Can you tell I’m a little (ok, maybe a lot) jazzed up about my Instant Pot right now!! Yep here’s another recipe for ya using the mighty Instant Pot! But for the record, just because I used the IP in this recipe for Split Pea Soup doesn’t mean that the soup can’t also be cooked on the stove top or in the crock pot, it’s just that those methods take more time! Which is generally not my goal..
There are sooooooo many recipes out there for Spilt Pea soup, I know cause I’ve looked! But what I really like about MY recipe is that was able to get the slight smokey and savory ham flavor without needing to use an actual leftover ham hock. Because honestly, unless it’s Easter time, I don’t usually have one of those on hand- do you?? I just diced up some applewood smoked ham slices from the deli. Easy enough. OR, you could leave it out completely if you would prefer to make this soup meatless.
Also what sets this apart from the other recipes I’ve found is the addition of Farro grain in place of potatoes! Farro is an ancient wheat grain, dating all the way back to the times of Mesopotamia (whoa!). Its packed full of fiber, protein, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Sold in the section of the supermarket where you would find rice, barley, quinoa, etc., it’s sold dry and prepared by cooking it in water until it’s soft and chewy. Before it’s cooked it looks similar to wheat berries, but afterward it look more like barley- small, light-brown grain with a noticeable outer layer of bran with a nutty flavor and unique, chewy texture.
And while traditionally a Split Pea soup is made with diced potatoes, I find that potatoes, while admittedly provide a thickening quality, don’t really provide a lot of pizzaz in flavor or texture. Which is what directed me to adding a grain, and Farro was the one of choice!
To make this quick and easy Split Pea soup, I simply diced up the ham, onion, carrots and garlic. Sauteed in the Instant Pot for a few minutes. Added the farro and rinsed split peas, chicken stock, water spices and herbs, sealed and cooked on high pressure for 15 minutes. I let it natural release for about 10 mins before turning the valve to rapid release, and there you have it! A hearty, healthy, cozy and balanced meal that will hopefully become a favorite for you and your family!
also known as a “bouquet garni”, tying herbs together with a string allows flavor to infuse with the soup with having the stems and leaves in the soup 
Instant Pot Split Pea Soup with Farro Grains
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 1 lb dried split green peas rinsed
- 2 cup yellow onion diced
- 1½ cup carrot peeled, diced
- ½ cup ham diced, applewood smoked if possible
- ½ cup farro
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 3 cups water 4 cups, for thinner soup consistency
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 sprig fresh rosemary
- 3 sprig fresh oregano
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Using saute' feature of Instant Pot, heat olive oil and saute ham for about 2 minutes.
- Add onion and carrot and saute for about 5 minutes.
- Add garlic and farro, saute for only about 1 minute. Turn "saute" off.
- Add chicken stock, water, split peat, salt and pepper, and tied herbs to instant pot.
- Seal and close to cover. Press "soup" button and let cook.
- When feature has ended, let natural release for 10-15 minutes.
Nutrition
If you like this recipe, try my recipe for : INSTANT POT BLACK BEANS or INSTANT POT CHILI- BIG FLAVOR, LITTLE EFFORT!
