• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Vegan Huggs
  • Home
  • Search
  • Recipes
  • About Me
  • Sign up!
  • Contact Me
  • Privacy Policy
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Me
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • Contact Me
    • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Soups and Salads

    Instant Pot Yellow Split Pea Soup

    February 5, 2018 By Melissa Huggins / 86 Comments

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Yummly

    This post contains affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

    Jump to Recipe

    Hearty and comforting, this classic Yellow Split Pea Soup will be your new favorite. Just add the wholesome ingredients to your Instant Pot, and relax while the magic happens.

    Bowl of Yellow Split Pea soup on a plate with crusty bread on the side.

    I finally joined the Instant Pot club and this Yellow Split Pea Soup was the very first meal I cooked in it. Well, I have to say, I'm quite impressed with this kitchen appliance.

    I avoided buying it for so long because I thought it would become a dust collector. Plus, I don't have a lot of counter space for things I won't use often.

    I'm so glad I went for it though. I've been using it almost every night to make quick, flavorful, and nutritious meals for my family.

    When I first opened the box, I was a little overwhelmed with all the buttons, but I felt better after reading the manual. Also, I had lots of support from the Instant Pot Facebook Community Group that has over 1 million members. Everyone is so helpful!

    Table of Contents

    • WHICH INSTANT POT MODEL IS THE BEST?
    • HERE'S WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO MAKE THIS YELLOW SPLIT PEA SOUP:
    • HOW TO MAKE YELLOW SPLIT PEA SOUP IN THE INSTANT POT
    • HOW TO SEAL THE INSTANT POT
    • TOPPING IDEAS FOR VEGAN SPLIT PEA SOUP
    • Instant Pot Yellow Split Pea Soup

    WHICH INSTANT POT MODEL IS THE BEST?

    There are a bunch of models to choose from, but after doing my research, I decided to go with the Instant Pot Duo Plus 6-Quart 9-in-1 Function. Yep, it really is a 9-in-1 appliance! It's a Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Yogurt Maker, Tofu Egg Cooker, Sterilizer, Steamer, Warmer, and it Sautés.

    All that in one little pot! Aaamazing!

    Now the name "Instant" Pot could be slightly misleading because it doesn't really cook food in an instant. However, most meals are cooked in under 15 minutes and it's completely hands-free. Also, the pot takes about 10-15 minutes to come to pressure so you'll need to consider that time too.

    Bottom line, it's worth it and so darn easy to use!

    HERE'S WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO MAKE THIS YELLOW SPLIT PEA SOUP:

    (full ingredient amounts in recipe card below)

    • Cooking oil (or vegan butter)
    • Onion
    • Garlic
    • Celery
    • Carrots
    • Dried Thyme, Oregano, Smoked Paprika, Crushed Red Pepper and Bay Leaves
    • Vegetable Broth
    • Yellow Split Peas
    • Liquid Smoke,
    • Salt and Pepper

    * For an even heartier soup, add 2 medium red-skinned potatoes along with the carrots and celery. No need to peel them, just cut into 1 ½ " cubes

    HOW TO MAKE YELLOW SPLIT PEA SOUP IN THE INSTANT POT

    sautéing onions in the instant pot.

    • Dice the onions, slice the celery and chop the carrots into 1-inch chunks. Cutting the carrots into larger pieces will prevent them from turning into mush.
    • After prepping your veggies, turn on the sauté feature of your Instant Pot. When heated, add the oil and butter. Once melted, add the onions and sauté until slightly translucent, about 2-3 minutes.

    sauteing onions with seasonings to make yellow split pea soup.

    • Now add the garlic, thyme, oregano, smoked paprika, and crushed red pepper. Now sauté for about a minute to release the aromatics.

    * Feel free to omit the crushed red pepper if you don't want the added heat. I love the smokiness from the smoked paprika, but you can use regular paprika if desired.

    cooking onions, seasonings, celery and carrots in the instant pot.

    • Now add the carrots and celery to the pot. Sauté for about 1-2 minutes. Your kitchen should be smelling heavenly right about now!

    Adding broth to the Instant Pot to make yellow split pea soup.

