If you’ve been craving something truly comforting and full of rustic charm, this Swedish Yellow Pea Soup Recipe is just the friend you need in the kitchen. It’s a soulful dish that takes simple, wholesome ingredients like yellow peas, ham, and fresh vegetables, transforming them into a velvety, savory soup that warms you from the inside out. Perfect for chilly days or anytime you want a taste of classic Scandinavian home cooking, this soup is easy to prepare and celebrates the humble yellow pea in all its hearty glory.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe calls for a handful of straightforward ingredients that pack incredible flavor, texture, and warmth into every spoonful. Each component plays an essential role, whether it’s the soft sweetness of carrots, the smoky depth from the ham, or the earthy aroma herbs bring to this traditional soup.
- 2 cups dried yellow peas: The soul of the soup, providing body, creaminess, and a subtle nutty flavor when cooked down.
- 1 onion, chopped: Adds sweetness and depth, forming a flavorful base for the soup.
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced: Give a gentle, natural sweetness and some pleasing texture contrast.
- 2 celery stalks, chopped: Provide an aromatic backbone that brightens the overall flavor.
- 1 ham bone or 2 cups cooked ham, diced: Imparts a smoky, savory richness that elevates the soup beyond basic legumes.
- 1 bay leaf: Adds subtle herbal notes that enhance the complexity of the broth.
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme: For a fragrant, earthy touch that complements the peas and ham beautifully.
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper: A bit of warmth and mild spice to round out the flavors.
- 8 cups water or chicken broth: The flavorful liquid base that cooks everything tender and infuses the soup with richness.
- 1 tablespoon mustard (for serving): Adds a tangy zing that contrasts perfectly with the mellow soup.
- Salt to taste: Essential for balancing and bringing out all the savory flavors.
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish): Introduces a fresh, bright pop of color and herbaceousness at the end.
How to Make Swedish Yellow Pea Soup Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients and Combine
Start by rinsing and sorting your dried yellow peas carefully to remove any debris—this step ensures a nice clean base. In a large pot, combine the peas with your choice of water or chicken broth, chopped onion, diced carrots, celery, the ham bone or diced ham, the bay leaf, thyme, and freshly ground black pepper. This mix is the heart of the soup, where all the flavors begin to mingle.
Step 2: Bring to a Boil and Simmer Gently
Place your pot over medium-high heat and bring everything to a gentle boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer slowly for about 1.5 to 2 hours. This slow cooking will soften the peas until they break down and create a luscious, creamy texture you’ll love.
Step 3: Remove the Ham Bone and Incorporate the Meat
If you started with a ham bone, now is the time to fish it out once the peas are tender. Carefully remove any remaining meat from the bone and shred it into bite-sized pieces before returning it to the pot. If you used diced ham from the start, just stir it in evenly so every spoonful gets a smoky hit.
Step 4: Season and Finish the Soup
Remove the bay leaf from the pot, then taste your soup and season with salt accordingly. This is the key moment when all the flavors truly come together, balancing the earthiness of the peas with the saltiness of the ham and vegetables.
Step 5: Serve with Mustard and Optional Garnishes
Ladle your steaming hot Swedish Yellow Pea Soup Recipe into bowls and add a dollop of mustard on top for a delightful tang. A sprinkle of fresh parsley brightens it visually and flavor-wise. This soup is comforting and satisfying, especially when enjoyed with simple accompaniments.
How to Serve Swedish Yellow Pea Soup Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh parsley is a classic garnish that adds a pop of fresh green and light herbal notes. Mustard is almost a must-have on the side or swirled on top — it brings a wonderful sharpness that cuts through the richness of the soup perfectly. Some like to add a touch of cracked black pepper or even a drizzle of cream for extra smoothness and an elegant finish.
Side Dishes
Serving this soup with thin, delicate pancakes or crisp rye bread is a lovely touch from traditional Swedish cuisine. The pancakes offer a subtle sweetness that contrasts beautifully with the savory soup, while rye bread adds a hearty bite and a rustic flair that’s perfect for dipping.
