Oh, my goodness, let’s talk soup! Nothing quite shouts ‘cozy evening’ like a big, steaming bowl of split pea soup, right? Usually, it means hours of simmering on the stove, hovering over the pot, waiting for those dried peas to finally give up and get creamy. But guess what? We don’t have time for that anymore!
If you, like me, always end up with those glorious bits of leftover smoked turkey after a big holiday or Sunday cookout, this recipe is your new best friend. We are making the absolute richest, most savory Instant Pot Split Pea Soup with Smoked Turkey, and it happens unbelievably fast. Seriously, I just throw everything in the electric pressure cooker, walk away, and come back to the best comfort food soup you’ll ever have. Trust me, this one-pot wonder is about to become your go-to dinner!
Why This Instant Pot Split Pea Soup with Smoked Turkey is a Weeknight Winner
When I look at my weeknight schedule, I need things to be simple, fast, and packed with flavor. This recipe delivers on every single promise! It keeps the whole kitchen clean because it’s a true one pot split pea soup masterpiece.
- Speed and Convenience of Pressure Cooking
Forget simmering peas for hours! That’s my favorite part. Since we are using the electric pressure cooker, those dried peas transform into velvety smooth goodness in just 15 minutes under pressure. It’s the definition of quick split pea soup smoked meat style without the wait. Honestly, I set it, and then I go tackle emails or maybe just stare longingly out the window while dinner cooks itself.
- Deep Savory Flavor from Smoked Turkey
Using leftover smoked turkey or even just a smoked neck bone makes this soup taste like it simmered all day over a low flame. It builds such a rich foundation—way better than just using plain old chicken broth. If you are making smoked turkey soup pressure cooker style, using that smoky leftover meat is the secret weapon for that deep, savory note.
If you love one-pot meals that feel traditional but use modern tools, you absolutely have to check out my recipe for one pot chicken tortellini soup next week, too!
Essential Ingredients for Instant Pot Split Pea Soup with Smoked Turkey
Okay, preparing your ingredients is half the battle, and since we’re using the Instant Pot, it’s super straightforward. You don’t have to mess around with soaking these peas; the pressure cooker handles all the heavy lifting! When you gather your components, make sure you have that smoked meat ready to go. I usually use the dark meat off a smoked turkey neck or just shred whatever I have left on the carcass—that’s where all the incredible smoke essence lives.
Don’t forget the olive oil for sautéing! It’s crucial to build that flavor foundation before sealing the pot. I promise, once you see the ingredients lined up, you’ll realize how simple this Instant Pot Split Pea Soup recipe truly is. Before you start, you might want to check out my recipe for creamy crockpot queso blanco for a different kind of comfort food!
Ingredient List Breakdown
Here is exactly what you need! Make sure you rinse those peas well—they can be dusty.
- 1 pound dried green split peas, rinsed
- 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth—use low sodium if you can, since the turkey is salty!
- 1 pound smoked turkey (such as leftover smoked turkey breast or neck bones—I prefer bones for flavor!)
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Instant Pot Split Pea Soup with Smoked Turkey
This is where the magic happens, and I promise it goes faster than you think! If you’ve ever worried about split pea soup cooking times IP, here’s your cheat sheet. We start by building a flavor foundation right in the pot we’ll be cooking in, which means fewer dishes—yay!
Sautéing the Aromatics (Base Flavor)
Set your Instant Pot to Sauté mode—High heat is what I use. Toss in that tablespoon of olive oil. Once it shimmers a bit, add your onion, carrots, and celery. Let those get happy and soft for about five minutes. You want them sweetening up nicely. Once they look translucent, throw in the minced garlic for just one minute. Careful here; garlic burns faster than almost anything! Once fragrant, hit “Cancel” on the pot.
Pressure Cooking the Instant Pot Split Pea Soup with Smoked Turkey
Now, dump everything else in! Add the rinsed split peas, the broth, your chunks of smoked turkey, the thyme, bay leaf, and that pepper. Stir everything around gently just to make sure those peas aren’t stuck to the bottom—that’s important for pressure cooking! Seal up the lid nice and tight, switch that vent to Sealing, and set it for High Pressure (Manual) for exactly 15 minutes. Once it beeps, let it sit for a full 15 minutes for the Natural Pressure Release (NPR). That’s crucial for those peas to stay intact but tender!