    HOW TO SEAL THE INSTANT POT

    • Cancel the sauté function and add the broth, lentils, liquid smoke, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Close and secure the lid. Turn the steam release handle to the Sealing position. Push the Pressure Cooker (Manual Setting) button to high pressure and set the time to 15 minutes by using the + or - button.
    • The screen will then display ON while the preheating is in progress (this could take 10-12 minutes). When the Instant Pot has come to pressure, you'll see the 15 minutes displayed on the screen again.
    • The cooker will beep when the time is up. Don't touch anything, just let the pressure naturally release for another 15 minutes. Now carefully turn the steam release handle to the Venting position (It will loudly spurt out lots of steam and some water). Once the Float Valve goes down you can carefully open the lid.

    Fully cooked Yellow Split Pea Soup in the Instant Pot with a ladle inside.

    • Remove the bay leaves and taste for seasoning and add more if needed. Let the soup sit a minute before serving to give it time to thicken up. If it's too thick for your taste, you can add a small amount of water or vegetable broth.

    TOPPING IDEAS FOR VEGAN SPLIT PEA SOUP

    • Browned and crumbled vegan sausage
    • Vegan sour cream
    • Vegan cheese shreds
    • A sprinkle of smoked paprika or crushed red pepper
    • Fresh-cut chives, green onion, or your favorite fresh herbs
    • A squeeze of lemon

    MORE INSTANT POT MEALS FOR YOU TO ENJOY:

    • Vegan Carrot Ginger Soup
    • Instant Pot Mushroom Risotto
    • Instant Pot Potato Leek Soup

    NOT READY TO TAKE THE INSTANT POT PLUNGE? HERE ARE SOME OTHER RECIPES YOU MAY ENJOY:

    • Vegan Corn Chowder
    • Vegan Baked Potato Soup
    • Or this amazingly delicious Vegan Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe by Stacey Homemaker. It's one of my faves!

    I’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU

    If you make this recipe, let me know what you think by ★ star rating it and leaving a comment below. It would really make my day. You can also follow me on Instagram and share your creation with me. Just tag me @veganhuggs and hashtag #veganhuggs so I don’t miss it.

    📖 Recipe

    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
    5 from 45 votes

    Instant Pot Yellow Split Pea Soup

    Hearty and comforting, this classic Yellow Split Pea Soup will be your new favorite. Add the wholesome ingredients to your Instant Pot, and relax for 25 minutes while the magic happens.
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time30 minutes mins
    Total Time40 minutes mins
    Course: Soup
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 5 People
    Calories: 384kcal
    Author: Melissa Huggins

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoons preferred cooking oil or vegan butter (or a blend of both)
    • 1 medium onion , diced
    • 4 cloves garlic , minced
    • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
    • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper (*optional)
    • 2 bay leaves
    • 3 stalks celery , sliced
    • 2 large carrots , chopped into 1" pieces.
    • 6 cups vegetable broth , low sodium
    • 2 cups yellow split peas , sorted and rinsed (sub green split peas)
    • 1 teaspoon liquid smoke (*optional)
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt , more to taste
    • Fresh cracked pepper , to taste

    Recommended Equipment

    • Instant Pot
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Turn on the sauté feature of your Instant Pot and add the oil or butter. When heated, add the onions and sauté until slightly translucent, about 2-3 minutes.

    • Now add the garlic, thyme, oregano, smoked paprika and crushed red pepper. Sauté for about a minute. 

    • Add the carrots and celery. Sauté 1-2 minutes. 


    • Cancel the sauté function and add the broth, split peas, liquid smoke, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. 

    • Close and secure the lid. Turn the steam release handle to the Sealing position. Push the Pressure Cooker (Manual Setting) button to high pressure and set the time to 15 minutes by using the + or - button. The screen will then display ON while the preheating is in progress (this could take 10-12 minutes). When the Instant Pot has come to pressure, you'll see the 15 minutes displayed on the screen again.
    • The cooker will beep when the time is up. Don't touch anything, just let the pressure naturally release for another 15 minutes. Now carefully turn the steam release handle to the Venting position (It will loudly spurt out lots of steam and some water). Once the Float Valve goes down you can carefully open the lid. 

    • Remove the bay leaves and taste for seasoning. Add more if needed. Let the soup sit a minute before serving. This will give it time to thicken up. If it's too thick for your taste, you can add a small amount of vegetable broth. *See notes stovetop instructions.

    Notes

    Stovetop Instructions
    • In a large pot over medium heat, sauté the onions and celery in butter or oil until softened, about 5-6 minutes.
    • Add garlic and seasonings, sauté for 1 minute
    • Now add carrots, broth, split peas, liquid smoke salt, and pepper. Turn up the heat to bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a low simmer. Cook uncovered for 1 ½ - 2 hours until peas are completely softened. Stir occasionally. 
    • Taste for seasoning and add more if needed. Let the soup sit a minute to thicken. Serve as is or blend for a super smooth texture.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 384kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 626mg | Potassium: 1222mg | Fiber: 22g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 5410IU | Vitamin C: 6.3mg | Calcium: 89mg | Iron: 4.8mg
    Tried this recipe?Follow me @veganhuggs and mention #veganhuggs!

