Bacon and Split Pea Soup

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Cooking the veggies in bacon fat adds smoky flavor to this comforting soup. Slideshow:  More Warming Soup Recipes 

Bacon and Split Pea Soup
Photo: © Ian Knauer
Active Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
1 hrs 45 mins
Yield:
8 cups

Ingredients

  • 6 slices bacon

  • 2 medium onions, chopped

  • 5 garlic cloves, minced

  • Kosher salt

  • Freshly ground black pepper

  • 6 medium carrots, sliced

  • 2 celery stalks, chopped

  • 8 cups chicken stock

  • 1 pound dried split peas

Directions

  1. In a large heavy pot, cook the bacon over medium heat, turning occasionally, until crisp, about 8 minutes. Transfer the bacon to paper towels to drain, keep the fat in the pot.

  2. Stir the onions, garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper into the fat in the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in the carrots, celery, stock, and split peas and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the split peas are very soft and falling apart, about 1 1/2 hours. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste and crumble the reserved bacon over top.

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