Andersen's Split Pea Soup Recipe | CDKitchen.com (2024)

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A copycat of the soup served at Pea Soup Andersen's (and you know it has to be good if the restaurant was named after it!). There are only two locations in the U.S. so if you want the real deal you'll have to go to Buellton or Santa Nella, California. In the meantime, you can enjoy it at home with this recipe.

Andersen's Split Pea Soup Recipe | CDKitchen.com (1)


serves/makes:

ready in:

30-60 minutes

14 reviews
1 comment


ingredients

8 cups water
2 cups green split peas
1 rib celery, coarsely chopped
1 large carrot, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1 dash ground red pepper
1 bay leaf
salt
black pepper

directions

Combine water, split peas, celery, carrot, onion, thyme, red pepper, and bay leaf in a Dutch oven. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Bring the mixture to a hard boil for 20 minutes, then reduce the heat and simmer, covered, until the peas are tender.

Remove from heat and let cool. Press the soup through a fine mesh sieve and discard the solids. Place the strained soup back in the Dutch oven and reheat then serve.


nutrition data

178 calories, 1 grams fat, 32 grams carbohydrates, 12 grams protein per serving. This recipe is low in sodium. This recipe is low in fat.



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reviews & comments

  1. Guest Foodie REVIEW:
    August 24, 2016

    Memories of the best man I ever knew, my Dad. Anytime we traveled from Ukiah, California to Southern California. Andersons was our favorite pit stop. Being that it was in the early 70's the original recipe took the blue ribbon every time. This is in memory of you Dad. Towards the end of cooking this soup of the soul my dad would add a half stick of real sweetened butter and a half cup of heavy cream. We used a clove of garlic, 4 Bay leaves, to be removed, smoked paprika, small onion, red and yellow bell pepper(just a 1/4 of a bell each. 1 stalk of celery, pinch of cayenne pepper, teaspoon of pepper, 1/2 teaspoon of seasalt, one carrot either diced or grated.We would take some bacon tips and add herbs to the bacon and cook them for a minute or two on medium to medium high heat. Add this to your favorite chicken stock and simmer for a couple of hours. Use immersion blender till creamy.Thanks for all of life's lessons Dad and as you taught me. Food sucks until you add your love to it. The same holds true with life. May God Bless us all. Love to all those that feel like they were cheated.

    • CDKitchen Staff Reply:

      Awesome story about your dad! Thanks so much for sharing.

  2. Guest Foodie REVIEW:
    November 30, 2014

    I like this recipe with smoked paprika sprinkled on top

  3. Sue-Z REVIEW:
    November 1, 2013

    Suggestions: Half chicken broth for the water (or add bouillon cubes). Large onion. Fresh thyme (double amount). Kosher salt instead of table salt. Use immersion blender to partially puree (leave it slightly chunky).

  4. Bleacher Bum REVIEW:
    April 26, 2013

    I love to experiment with the basic recipe. Having lived near Gilroy, CA. for many years I often add garlic.... sometimes a couple of cloves often as many as 20 cloves. I've also added a jalapeno or two, red bell peppers, extra celery...

  5. Amy REVIEW:
    October 1, 2012

    Thank you for posting this recipe. I grew up on Anderson's Split Pea Soup and Love it (I also grew up in SB county). I now live over seas so I would have to have cans shipped to me. But tonight I made it myself for my family. Was a wonderful taste of home

  6. Guest Foodie REVIEW:
    March 26, 2012

    I visited Anderson's twice in the late 70' and enjoyed their famous Split Pea Soup, wow! was it ever good. I moved back east and never had a chance to visit Anderson's again. I recently got the idea to go to Google and see if I could find their recipe, I did and I made the soup just like the recipe. I could not remember back that far as to the taste, but this recipe is delicious. Thanks Anderson for posting your recipe. I intend to make this often.

