Easy Split Pea soup is a hearty, one pot meal full of vegetables and leftover ham that will keep you warm this winter.
Place a soup pot on the stove over medium heat and add olive oil, heating for about 1-2 minutes. Add the diced carrots, onion, and celery (you can add each one as you dice it) and stir.
Allow the vegetables to cook for 3-4 minutes, and then add the ham, and stir again. Sauté for another 5-6 minutes. Add the garlic, split peas, chicken broth, water, about 1/2 teaspoon of salt and a few sprinkles of pepper, and stir. Reduce the heat to medium low and cover, stirring every 5-10 minutes.
If reheating leftovers, add more water to achieve desired consistency.
You can substitute all water for the chicken broth, or use vegetable broth instead.
To make this in the Instant Pot: Complete steps 1 and 2 in the Instant Pot, instead of on the stove. After you have added the split peas and liquid, seal the pot, and set the timer for 13 minutes on high pressure. When the timer goes off, allow natural pressure release for about 7-8 minutes, and then carefully manually release the remaining pressure. Stir, and add more liquid, if desired.