsp dried thyme
10 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
11 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
12 - Salt, to taste

→ Optional Garnishes

13 - Chopped fresh parsley
14 - Croutons

# Cooking Steps:

01 - In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat a splash of oil over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in garlic, thyme, black pepper, and smoked paprika (if using). Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add the rinsed split peas, smoked turkey leg, bay leaf, and broth. Stir to combine.
04 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
05 - Remove the lid and continue to simmer for another 30 minutes, or until the peas are tender and the soup is thickened.
06 - Remove the turkey leg. Discard bay leaf. Shred the meat from the bone, discarding skin and bone, then return the meat to the pot.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning with salt if needed. For a smoother texture, partially blend the soup with an immersion blender.
08 - Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley or croutons if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The smoked turkey leg infuses the entire soup with incredible depth without needing a ham hock or bacon
  • It makes enough for six generous servings and tastes even better the next day
02 -
  • The soup thickens considerably as it cools, so don't panic if it seems thinner than expected when hot
  • Letting it rest overnight in the refrigerator allows flavors to marry and develop beautifully
03 -
  • Sort through split peas before rinsing, tiny stones love to hide in there
  • If the soup gets too thick, add hot water or broth rather than cold liquid to maintain temperature

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