  7. davidrayrob REVIEW:
    November 4, 2010

    I went against my instinct and decided to make this as written with no changes and was suprised at how good this was as is. So basic yet so comforting. The next time I make it i'm going to sub chicken stock for water and either simmer the stock with some smoked ham then shred it or use a hambone. I'm no vegan!

  8. Guest Foodie REVIEW:
    September 23, 2010

    This recipe lets you make the famous Andersen's split pea soup to taste almost like the soup they serve in the restaurant. I found that you do need to add a little bit more spices, I didn't measure.. as I added and tasted & repeated until it was the taste I remembered. The soup still came out fantastic. I don't own a sieve but used a spatula to smoosh the peas on the side of the pot & used a whisk to smooth it out.

  9. Guest Foodie June 5, 2010

    Maybe Anderson's adds MSG to make it more schmackhaft, tasty?

  10. Guest Foodie REVIEW:
    May 4, 2010

    Question? My soup didn't have the great pea flavor that Andersons has. Maybe it was because it was my first time making split pea soup. Anyone have a helpful hint.My husband has always loved Anderson's Split Pea soup. We really enjoyed this for dinner yesterday. It was easy to put together and cook. For next time I will buy an easier sieve. And that's right I will make this again and again and again.

  11. lastrahm REVIEW:
    October 18, 2009

    I grew up on this split pea soup. It turns out it is around the corner from a veteran's cemetary where my Dad is buried. Which do I use as an excuse to go to the restaurant? Found this recipe in their cookbook which I bought on my last visit. Can't wait to try it.

  12. Dave REVIEW:
    July 11, 2009

    This is a great recipe, but I tend to use a simpler version: 2 cups split peas, 8 cups water, a few cubes of chicken bullion, perhaps some dried onion. Then I do the 20 minute boil + lengthy simmer, after about an hour of simmering I use a potato smasher (plastic, with holes in it) to mash the peas up smooth. This avoids having to use a blender, and you can get the soup very smooth if you care to, but I tend to leave it with some texture so it, it still tastes great and is a great easy high fiber recipe.Goes well with sourdough bread, too.

  13. fussymommy REVIEW:
    May 14, 2009

    While not a vegetarian, this soup is something we crave, but live too far to go to the restaurant.A couple hints; add more spices (four bay leaves, count them so you can take them out before pureeing) more thyme, and I use season salt and more red pepper to make it taste the the restaurant.I also cook it much longer if possible to let it reduce at a low temp. which also makes it taste just like Andersen's.For ease, I bought one of those puree instruments that you put directly in the stock pot (Bed Bath and Beyond) but take the bay leaves out first, trust me.Pureeing the soup gives it that great texture, but you don't have to transfer it to a blender while hot and mess with it.I think I need to make some tomorrow now!

  14. Santa Fe Runner REVIEW:
    October 5, 2008

    I was reared in Southern California and stopped by Anderson's Pea Soup restaurant every time I went to San Fran. I love this recipe. I am a vegetarian and few pea soup receipes don't have meat in them. This recipe is super.

  15. blueyedblonde REVIEW:
    February 13, 2008

    on a health kick at 51 trying cooking with dry beans and split peas, lentils etc...didn't know i had to soak beans...great recipe.

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Andersen's Split Pea Soup Recipe | CDKitchen.com (2024)

FAQs

What happened to Andersen's pea soup? ›

The original location of Pea Soup Andersen's in Buellton quietly closed after nearly 100 years in business — but the location off Highway 5 remains open.

Why is my split pea soup not mushy? ›

Why Are My Split Peas Not Softening? In this soup, the peas should be soft after about 1 to 1 1/2 hours cooking time. If you take a taste after this time and they haven't softened, your peas are likely stale. Buy a fresh batch before making the soup again.

What thickens split pea soup? ›

How to Thicken Split Pea Soup. The potato should make your split pea soup perfectly thick and creamy. However, if the soup is still too thin for your liking, you can thicken it up with full-fat cream (though it may alter the flavor a bit) or a cornstarch slurry.

