Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup
Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup with sausage is such a classic soup recipe, and while this cooks your house will smell great! And this version of split pea soup has a lot of sausage, so this recipe has only about 15 net carbs per serving!
Pin the Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup to try it later!
I’ve had a life-long attraction to split pea soup, even though I don’t remember my mother ever making it when I was a kid. Not only do I love the creamy flavor of the split peas, but this type of soup is about as budget-friendly as you can get, and this Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup with sausage is a healthy dinner that can cook all day while you’re at work.
And even though some people don’t like the looks of this type of soup, having soup cooking all day and enjoying it on a cold winter night is definitely a beautiful thing.
I love using sausage in this slow cooker split pea soup recipe, and any type of chicken or turkey sausage will work. If you’re starting this in the morning to cook all day while you’re working you can do the browning of the sausage and onions the night before and keep them in the fridge overnight. Then throw everything in the slow cooker the next morning and turn it on and dinner will be handled!
What ingredients do you need for this recipe?
(This is only a list of ingredients; please scroll down for complete printable recipe. Or if you use the JUMP TO RECIPE link at the top of the page, it will take you directly to the complete recipe.)
- dried green split peas
- Roasted Garlic Chicken Sausage (or other sausage, see notes)
- onion
- carrots
- homemade chicken stock, or canned chicken broth (affiliate link)
- Goya Ham Flavor Concentrate (affiliate link), optional, but it does add a lot of flavor
- salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
What sausage can you use for this Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup?
I’ve made this recipe most often with pre-cooked chicken sausage that I dice into bite-sized pieces and brown in a frying pan before I add it to the slow cooker. But any turkey or chicken sausage you like the flavor of will work for this recipe. I think turkey breakfast sausage would be delicious if you like the idea of a browned and crumbled sausage instead of small pieces of sausage. Experiment with different sausage options and see which one you like best.
What other meat can you use in the Split Pea Soup?
You can definitely use a pound of diced ham to replace the sausage in this slow cooker split pea soup recipe. People also use diced corned beef, cooked diced chicken, or cooked ground beef in this type of soup.
How can you make lower-carb Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup?
I used carrots for a pop of color and flavor, but if you replace the carrots with diced red bell pepper you can make an even lower lower-carb version of this soup that’s going to be equally delicious.
What size Slow Cooker did I use?
I used the 6 Quart Ninja Cooker (affiliate link) for this soup, but any 4-5 quart slow cooker would work.
How to Make Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup:
(This is only a summary of the steps for the recipe; please scroll down for complete printable recipe. Or if you use the JUMP TO RECIPE link at the top of the page, it will take you directly to the complete recipe.)
- For the type of pre-cooked chicken sausage I used, cut the sausage into fourths lengthwise and then into bite sized pieces and brown the sausage in a non-stick pan. You might need a little oil, depending on yoru pan.
- Put the browned sausage in the slow cooker.
- Then brown the onions and add them to the slow cooker.
- Add two cups green split peas, chopped carrots, chicken stock or broth, water, and a packet of Goya Ham Flavor Concentrate (affiliate link) and let the soup cook 8 hours low or 4 hours on high.
- When split peas have disintegrated, check the consistency and add a little water to the soup if desired.
- Season with salt and fresh-ground black pepper and enjoy!
More Tasty and Budget-Friendly Crockpot Soups:
- Slow Cooker Ground Turkey Soup
- Slow Cooker Bean Soup with Ham, Spinach, and Thyme
- Slow Cooker Greek Lentil Soup
Weekend Food Prep:
This recipe for Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup has been added to a category called Weekend Food Prep where you’ll find recipes you can prep or cook on the weekend and eat during the week!
Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup
It might not win any beauty contests, but this Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup that uses sausage is so tasty and this is easy to make! And this tasty soup has only about 15 net carbs per serving.
Ingredients
- 2 cups dried green split peas (do not need soaking)
- 4 links Aidells Roasted Garlic Chicken Sausage (or use another type of sausage)
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 1/2 cups chopped carrots
- 4 cups chicken broth (see notes)
- 2 cups water
- 1 packet Goya Ham Flavored Concentrate (optional, but it does add a lot of flavor)
- salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cut sausage lengthwise into fourths, then slice the strips into pieces about 1/2 inch square.
- Brown the sausage in a non-stick pan, stirring occasionally, until sausage pieces are well-browned on all sides, about ten minutes. I didn’t need to add any oil with my Green Pan (affiliate link). If you use a different pan, you might need a bit of olive oil.
- Put browned sausage into crockpot, then brown the chopped onions in the fat left in the pan from the sausage, about five minutes.
- Add browned onions to crockpot, then add split peas, chopped carrots, chicken stock, water, and ham flavored concentrate (affiliate link) if using.
- Cover crockpot and cook on low for 8 hours. If I’m home I usually stir once or twice, but it’s not essential. (You can also cook on high for about 4 hours if you prefer.)
- When all the split peas are disintegrated into the soup, check the consistency to see if you want to add more water. (I added about 2/3 cup more water.)