    Vegan Huggs Weekly Newsletter

    Receive the tastiest vegan recipes straight to your inbox! Join now and get my Fan Favorites ebook FREE!

    More Vegan Soups and Salads

    • overhead view of cucumber and tomato salad in a bowl.
      Cucumber and Tomato Salad
    • overhead view of a bowl of three bean salad.
      Three Bean Salad
    • two black bowls of vegan cauliflower soup. Two spoons in the middled with a bottle of wine in the background.
      Vegan Cauliflower Soup
    • bowl of chickpea curry soup with a spoon inside.
      Chickpea Curry Soup
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Yummly
    melissa

    About Melissa

    I’m Melissa Huggins – the creator of Vegan Huggs. I started this blog to share delicious vegan recipes that everyone will love. Yep, that includes carnivores, too! Read more...

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. gail livingston

      March 10, 2023 at 9:54 am

      5 stars
      Hi Great recipe, No oregano but I added some saffron, (guilding the lily). Thanks I used GTB chicken flavour cause I had it. Will add some diced ham once it is done.

      okay, I just finished and it is wonderful. I ran it through my blender for a while and it is now silky smooth. Added the diced ham and going to have it for lunch.
      Thanks

      Reply
      • Melissa Huggins

        March 13, 2023 at 8:10 am

        Hi Gail, glad you made the recipe work for you and enjoyed it! Thanks for the feedback. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Rachael

      March 05, 2023 at 7:02 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious! Thank you for sharing this delicious and nutritious recipe - great flavors!

      Reply
      • Melissa Huggins

        March 08, 2023 at 9:56 am

        It is my pleasure, Rachael! Thanks for dropping by. 🙂

        Reply
    3. JUSTINA BOWEN

      January 29, 2023 at 8:37 am

      5 stars
      This soup was fantastic! It tasted like it had been simmering all day with a ham bone in it - yet it was super fast and no animals were harmed! .I used green split peas and half the red pepper flakes, everything else the same. This will be my go-to split pea soup forever!

      Reply
      • Melissa Huggins

        February 03, 2023 at 7:55 am

        So happy you enjoyed this recipe, Justina! Thanks for the lovely feedback, I appreciate you. 🙂

        Reply
    4. Jo

      December 28, 2022 at 8:31 am

      5 stars
      What a delicious recipe! Made it on a rainy December afternoon and it was the perfect warming lunch!

      Reply
      • Melissa Huggins

        December 29, 2022 at 10:12 am

        Oh, that sounds perfect Jo! Happy you liked it. 🙂

        Reply
    5. Paige

      December 04, 2022 at 4:11 pm

      5 stars
      This soup is so delicious I can’t stop eating it right out of the Instant Pot. This going into regular rotation!

      Reply
      • Melissa Huggins

        December 12, 2022 at 10:15 pm

        Glad to hear it, Paige! 🙂 Thanks for dropping by.

        Reply
    6. Janice

      November 17, 2022 at 10:11 pm

      5 stars
      I made this tonight and it was fabulous. I changed it a bit by adding a few shakes of garlic powder and onion powder along with a splash of 1/2 & 1/2 at the end. Topped with half dz. Croutons. Delcious!

      Reply
      • Melissa Huggins

        November 19, 2022 at 9:40 am

        Thanks for the great feedback, Janice! Happy you enjoyed this hearty vegan soup. 🙂

        Reply
    7. Sandra

      November 15, 2022 at 4:56 pm

      5 stars
      It was easy to make and very delicious! I added diced sweet potatoes and a squeeze of lemon juice.
      Thank you!❤️

      Reply
      • Melissa Huggins

        November 17, 2022 at 9:39 am

        My pleasure Sandra. Glad you liked this recipe. ❤️

        Reply
    8. Millie

      September 01, 2022 at 1:33 pm

      I love this recipe yellow pea soup so delicious. Thank you so much.
      Millie

      Reply
      • Melissa Huggins

        September 09, 2022 at 11:05 am

        So glad you love it, Millie. Thank you for sharing your feedback 🙂

        Reply
    9. AnneW

      January 17, 2022 at 3:11 pm

      Can green split peas and yellow be used interchangeably?