How do you get the gas out of split pea soup? ›

How do you get the gas out of split pea soup? Using the Ayurvedic cooking method of heating oil and digestive spices before adding the split peas helps to reduce gas. Digestive spices such as hing, ginger, and cumin help to make split pea soup less gas-producing.

Do they still make Anderson split pea soup? ›

Since 1940, Andersen's of Southern California has been producing its world-famous, all-natural, California-style split pea soups. AFP now brings these same great soups to the retail shelf in convenient 15-oz. cans. Andersen's soups are extra thick, rich, and creamy with a special blend of herbs and spices.

Why is Andersen's closing? ›

Editor's note: While the Pea Soup Andersen's Restaurant is closing for redevelopment, the hotel remains open. The iconic, nearly 100-year-old roadside restaurant Pea Soup Andersen's in the Santa Ynez Valley has abruptly closed, according to multiple reports.

How do you add flavor to a bland split pea soup? ›

Using onions, garlic, and fresh spices like thyme will add flavor to the soup. The real trick to making a bland pea soup extra tasty is using a bone or ham hock in the soup during the cooking process. Chicken broth will also add flavor to the soup.

What happens if you don't rinse split peas? ›

Whether you soak or not, split peas should be rinsed, simply to remove dust or dirt. You can also soak them in water to pick them over for stones, but the chances of finding one are slim.

Why do you skim foam off split pea soup? ›

Skim the foam that rises to the top of the water. Be very diligent about this; the foam contains the little bits of dust and dirt that you weren't able to rinse off the dry split peas. The more foam you can get rid of, the better your final product.

What is the difference between split pea soup and pea soup? ›

Pea soup would be made out of mashed peas from a pod whereas split peas have been dried and have to be soaked overnight to soften. Split pea soup is often cooked with a ham hock and has bits of ham in the soup.

Why is split pea soup so gassy? ›

Split peas are a low-fat source of protein and are generally considered a healthy food. Like all other dried beans, however, they contain complex sugars that the human body finds difficult to digest. The gas produced by their digestion can cause bloating and flatulence.

How much water do I use for 2 cups of split peas? ›

Bring about 1.5 cups of water or broth to a boil for every cup of lentils or split peas.

What acid to add to split pea soup? ›

For the finish, many pea soups call for an acidic ingredient—vinegar, lemon juice, sherry, or sour cream to bring balance to an otherwise rich and heavy soup.

Is split pea soup a laxative? ›

Yes, Pea is good for constipation. Pea is a rich source of fiber that might improve the bowel movement and relieve constipation. Pea also helps in the growth of intestinal bacteria. This helps to improve intestinal health[9].

Can you overcook pea soup? ›

Very thick and hearty! Freezes well! (I always make a double batch and freeze 2/3.) Update: If you overcook, the soup will get even thicker than usual! and turn a little bit of an olive drab color--it will still taste good though!"

How do you fix runny split pea soup? ›

Cornstarch and arrowroot powder are often used as thickening agents in cooking. To thicken split pea soup using either of these, mix 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch or arrowroot powder with an equal amount of cold water to create a slurry. Slowly pour the slurry into the simmering soup while stirring continuously.

How to thicken pea soup with cornstarch? ›

Cornstarch is a great option as it is a natural thickening agent, but you'll want to be careful about how much you use. Start with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch whisked together with cold water to create a slurry. Then, gradually add the slurry to the soup, letting it boil for one to two minutes before adding more.

How to thicken stew without flour or cornstarch? ›

My secret weapon. Instant mashed potatoes. Pour them on, stir them in, give it a minute or 2, and it'll be nice and thick.

How do you reduce soup to thicken? ›

"Reducing" simply means simmering a liquid long enough to evaporate the extra water, concentrating the flavors and thickening the dish. Remove large pieces of meat or vegetables from the liquid before reducing so they don't overcook. Sauces, broths and pureed soups can simply simmer as-is.

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