Smoky Split Pea and Sweet Potato Soup

If you’re working on establishing new and healthy habits this January, hearty soups can certainly be called on to help with diet goals, and they are excellent fuel for those new workout routines. Bursting with smoky flavor and vibrant color, this vegan split pea and sweet potato soup is a nutritious take on a comforting classic. Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce infuse the dish with a rich, savory, and smoked taste you’d ordinarily get from ham, while sweet potatoes and split peas provide natural sweetness and heartiness for a fiber-packed base. Resolutions aside, comforting winter soups like this are also simply perfect for nourishing the body, mind, and spirit! 

Active Prep Time: 20 mins ∙ Cook Time: 1 hour ∙ Serves: 6

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, diced

3 stalks celery, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 1/2 tablespoons chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced

1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves

1 pound dried split peas, rinsed

8 cups reduced-sodium vegetable stock

1 bay leaf

1 large sweet potato, chopped small

Salt and pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Add the onion and celery and sauté until onions are translucent.

Stir in garlic, chipotle peppers, and thyme and sauté 1 minute.

Stir in split peas, vegetable stock, and bay leaf. Raise heat to medium-high and bring up to a simmer.

Cover and reduce heat to low. Gently simmer 30 minutes.

Stir in sweet potatoes and cover. Let simmer an additional 30 minutes, or until peas and potatoes are tender.

Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.

HELPFUL TIPS

Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce are sold in small cans in the Mexican food aisle. For a spicier soup, you can top with a drizzle of the remaining adobo sauce at the table. For a mild soup without heat, substitute 2 teaspoons of smoked paprika in place of the peppers as you sauté the garlic.

Calories per serving: 275 ∙ Fat: 6g ∙ Net Carbs: 37g ∙ Fiber: 13.5g ∙ Sugars: 9g ∙ Protein: 14g