After the 15-minute NPR is up, you can do a quick release for any pressure left over before opening it. You can check out my thoughts on handling frozen food in the IP if you’re curious about timing techniques!
Finishing and Shredding the Smoked Turkey
Okay, when you open the pot, fish out that bay leaf—nobody wants to bite into that! Also, pull out any big turkey bones you used for maximum flavor. Now, here’s a great trick: Take two forks and shred all that delicious smoked meat directly in the soup pot. It’s so tender it falls apart instantly! Put the meat back in, give it a good stir, and we’re ready for the final step.
Tips for Thick Split Pea Soup Instant Pot Success
This is my biggest piece of advice for anyone making this recipe, or really any soup in the pressure cooker: it often ends up a touch thinner than you expect right after the release. That’s totally normal! The peas absorb a lot more liquid as they cool down, but if you are ready for second helpings *now*, we have two amazing tricks to get that perfect, glorious thickness that feels so comforting.
First, we use the Low Sauté function. After you’ve shredded your turkey and stirred everything together, set the IP to Sauté on Low. Let it bubble gently, stirring every minute or so. That gentle simmer is going to cook off just enough excess moisture to make it rich and spoonable. You might need 5 to 10 minutes depending on how soupy it looks!
The second trick is my go-to for instant thickness: the spoon mash! If you need it thick *right now* without simmering forever? Scoop out about a cup of the soup—mostly broth and softened peas—onto a plate. Take a spoon and mash those peas hard against the side of the plate until they turn into a thick paste. Then, just scrape that luscious mash back into the Instant Pot and stir. Instant creaminess! These little moves are key to mastering thick split pea soup Instant Pot tips. If you need homemade applesauce tips later, check out my guide!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Instant Pot Split Pea Soup with Smoked Turkey
I get asked all the time what to do if you don’t have leftover smoked turkey lying around—and don’t worry, we’ve got backup plans! If you’re missing that smoky base, you have a couple of hero substitutes. You can go the ham route, which is a classic, or if you really need that *smoky* punch, add about half a cup of liquid smoke right when you add the broth. I know, I know, half a cup sounds like a lot, but trust me, it mellows perfectly during the pressure cook to give you that fantastic depth. Or, you could toss in a smoked ham hock and fish it out later!
On another note, if you’re worried about allergens or just prefer cleaner eating, this recipe is naturally gluten-free!
If you are looking for ways to change up your veggies next time, you HAVE to try adding some sautéed or slightly caramelized onions for an extra layer of sweetness. You can find my absolute favorite method for making those sweet onions over at my detailed guide on caramelized onions. It’s amazing how much flavor you can build just with smart ingredient swaps!
Serving Suggestions for Your Homemade Split Pea Soup Savory Meal
So, you’ve got this fantastic, thick, and super savory homemade split pea soup ready to go! What do you serve with something this hearty? Honestly, it can stand alone, but I always feel like a comforting soup needs something for dipping. Forget fancy side dishes; we are going for cozy here.
My absolute favorite pairing is a loaf of crusty French bread or some chewy homemade breadsticks—perfect for soaking up every last drop from the bottom of the bowl. If you want to keep it slightly lighter, a small, crisp green salad dressed simply with a lemon vinaigrette cuts through the richness of the smoked turkey beautifully. For easy baking, you have to try my recipe for easy homemade breadsticks!
It’s the perfect setup for a deeply satisfying, warm meal!
Storage and Reheating Your Instant Pot Split Pea Soup with Smoked Turkey
This soup reheats like a dream, honestly! Once it cools down, it turns into something almost like a thick stew, which is wild. Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for about four days. When you’re ready to eat it again—and you will want to—it will be super thick, so you’ll need to add a splash of broth or water for every serving you heat up.
I usually just pop my portion back into a saucepan on the stove over medium heat and stir it until it loosens up and gets hot all the way through. If you’re in a massive rush, the microwave works too! It’s just one of those comfort food soup Instant Pot recipes that gets better the next day!
Frequently Asked Questions About Smoked Turkey Soup Pressure Cooker Recipes
I love hearing from you all about how you customized your soup! It’s so helpful seeing how other cooks adapt things. Here are some of the top questions I get about tweaking this simple and easy split pea soup Instant Pot recipe.
