Hearty Slow Cooker Pea and Ham Soup

Name: Hearty Slow Cooker Pea and Ham Soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 390 min
Total time: 400 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 450 g cooked ham; 750 g fresh or frozen peas; 250 g leeks, sliced; 1 onion, chopped; 1.5 l hot low-salt vegetable stock; 2 bay leaves

A vibrant and comforting classic that practically cooks itself. This protein-rich soup combines tender shredded ham with sweet garden peas for a satisfying meal that's perfect for chilly days and easy meal prep.

Servings8 Portions

Prep Time10 Mins

Cook Time390 Mins

Difficulty

Easy

Ingredients

cooked ham
450 g
fresh or frozen peas
750 g
leeks, sliced
250 g
onion, chopped
1
hot low-salt vegetable stock
1.5 l
bay leaves
2

Step-by-Step Instructions

Place the chopped onion, sliced leeks, bay leaves, and the whole piece of cooked ham into the slow cooker. Pour in the hot vegetable stock, cover with the lid, and cook on High for 2 hours or on Low for 6 hours.

Carefully remove the ham from the slow cooker and set it aside on a cutting board. Add the peas to the slow cooker, cover, and continue cooking on High for another 30 minutes until the peas are completely tender.

While the peas are finishing, shred the ham into bite-sized pieces using two forks. If the ham has cooled sufficiently, you can also do this by hand.

Remove and discard the bay leaves. Use an immersion blender to blitz the soup until smooth and creamy. Alternatively, transfer the mixture to a stand blender in batches to process.

Taste the soup and season with salt and pepper as needed. Divide the hot soup into bowls and top each serving with a generous handful of the shredded ham.

Chef's Tips

If you prefer a chunkier texture, only blend half of the soup. For those using an uncooked gammon joint instead of pre-cooked ham, simply add 45 minutes to the High setting or 2 hours to the Low setting during the first stage of cooking. This soup (without the ham) freezes perfectly for up to three months.