If you’re craving a cozy, hearty meal that warms you from the inside out, this Swedish Yellow Pea Soup Recipe is an absolute must-try. It’s a classic staple from Sweden that transforms humble yellow peas into a creamy, flavorful bowl brimming with comforting aromas of thyme and smoked ham. This soup is the essence of simple ingredients elevated through slow cooking, perfect for chilly evenings or whenever you need a soothing, nutritious dish that feels like a warm hug in a bowl.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Swedish Yellow Pea Soup Recipe plays a vital role, creating a harmony of flavors and textures. These simple pantry staples come together to build a soup that is both rich and satisfying, with the yellow peas providing an earthy base, while the ham adds depth and a subtle smoky punch.
- 2 cups dried yellow peas: The star of the dish, these peas create the soup’s creamy texture when cooked down.
- 1 onion, chopped: Adds a sweet, savory base flavor that gently caramelizes during simmering.
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced: Bring a hint of natural sweetness and vibrant color.
- 2 celery stalks, chopped: Offer fresh, aromatic undertones that balance the soup.
- 1 ham bone or 2 cups cooked ham, diced: Infuse smoky, meaty richness essential for authentic taste.
- 1 bay leaf: Introduces a subtle herbal fragrance.
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme: Provides a fragrant, woodsy note that complements the peas and ham.
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper: Adds gentle warmth and spice.
- 8 cups water or chicken broth: Creates the flavorful cooking liquid that ties everything together.
- 1 tablespoon mustard (for serving): A tangy finishing touch that brightens each spoonful.
- Salt to taste: Essential for bringing all flavors into perfect balance.
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish): Adds a fresh, colorful pop on top.
How to Make Swedish Yellow Pea Soup Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Peas and Vegetables
Begin by carefully rinsing and sorting the yellow peas to remove any debris – a crucial step to ensure a smooth, clean soup. Toss them into a large pot along with the onion, carrots, celery, the ham bone or diced ham, bay leaf, thyme, black pepper, and your liquid of choice, whether water or chicken broth. This combination of ingredients sets the foundation for the soup’s deep, comforting flavor.
Step 2: Bring to a Boil and Simmer Slowly
Crank the heat up to medium-high and bring everything to a roaring boil. Once boiling, immediately reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Patience is key here – let the soup gently simmer for about 1.5 to 2 hours until the peas become tender and start to break apart, creating a naturally thick and creamy texture without any cream or flour needed.
Step 3: Incorporate the Ham Meat
If you’re using a ham bone, carefully remove it once the peas are tender. Pick off any meat still clinging to the bone, shred it finely, and stir it back into the soup to infuse it with even more flavor and tender chunks of smoky ham. If diced ham was your choice, simply stir it in now to warm through.
Step 4: Final Seasoning Touches
Discard the bay leaf and taste your soup, then add salt as needed. This is your chance to balance the flavors perfectly. Remember, the smoky ham adds saltiness, so start with a little and adjust slowly.
Step 5: Serve with a Bold Kick
Ladle the soup into bowls and add a dollop of mustard on top. This tangy addition might just become your favorite finishing touch, cutting through the richness beautifully. Add a sprinkle of fresh parsley for color and freshness, and you’re ready to dig in!
How to Serve Swedish Yellow Pea Soup Recipe
Garnishes
Besides the classic dollop of mustard and parsley, you can experiment with a swirl of sour cream or a sprinkle of crispy bacon bits to add texture and extra layers of flavor. Freshly ground black pepper is always a welcome finishing touch to give the soup a petite kick.
Side Dishes
Serve this soup alongside traditional thin Swedish pancakes or a rustic rye bread to soak up every delicious drop. Pickled vegetables or a simple crisp salad provide a refreshing contrast, balancing the richness.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the soup in small bread bowls for a charming presentation perfect for gatherings. You could also top it with a fried egg or melt some cheese on toast on the side for extra indulgence.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This Swedish Yellow Pea Soup Recipe keeps exceptionally well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Store it in airtight containers to preserve its vibrant flavors and creamy texture.
