Swedish Green Split Peas with Bacon
Experience the comforting flavors of Scandinavia with this hearty Swedish Green Split Peas with Bacon recipe. This savory dish combines tender green split peas simmered to perfection with smoky, crispy bacon, aromatic herbs like thyme and bay leaf, and a medley of sautéed onions, carrots, and garlic. Each spoonful is infused with rich, buttery goodness, bringing a satisfying, velvety texture to the soup-like consistency. A sprinkle of fresh parsley and crispy bacon on top provides the perfect finishing touch, making it a wholesome meal that's as beautiful as it is delicious. Ideal for cozy dinners or meal prep, this one-pot recipe is packed with protein and flavor while requiring minimal effort. Ready in just over an hour, it's a comforting nod to traditional Swedish cuisine that’s sure to please any crowd.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup green split peas
- 4 cups water
- 6 slices bacon
- 1 large yellow onion
- 1 medium carrot
- 2 small garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
- 1 large bay leaf
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
Rinse the green split peas under cold water and set aside to drain.
Dice the yellow onion, carrot, and garlic cloves into small pieces and set aside.
In a large pot over medium heat, cook the bacon slices until crispy. Remove the bacon and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Reserve about 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat in the pot.
Add the diced onion and carrot to the pot with the bacon fat. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the rinsed split peas, water, fresh thyme, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper to the pot. Stir to combine.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot with a lid. Simmer gently for 45-60 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the peas are tender and the mixture has thickened.
While the peas are cooking, chop the crispy bacon into small pieces.
Once the peas are cooked through, taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Remove and discard the bay leaf.
Stir in the butter to add richness, and sprinkle the chopped bacon over the top.
Garnish with fresh parsley before serving, and enjoy your Swedish Green Split Peas with Bacon!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
278 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 7.3 g | 9% | |
| Saturated Fat | 3.3 g | 16% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 20 mg | 7% | |
| Sodium | 447 mg | 19% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 35.9 g | 13% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 14.1 g | 51% | |
| Total Sugars | 6.5 g | ||
| Protein | 17.4 g | 35% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 78 mg | 6% | |
| Iron | 2.5 mg | 14% | |
| Potassium | 189 mg | 4% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