- Season to taste with salt and fresh ground black pepper, and serve hot.
- This soup will keep at least a week in the refrigerator, and it also freezes well.
Notes
I love to use homemade chicken stock, but canned broth or chicken stock from a carton is fine.
I used the 6 Quart Ninja Cooker (affiliate link) for this soup, but any 4-5 quart slow cooker would work.
Recipe created by Kalyn.Â
Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 174Total Fat 3gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 2gCholesterol 29mgSodium 1042mgCarbohydrates 22gFiber 7gSugar 6gProtein 15g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated by the Recipe Plug-In I am using. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee 100% accuracy, since many variables affect those calculations.
Low-Carb Diet / Low-Glycemic Diet / South Beach Diet Suggestions:
Split peas aren’t especially low in carbs, but they do have fiber and this Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup has a generous amount of sausage for 15 net carbs per serving. For a lower-carb version, replace carrots with red bell pepper. Since the soup includes carrots, it would be a phase two option for the original South Beach Diet. (The version with red bell pepper would work for Phase One of South Beach.)
Find More Recipes Like This One:
Use Soup Recipes to find more recipes like this one. Use the Diet Type Index to find recipes suitable for a specific eating plan. You might also like to follow Kalyn’s Kitchen on Pinterest, on Facebook, on Instagram, on TikTok, or on YouTube to see all the good recipes I’m sharing there.
Historical Notes for this Recipe:
This Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup recipe was posted in 2008. It was last updated with a lower-carb option in 2022 and updated again with more information in 2024.
22 Comments on “Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup”
When making this soup with the dryer split peas do you have to soak the peas first?
No, split peas don’t need to be soaked! Hope you enjoy the soup.
Since I haven't tried it I can't tell you exactly when to add the barley. I don't think it would be done in an hour, and personally I'd probably add it about half way through the cooking time, but that's only a guess. I googled a few recipes and they all seem to add it right at the beginning.
Could you add barley to this? If yes, with the other ingredients or when their is a hour left to cook?
I loved this, Kalyn! I used half brown lentils and half split peas, I really enjoyed the combination. Thanks for another great, easy recipe.
Rhonda, so glad you liked it. I’m not surprised this would be a hard sell with a 3 year old! Good to know that kielbasa would work too.
This recipe is delicious! I made it last week with kielbasa rather than chicken sausage, which I couldn’t find.
My husband and 10 year old daughter liked it. The 3 year old wasn’t completely sold, but that’s ok. She helped dump ingredients in the crockpot and stir.
It was so yummy…just like grandma’s!
Hey Kalyn,
I just bought everything to make this sometime next week. I was surprised to find the Goya ham flavored concentrate at my Super Walmart. I can’t wait to make it.
Very beautiful soup, Kalyn. I’m not overly fond of split peas, but the rest of your ingredients are calling to me!
Wow. this soup looks yummy. Thanks for sharing
kalyn..the pressure cooker(thank’s for the name, I didn’t know what the name was in english.) is one of those must-have.
I use it very very often..
thank’s for the recipe..I love of all kinds of legumes!
thanks for passing by
have a nice week, and see you soon
bacioniii
This is perfect timing, I have never had split pea soup, and I’ve been wanting to try it.
I love split soup so you get no argument from me here.
It’s truly a meal.
Tanna, me too! I know there are some (misguided) people who don’t like it though.
Maria, I’m really going to try using mine more this winter.
Maris, it’s my very talented brother Rand who makes the headers. He’s a great designer.
This looks really great! I like chicken sausage in soups/stews/sauces.
I love your new header, also!
I have been in a soup mood lately!! I need to get out my slow cooker. I always forget about it!
No problem Kalyn, I love split pea soup! Now I really want to get back with my slow cooker!
Lydia, great idea to add some extra flavor with barbecue for those who don’t eat ham.
SusanV, I’m thinking this will be one of the first things I’ll try in my pressure cooker. I Love split pea soup of every type!
Susy, I like to make ham stock too. Only problem, I don’t buy ham that often.
Tamara, that sounds good.
Mmm, a yummy recipe and so cozy for a cold, rainy day. You could also gild the daisy (split peas really don’t qualify as lilies, so what?) with a dollop of sour cream sprinkled with smoked paprika…
Tamara at BuzzFood
Looks delicious. I make ham stock from holiday ham bones and then use that, or chicken stock. I’ll have to add split peas to my grocery list.
What a coincidence–I made split pea soup yesterday, in my pressure cooker, and took it to a potluck lunch where it disappeared in a matter of minutes. It really is an inexpensive dish, and using energy saving appliances like the crockpot of pressure cooker make it even more frugal. I’m glad to hear that you’re adding a special section just for these recipes!
In place of the ham concentrate, I’ll use a few plops of smoky barbecue sauce. Gives the same flavor, and a bit of thickness, for those of us who are not ham people. Thanks for the encouragement to get out my slow cooker!