Freezing
It also freezes beautifully. Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving some room for expansion. You can enjoy a comforting bowl whenever you need it – just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
When reheating, do so gently on the stove over low heat to prevent scorching. Stir occasionally as the soup warms and adjust seasoning if needed, since flavors can sometimes mellow after freezing.
FAQs
Can I use fresh peas instead of dried yellow peas?
Fresh peas don’t have the same texture or properties as dried yellow peas and won’t provide the creamy consistency this soup is known for. Using dried yellow peas is best to achieve the authentic texture and flavor.
Is it possible to make this soup vegetarian or vegan?
Absolutely! Simply omit the ham and ham bone, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Adding smoked paprika can help mimic the smoky flavor that ham imparts.
Can I speed up the cooking time?
You could use a pressure cooker or Instant Pot to cut down the cooking time significantly, usually to about 30-40 minutes. However, slow simmering enriches the flavor, so patience really pays off here.
Why is mustard served with Swedish Yellow Pea Soup?
The mustard adds a bright, tangy contrast to the rich, hearty soup and heightens the overall flavor experience. It’s a traditional accompaniment that balances the creamy texture with a little zing.
What if my soup is too thick or too thin?
If too thick, simply stir in a bit more water or broth to reach your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, continue simmering uncovered to reduce and thicken or blend some of the soup and mix it back in.
Final Thoughts
This Swedish Yellow Pea Soup Recipe is a real treasure that brings warmth, comfort, and authentic flavor to your table with minimal fuss. Whether you’re a fan of traditional Scandinavian cuisine or simply love a hearty, wholesome meal, this soup is sure to become a beloved favorite. I encourage you to give it a try and experience the magic of slow-cooked yellow peas infused with smoky ham and aromatic herbs. Trust me, once you taste it, you’ll be hooked!
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Swedish Yellow Pea Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Swedish
Description
Swedish Yellow Pea Soup is a comforting and hearty traditional dish made with dried yellow peas, vegetables, and ham. This slow-simmered soup features a rich, savory broth infused with thyme and black pepper, finished with a tangy dollop of mustard and optional fresh parsley garnish. Perfect for chilly days, this protein-packed soup serves 6 to 8 people and is ideal as a warming lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups dried yellow peas, rinsed and sorted
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 ham bone or 2 cups cooked ham, diced
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 8 cups water or chicken broth
- Salt to taste
For Serving
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Rinse and sort the yellow peas to remove any debris. This ensures your soup will have a clean texture and no unwanted particles.
- Combine in Pot: In a large pot, add the yellow peas, water or chicken broth, chopped onion, diced carrots, chopped celery, ham bone or diced ham, bay leaf, dried thyme, and ground black pepper. Stir to combine.
- Cook Soup: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours. Cook until the peas are tender and have mostly broken apart, creating a thick stew-like consistency.
- Remove Ham Bone: If you used a ham bone, take it out of the pot once the peas are tender. Remove any meat from the bone, shred it finely, and stir it back into the soup. If you used diced ham instead, simply stir it in now.
- Season Soup: Taste the soup and add salt as needed. Remove and discard the bay leaf used during cooking.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Add a dollop of mustard on top for a tangy contrast, and sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley if desired. For a traditional accompaniment, serve with thin pancakes on the side.
Notes
- Using a ham bone adds a deep, smoky flavor to the soup, but diced cooked ham works well for convenience.
- Simmering the soup slowly over low heat helps the peas break down and thicken the broth naturally.
- Mustard is a traditional condiment for Swedish yellow pea soup and adds a nice tanginess—feel free to adjust quantity to taste.
- This soup freezes well, making it great for meal prep or leftovers.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the ham and use vegetable broth instead.
- Optional thin pancakes, commonly called ‘pannkakor’ in Sweden, complement the soup beautifully if you want a full traditional meal.