      Reply
      • Melissa Huggins

        January 17, 2022 at 3:18 pm

        Yes, you can use either one for this recipe. I'll make a note of it in the recipe card. Thanks you for asking 🙂

        Reply
    10. Liz

      November 13, 2021 at 4:37 pm

      5 stars
      The flavor is amazing. Sooo good and easy to make.

      Reply
      • Melissa Huggins

        November 17, 2021 at 9:12 pm

        I'm so glad you liked it, Liz. Thanks you for giving it a try 🙂

        Reply
    11. Katrina B.

      September 12, 2021 at 7:41 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is soooo amazing! I had all of the ingredients except for celery and liquid smoke so I just added extra yellow onions plus some green onions and omitted the liquid smoke. It turned out so delicious! We all kept going back for more!!

      Reply
      • Support @ Vegan Huggs

        September 17, 2021 at 6:59 am

        Hi Katrina! We are so happy to hear that you loved the recipe! Thanks so much for stopping by 🙂

        Reply
    12. Kelly Stevens

      January 23, 2021 at 4:27 pm

      5 stars
      Hi Melissa,

      Made your split pea soup for dinner tonight. It was delicious! I think everyone had seconds. I used the Instant Pot method and it couldn't have been easier. The only change I made was to eliminate the oil for sauteing the veggies. This will definitely go in my favorites file. I've got my eye on a few of your other soup recipes and can't wait to try those too.
      Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Support @ Vegan Huggs

        January 29, 2021 at 9:03 am

        Hi Kelly! Yay, we are so happy to hear that this made the favorites file 😀 Thanks so much for giving it a try and we hope you love the other soups too!

        Reply
    13. Ron Deen

      December 06, 2020 at 7:08 pm

      5 stars
      This is a brilliant soup! This one is in my top 20, and if you knew how many different ones I made, that should impress you. Thank you so much for the recipe.

      Reply
      • Support @ Vegan Huggs

        December 11, 2020 at 10:03 am

        Hi Ron! We are so happy to hear how much you love the soup! Thank you so much for giving it a try 🙂

        Reply
    14. Sue Carr

      November 24, 2020 at 11:33 am

      I've been looking for another quick, nutritious and tasty soup for years,and have finally found it. Thank you Vegan Huggs. I didn't have low sodium broth so had to water it down a bit but still loved it. Tonite I think I'll add some kale from my garden and a few small potatoes.

      Reply
      • Support @ Vegan Huggs

        November 27, 2020 at 7:59 am

        Hi Sue! We are so happy to hear that you loved the recipe! Fresh garden kale sounds delicious too 🙂 Thank you for sharing!

        Reply
    15. Eva Bihalné Kis

      October 24, 2020 at 4:02 am

      5 stars
      It was very delicious :D, I will cook it often. Thank1s !

      Reply
      • Support @ Vegan Huggs

        October 27, 2020 at 6:17 am

        Hi Eva! We are so happy to hear that you loved the recipe and will be making it again, thanks for sharing 🙂

        Reply
    « Older Comments

    Primary Sidebar

    I’m Melissa Huggins – the creator of Vegan Huggs. I started this blog to share delicious vegan recipes that everyone will love. Yep, that includes carnivores, too!

    More about me →

    • vegan huggs facebook
    • vegan huggs Instagram.
    • vegan huggs pinterest
    • YouTube

    My Most Popular

    • Vegan crab cakes on a white serving plate. Topped with tartar sauce, green onion and paprika.
      Vegan Crab Cakes
    • One slice of vegan quiche on a white plate. Tomatoes in a bowl on the side with full quiche.
      Easy Vegan Quiche
    • closeup view of sesame cauliflower in a bowl.
      Sticky Sesame Cauliflower
    • Horizontal photo of two bowls of vegan potato leek soup.
      Creamy Vegan Potato Leek Soup
    • vegan-cauliflower-casserole-6a-340x340.jpg
      Cheesy Vegan Cauliflower Casserole
    • overhead view of two portobello mushroom steaks on a white plate. Asparagus and potatoes on the side.
      Grilled Portobello Mushroom Steaks

    Footer

    SEEN ON

    ^ back to top

    About

    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Recipe Index

    Newsletter

    Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Subscribe

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2020 Vegan Huggs

    We use cookies to ensure that you have the best experience possible on our website. By continuing on the site you agree to the use of your cookies by www.veganhuggs.com