Can I use ham instead of smoked turkey in this Instant Pot Split Pea Soup recipe?
Oh, absolutely! Ham and split peas are practically best friends. Whether you have a leftover ham bone or just some diced ham chunks, it works perfectly in place of the smoked turkey. Just remember, ham—especially if it’s city ham—can be pretty salty! I always tell people to leave out the extra salt at the end, stir everything up, and then give it a good taste test before you even think about adding any more saltiness. Better too bland than too salty, right?
Do I need to soak the split peas before cooking in the Instant Pot?
That’s the beauty of using your electric pressure cooker! Nope, you do not need to soak dried split peas for this recipe. That’s a massive time-saver compared to the old stovetop methods where you had to plan ahead. The high pressure tenderizes those tough little split peas beautifully in just 15 minutes. If you check the instructions, you’ll see the whole process, including the Natural Release time, keeps the total hands-on time minimal. It’s why I love this method for checking split pea soup cooking times IP—they are so fast!
What is the best way to make this a Split pea and ham soup alternative if I only have plain turkey?
If you’ve got plain, leftover roasted turkey and you’re missing that deep, bone-in flavor, don’t panic! We talked about the liquid smoke earlier, and it really does work wonders to mimic that subtle smokiness. Just start conservatively with maybe two teaspoons mixed in with the broth when you load the pot.
Another fantastic flavor booster, if you don’t want to use liquid smoke, is smoked paprika. Toss in about a teaspoon of smoked paprika along with the thyme. Paprika blooms wonderfully in the pressure cooker and gives that lovely, slow-cooked depth without needing a smoked bone. That way, you still get that rich, savory meal feel!
If you’re ever looking for another quick dinner that’s just as reliable in the pressure cooker, try my recipe for easy cheesy rice!
Rate This Easy Split Pea Soup Instant Pot Recipe
Whew! I hope you’re grabbing your bowls! I really, truly hope you give this Instant Pot Split Pea Soup with Smoked Turkey a try the next time you have some leftover smoky goodness hanging out in the fridge. It’s honestly one of those recipes that proves comfort doesn’t need complicated steps.
I’d be so thrilled if you made it your own! Please take a moment—it only takes a second—to leave me a star rating right here on the recipe card. And if you have a minute? Tell me about it in the comments below! Did you use a ham hock, or did you go full smoked turkey? Did you have to simmer it long to get that thickness just right? I love hearing what works for you all!
If you’re looking for another recipe that always makes me smile when it finishes cooking perfectly, you must try my best soft & chewy chocolate chip cookies next!
Print
Instant Pot Split Pea Soup with Smoked Turkey
- Total Time: 50 min
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
Make a savory and thick split pea soup quickly using your Instant Pot and leftover smoked turkey.
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried green split peas, rinsed
- 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 pound smoked turkey (such as leftover smoked turkey breast or neck bones)
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Set your Instant Pot to the Sauté function. Add olive oil.
- Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until the vegetables soften, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant. Press Cancel.
- Add the rinsed split peas, broth, smoked turkey, thyme, bay leaf, and pepper to the inner pot. Stir gently.
- Secure the lid and set the vent to Sealing.
- Cook on High Pressure (Manual/Pressure Cook) for 15 minutes.
- When the cooking time finishes, allow a Natural Pressure Release (NPR) for 15 minutes, then carefully move the valve to Venting to release any remaining pressure.
- Remove the bay leaf and any large pieces of turkey bone. Shred the turkey meat directly into the soup using two forks, then return the meat to the pot. Discard bones.
- Stir the soup well. If the soup is too thin, set the Instant Pot to Sauté (Low) and simmer uncovered for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it reaches your desired thickness.
- Taste and add salt if needed before serving.
Notes
- If you do not have smoked turkey, you can substitute with 1/2 cup of liquid smoke added during the cooking phase, or use a ham hock for a similar smoky flavor.
- For a thicker soup, you can mash a cup of the soup against the side of the pot with a spoon before the final simmer step.
- This recipe is naturally gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 35 min
- Category: Soup
- Method: Pressure Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Unsaturated Fat: 5
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 50
- Fiber: 18
- Protein: 25
- Cholesterol: 45
