I invented this soup one day when I had barely anything in the larder, and it was so good, I’ve made it lots of times since! It only has three ingredients!
First of all, and most importantly, it’s delicious. There is not a lot of point making frugal food if it’s boring and flavourless, you won’t be able to keep that up for long and may well end up splurging on something, just to eat something tasty. We have many ways of feeding yourself extremely cheaply without having that as well. Cheap vs Frugal is a very important difference.
Secondly, at just 19p a portion, it IS mega frugal!
What do I need to make split pea soup
This split pea soup uses minimal ingredients. For 4 portions, (priced December 2025) you will need
- 200g yellow or green split peas, chana masala or anything similar. Yellow split peas are £2.40/kg, 48p
- an onion, a decent sized one. Just peel it and roughly chop, 99p/kg, 20p
- a stock cube, I usually use chicken. Or if you have any lovely home made stock from a chicken or turkey roast, it will add masses of flavour £1.14 for 12, 10p
- or salt and pepper (1 teaspoon of each). I usually use Aleppo pepper
- 1 litre water
Total of 78p for 4 portions, 19p a portion
I have even made it without the stock cube and seasoned with just salt and pepper.
Split peas can be hard to find. I couldn’t find them looking online in Asda or Aldi. They are in Tesco, Morrisons and Sainsbury at £2.40 / kg. Amazon also have them at £1.40/ kg. I have Prime for just this kind of thing. I buy lots of things in bulk from Amazon (if they are cheaper, which they often can be) and Prime means there is no postage to pay. We buy things often enough in this house to make it cost effective.
How to make this gluten free split pea soup
This couldn’t be simpler. Just simmer everything for half an hour until the split peas are soft. You can the choose whether to leave it as it is, or whizz it smooth.
Is yellow split pea soup vegan?
The split peas and onion are vegan. You will need to check the stock cube if using one. The easiest way is to omit the stock cube and season with salt and pepper.
Variations for split pea soup
- Use turkey, chicken or vegetable stock, and perhaps some shreds of meat. I have made this many times with water and a stock cube and it’s lovely. Made with turkey stock it’s extra delicious. Usually whizzed smooth, because I had bits of turkey meat in the stock, it was left unwhizzed in the picture above.
- reduce the amount of water for a thicker soup
- the soup is naturally gluten free
- for a vegan soup, you just need to check your stock, or use water, it’s still delicious
- for a cream of split pea soup, add one tbsp of cream to each bowl full. You could swirl it in to make it look beautiful
What to serve with split pea soup
Very tasty just as it is, there are lots of things that will go well.
Vegetable muffins, a cheese scone, warmed in the oven, crusty bread or rolls, or a nice chunk of red pepper and onion loaf.
What Other Vegetable Soups Can I Make?
I love a soup and have one most days when the weather is cold.
Dairy Free
,
Freezes Well
,
Gluten Free
,
Low Fat
,
Nut Free
,
Vegan
,
Vegetarian
Servings: 4 bowls
Cost per portion ?p a bowl
Calories: 240kcal
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Simmer the split peas, onion, stock cube if using, salt and pepper in the water until the split peas are soft.
200 g split peas, 150 g onion, 1 litre water, 1 chicken stock cube, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp Aleppo pepper, or black pepper
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Blitz the soup smooth if you like, or keep it as it is
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If you want to make cream of split pea soup, stir in the cream, or swirl through the soup in the serving bowls
4 tblsp cream
Variations for Green Pea Soup
I’ve used turkey and chicken stock for this soup and it’s extra delicious.
I have also made this many times with water and a stock cube and it’s lovely.
I usually whizz it smooth, but because I had bits of turkey meat in the stock, I left it unwhizzed this time.
I have even made it without the stock cube and seasoned with just salt and pepper.
Nutrition Facts
Split Pea Soup
Amount per Serving
% Daily Value*
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
