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    Home » Recipes » Soup

    Smoky Split Pea & Sweet Potato Soup

    Feb 9, 2014 by Kaitlin

    This cozy vegan Split Pea Soup recipe combines creamy sweet potatoes with warm, smoky flavors! It's easy to make and only 7 healthy ingredients. (Vegan, gluten-free, oil-free.)

    Vegan split pea soup with sweet potato in a white bowl

    Nutrient-rich split peas combine with creamy sweet potatoes in this delightful soup.

    It's rather humble-looking, but don't let that deter you because the taste is so smoky, savory, and delicious.

    Plus it's easy to prepare!

    It only requires 7 simple ingredients but it's packed with fiber, protein, iron, and other plant-based goodness.

    Jar of green split peas and sweet potatoes cut in half

    Ingredients for Split Pea Potato Soup

    For this recipe you will need just a few simple ingredients:

    • Split peas: I use green split peas, but yellow split peas work too. We will need two cups split peas for this recipe, which is about a one pound bag.
    • Yellow onion: Or you can use white onion or sweet onion instead.
    • Carrot
    • Sweet potato: You will need two medium sweet potatoes for this recipe.
    • Fresh garlic cloves: Or you can substitute with dried garlic powder.
    • Smoked paprika: Be sure your pantry spices are fresh (not expired) for best flavor.
    • Vegetable broth: Use low sodium broth if preferred.
    Green split peas arranged next to cubed raw sweet potatoes

    Customizing

    Make it spicy: If you like a spicy kick, add a dash of cayenne pepper, chipotle powder, or chipotles in adobo sauce which provide another tasty layer of smokiness. Or you can simply top with your favorite hot sauce to taste before serving.

    Other veggies: Add other vegetables as you see fit. Try celery, spinach, kale, tomatoes, bell pepper, etc.

    Tips

    Batch size: This does make a large batch so be sure to cut in half if desired.

    Blending: If you prefer to blend, I recommend an immersion blender. (They’re very convenient for soup!) You could also do it in batches in a regular blender, but use caution as hot foods may erupt in blender.

    Want more split pea inspiration? This Everyday Split Pea Soup is a great way to enjoy them too!

    Blended pea soup in a white bowl

    For more inspiration, also browse all winter recipes or pea recipes.

    Vegan split pea soup with sweet potato in a white bowl

    Smoky Split Pea & Sweet Potato Soup

    This cozy split pea soup combines creamy sweet potatoes with warm, smoky flavors! It is easy to make and only 7 healthy ingredients.
    4.80 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Comment
    Prep Time: 25 minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour
    Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
    Author: Kaitlin - The Garden Grazer
    Course: Soup
    Cuisine: Gluten-Free, Oil-Free, Vegan
    Servings: 8 medium bowls

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups split peas (1 lb. bag)
    • 1 large onion
    • 1-2 medium carrots
    • 2 medium sweet potatoes
    • 4-5 cloves garlic
    • 1 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika (more to taste)
    • 7 cups vegetable broth (or 4 cups broth + 3 cups water)
    • Salt to taste
    • Optional: tomatoes, spinach, kale, chipotle, hot sauce for topping

    Instructions

    • Peel and dice sweet potatoes. Dice onion and carrot.
    • In a large stockpot over medium-high heat, sauté onion and carrot for 5-7 minutes. (I use 3 Tbsp. water/veggie broth for no-oil sauté method.)
    • Meanwhile, mince garlic.
    • Add sweet potatoes, garlic, and smoked paprika to the pot. Stir and sauté 1 minute.
    • Add vegetable broth and 3 cups water.
    • Rinse split peas well and drain. Add to pot.
    • Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 50 minutes to 1 hour or until split peas are tender, stirring occasionally.
    • Salt to taste. Serve as is or blend.*

    Notes

    *Blending: If you prefer to blend, I recommend an immersion blender. (They’re very convenient for soup.) You could also do it in batches in a regular blender, but please use caution as hot foods may erupt in blender.
    Make it spicy: Add chipotle or cayenne pepper to taste.
    Yield: This makes a large batch. Cut the recipe in half if desired.
    Recipe adapted from Vegetarian Times.

    Nutrition Per Serving (Estimate)

    Nutrition Facts
    Smoky Split Pea & Sweet Potato Soup
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    239
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    1
    g
    2
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    6
    %
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Potassium
     
    733
    mg
    21
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    46
    g
    15
    %
    Fiber
     
    15
    g
    63
    %
    Sugar
     
    9
    g
    10
    %
    Protein
     
    13
    g
    26
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    9986
    IU
    200
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    4
    mg
    5
    %
    Calcium
     
    53
    mg
    5
    %
    Iron
     
    3
    mg
    17
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Did you make this recipe?Leave a star rating or comment below!

    If you are enjoying this vegan split pea soup with sweet potato, also check out:

    • Quinoa Potato Soup
    • Lentil Orzo Soup
    • Loaded Veggie and Black Bean Quesadillas

    Follow The Garden Grazer on Instagram, Pinterest, or Facebook for more updates and inspiration.

    More Vegan Soup + Chili Recipes

    • Mushroom Chili
    • Vegan Broccoli Potato Soup
    • Lentil Cabbage Soup
    • Vegan Coconut Curry Lentil Soup

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating:




    1. Mary T

      January 24, 2021 at 6:27 pm

      How many servings does this make?

      Reply
      • Kaitlin McGinn

        January 27, 2021 at 12:26 pm

        Hi Mary! You can find the servings right above the ingredients in each recipe. (I estimate this one to be 8 medium bowls - it's a large batch, so be sure to halve if desired.)

        Reply
      • Jules

        October 10, 2021 at 11:58 am

        5 stars
        1

        Reply
    2. Alyssa

      December 06, 2020 at 3:57 pm

      4 stars
      Very good! Love the way the smoked paprika mellowed out with a low, slow cook time. I ended up letting it simmer until the peas had completely broken down on their own, just as I normally do with pea soup. I used yellow split peas, so this was such a pretty color at the end. I served it with biscuits and jam.

      Reply
      • Kaitlin McGinn

        December 07, 2020 at 4:09 pm

        That sounds great! Love that you used yellow split peas. Thanks for the feedback, Alyssa.

        Reply
    3. Anonymous

      February 14, 2014 at 1:57 am

      This looks awesome and I am very excited to try it! Quick question...do you pre-soak the split peas or just add them in?

      Reply
      • Kaitlin | The Garden Grazer

        February 14, 2014 at 3:21 am

        No, I don't soak mine. I just rinse, drain, and toss them in!

        Reply

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    The Garden Grazer - Kaitlin profile photo

    Hi, I'm Kaitlin!
    I share vegan recipes that are easy & healthy. (Mostly whole food plant-based, oil-free, & gluten-free.) About Me →

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