Split Pea Soup (Sopa de Chicharos)

Name: Split Pea Soup (Sopa de Chicharos)
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 1 h 15 min
Total time: 1 h 40 min
Cuisine: Cuban
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons Olive Oil; 1 medium Onion (finely diced); 1 large Carrot (peeled and diced (about ¾ to 1 cup)); 3–4 Garlic Cloves (minced); ½ teaspoon Dried Oregano; ¼ teaspoon Ground Cumin; ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper; 1–1½ pounds Smoked Ham Hocks (rinsed and patted dry (or substitute ham shanks or a meaty ham bone)); 6 cups Chicken Broth; 1 Bay Leaf; 12 ounces Dried Green or Yellow Split Peas (sorted, rinsed, and soaked for 20–30 minutes); 1 large Russet Potato (peeled and cut into ½–1 inch pieces (about 10–12 ounces)); Salt (to taste, if needed)

Instructions

Prep:25minCook:1h 15min

This Cuban-style split pea soup (sopa de chícharos) is thick, hearty, and packed with flavor. Made with split peas, vegetables, and smoked pork, it’s a budget-friendly meal perfect with bread or rice.

Updated at: Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:05:32 GMT