Easy Vegetarian Split Pea Soup is actually a vegan recipe for the classic, comforting dish but without the bacon. Budget-friendly and dairy-free, with 2 core ingredients, then just add your favorite seasonings.
This budget-friendly pea soup is a versatile, satisfying dish perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or a simple, nourishing lunch.
It’s as delicious on cold winter days as it is during the rest of the year.
And this soup is customizable. Add any cooked veggies that you want and season to your own taste.
It’s terrific with crutons or with a baguette on the side.
Make it ahead and reheated whenever you’re ready to eat.
And since this recipe is made without bacon, it’s pork-free.
And peas are nutritious!
Some cooking terms:
What does it mean when recipes say “to taste” about an ingredient?
When recipes say “to taste,” it means that you can put in as little or as much as you like to your own taste. Some recipes have many ingredients that a cook can adjust to their own taste when cooking (not so much when baking though).
The best way to calculate what your taste is with a recipe that you are not yet familiar with is to first taste the dish and then add the “to taste” ingredient GRADUALLY, a little at a time—a splash of this or a pinch of that—until the dish is just the way you like it.
Make sure to stir the ingredient after each time you add it so that the flavor will distribute evenly and become part of the dish. Then taste again. Repeat until you reach your personal preference.
Note: If you plan on using the recipe again, it is highly recommended to make a note of what and how much you added so that you can refer to it next time.
What does it mean when a recipe says that an ingredient is “optional”?
If an ingredient is “optional,” it means that you can add it in or not based on your own preference. An optional ingredient can be flavor-related (i.e., salty, sweet, spicy, etc.), appearance-related (garnish), or even something like nuts or chocolate chips in baking.
What does “savory” mean?
“Savory” refers to foods that are not sweet, such as foods that taste salty, spicy, or herbal.
What does “sauté” mean?
To sauté means to cook quickly in a small amount of oil or fat in a frying pan on a relatively high heat that causes a slight browning of the food on the outside.
What does “boil” mean?
Boiling is cooking food submerged in water hot enough to have rapid, rolling bubbles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Easy Vegetarian Split Pea Soup
What is vegetarian split pea soup?
This classic, comforting soup is a hearty, plant-based meal made traditionally with split peas and vegetables, crafted here as a vegan recipe without the bacon.
Is this split pea soup pork-free?
Yes, this recipe is completely pork-free and made without bacon, making it a great meatless option.
How many ingredients are in this soup?
It features 2 core ingredients for the base, making it budget-friendly and simple, with room to add your favorite seasonings and cooked vegetables.
Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Yes, this soup makes an excellent make-ahead meal that can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer and easily reheated when you are ready to eat.
What can I serve with vegetarian split pea soup?
It is terrific served with homemade croutons or a crusty French baguette on the side for dipping.
Is this split pea soup dairy-free?
Yes, this budget-friendly soup is naturally dairy-free and vegan-friendly.
Everyday pantry essentials to keep in your kitchen (suggested)
I have found that having ingredient “essentials” on hand in my kitchen saves me time and allows me to make a large variety of dishes with little notice.
Seasoning and flavoring:
- salt (my recipes use regular table salt)
- ground black or white pepper
- granulated garlic or garlic powder (I prefer granulated)
- onion powder
- sweet paprika and/or sweet pepper flakes (paprika is ground dried red pepper, pepper flakes are crushed dried red pepper)
- hot paprika, hot pepper flakes, or cayenne pepper (moderately spicy dried ground chili pepper) for those occasional spicy dishes
- ground turmeric
- ground cumin
- ground cinnamon
- ground ginger
- ground nutmeg
- ground cloves (for pumpkin flavors)
- sugar (granulated)
- brown sugar
- chicken consommé powder / beef bouillon powder (regular or vegetarian)
- onion soup mix
- onion flakes (substitute for fresh onion—3 tablespoons for 1 medium onion).
- various herbs
- additional spices to adapt taste to preference
Misc:
- oil / margarine / butter / cooking spray
- coconut cream as a dairy-free cream substitute
- flavorless milk substitute as a dairy-free milk alternative
- cornstarch as a thickening agent
- flour
- baking powder
- baking soda
- bread crumbs or cornflake crumbs (you can make these with your blender or food processor) for coating
- condiments, such as ketchup, mustard, barbecue sauce
- tomato sauce/tomato paste/canned tomatoes—diced or crushed/pasta sauce
- soy sauce (makes a great flavoring for savory foods)
- ready-made pie crusts and dough (to just add filling)
We always have eggs in the fridge and onions, rice, and potatoes on our shelves, as well as pasta.
In addition, having some fresh vegetables in the fridge, such as carrots, celery, tomatoes, bell peppers (various colors), etc., can be very useful when putting together a quick but delicious meal.
What is actually needed to have on hand to make this creamy vegetarian potato soup?
1.5 cups of split peas
vegetarian/vegan chicken consommé powder
(seasonings/spices, optional, as desired)
Love soup?
Try these:
- Easy Israeli Vegetable Soup
- Easy Vegetarian French Onion Soup
- Vegetarian Egg Drop Soup
- Easy Barley Beef Soup
- Creamy Vegetarian Potato Soup
Easy Vegetarian Split Pea Soup Recipe
Simple, savory, and delicious 2-core-ingredient split pea soup without the bacon.
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups of split peas
- 1-2 tablespoons vegetarian/vegan chicken consommé powder or to taste *
- 4 cups water *
- Other spices to taste, if desired (such as pepper)
Instructions
- Place split peas, consomme powder, and water in a pot.
- Boil until peas are very soft and the water has become a thick soup (approximately 1/2 an hour or as per instructions on package).
- Place in blender and blend until smooth (optional)
Notes
* Instead of water and vegetarian chicken consomme powder, you can use 4 cups of flavorful broth. Or just add salt.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 102Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 49mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 7gSugar: 2gProtein: 8g