Creative Ways to Present
For a cozy dinner party, serve your Swedish Yellow Pea Soup Recipe in rustic mugs or shallow bowls topped with a swirl of homemade mustard cream (mustard mixed with a bit of sour cream). You can also add roasted root vegetables on the side for a colorful, textured plate that feels both homey and special.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Swedish Yellow Pea Soup Recipe can be transferred to airtight containers and refrigerated for up to 4 days. The flavors actually develop more depth overnight, so it’s perfect for making ahead and enjoying later without losing its comforting charm.
Freezing
This soup freezes wonderfully, making it an excellent meal prep option. Cool it completely before dividing into freezer-safe containers or bags. You can keep it frozen for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating gently on the stove.
Reheating
Reheat your soup slowly over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and help the flavors meld. Add a splash of water or broth if it has thickened too much in storage. Reheating gently keeps the texture creamy and the taste fresh.
FAQs
Can I use fresh peas instead of dried yellow peas?
Fresh peas have a different texture and moisture content, so they won’t give the same hearty, creamy result as dried yellow peas. For authentic taste and texture in the Swedish Yellow Pea Soup Recipe, stick with dried yellow peas.
Is there a vegetarian version of this soup?
Absolutely! You can omit the ham bone or ham and substitute with smoked paprika or a smoky vegetable broth to mimic that depth. Adding sautéed mushrooms also helps give the soup an earthy richness.
Why do you add mustard when serving?
The mustard adds a delicious sharpness and pop of acidity that contrasts beautifully with the mild sweetness and creaminess of the soup. It’s a traditional accompaniment that balances the flavors and enhances the overall experience.
How thick should the soup be?
The soup should be thick and creamy but still ladleable — think of a hearty stew consistency. The peas break down and naturally thicken the soup as they cook, so no need for extra flour or thickeners.
Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?
Yes! Combine all ingredients except salt and mustard in a slow cooker and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or until the peas are soft. Add salt to taste at the end and serve with your mustard garnish.
Final Thoughts
This Swedish Yellow Pea Soup Recipe is a beautiful reminder of how simple ingredients can come together in the most comforting way. Whether you’re looking to warm up after a chilly day or craving a bowl of nostalgia, this soup has a special place at the table. Give it a try and enjoy a little slice of Sweden in your own home kitchen.
Print
Swedish Yellow Pea Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Swedish
Description
This traditional Swedish Yellow Pea Soup is a hearty and comforting dish perfect for chilly days. Made with dried yellow peas, aromatic vegetables, and smoky ham, this slow-simmered soup delivers rich flavors and a satisfying texture. Served hot with a dollop of tangy mustard and optionally garnished with fresh parsley, it’s a classic Scandinavian comfort food that feeds 6 to 8 people.
Ingredients
Soup Ingredients
- 2 cups dried yellow peas, rinsed and sorted
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 ham bone or 2 cups cooked ham, diced
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 8 cups water or chicken broth
- Salt to taste
For Serving
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
- Thin pancakes (optional, for serving on the side)
Instructions
- Prepare the Peas and Vegetables: Rinse and sort the yellow peas thoroughly to remove any debris or stones. In a large pot, combine the peas, water or chicken broth, chopped onion, diced carrots, chopped celery, ham bone (or diced ham), bay leaf, dried thyme, and ground black pepper.
- Simmer the Soup: Bring the soup to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours. Cook until the yellow peas are tender and begin breaking apart, creating a thick, hearty consistency.
- Handle the Ham Bone: If you used a ham bone, remove it from the soup once the peas are tender. Strip off any meat from the bone, shred it finely, and return the meat to the pot. If you used diced ham from the start, simply stir it in after cooking time.
- Season the Soup: Discard the bay leaf and season the soup with salt to taste. Adjust seasoning as needed to enhance the flavors.
- Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls, add a dollop of mustard on top for a traditional tangy kick, and garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired. Serve alongside thin pancakes for an authentic Swedish meal experience.
Notes
- Sorting and rinsing peas is important to avoid grit in your soup.
- Using ham bone adds extra smoky flavor; substitute with cooked ham if unavailable.
- The soup thickens as peas break down, so stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Traditional Swedish yellow pea soup is often served with mustard and thin pancakes for a classic accompaniment.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the ham and use vegetable broth.
