Yellow Peas with Smoked Sausage

Yellow pea soup and smoked sausage.

As I write this, we’ve actually had three “cold fronts” so far this season  — none have been more than a blip, more windy than actually cold, though the humidity has been marginally diminished.  Not so much that I didn’t absolutely need a flat iron to tame my wavy hair, but you know, my makeup didn’t actually melt off my face — so that’s positive.  I’ve given up waiting for the weather to cooperate before I make the warm homey dishes I’ve been craving — and I figure that there are at least some of you who live where the mercury has actually dipped below 70° and would enjoy a hearty bowl of these Yellow Peas with Smoked Sausage.

dry yellow peas
sautéed vegetables

I hesitate to call this “soup” — I mean, it could be, but really this thick, savory potage is more like a pot of hearty legumes, than a thin, slurp-it-from-the spoon soup.  I mean, you can certainly add more liquid and make it more soup-y, but I wanted something thick and stick-to-your-ribs good that could stand up to the bold nature of the smoked sausage.

peas with ham bone
cooked peas with ham

A ham bone, or shank is a must when you’re making a pot of beans.  It adds flavor and collagen and gives the soup body.  Simmering for a few hours allows the bone to release is goodness, and can be discarded after the beans are tender.  (Of course, if there’s meat on the bone, be sure to pick it off to add back to the pot later).

pureeing peas
mixing puree with soup

I pureed a portion of the beans before adding them back to the pot to give a thick, creamy mouth feel.

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adding kale

Chopped kale adds more fiber and chew.  I prefer the way that kale stands up to a simmering heat over spinach – which wilts on contact.

cooking sausage
Yellow Peas with Smoked Sausage with wooden spoon

As for the smoked sausage — get the best you can.  If  you have a butcher that makes his own — buy it.  I have found an exceptional smoked sausage at Costco (Kiolbassa) — and its my go-to unless I can get an artisanal variety.  I like to serve this with a few shakes of hot sauce – Crystal is my preferred brand — it’s vinegary with a nice heat, unless I can get some of my grandfather’s homemade “piment-sauce” – that’s a whole new level of  “Oh-Ma-Gawd”!

Yellow peas and smoked sausage in a bowl.
Serving yellow pea soup with smoked sausage and hot sauce.

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4 from 5 votes

Yellow Peas with Smoked Sausage

Savory and lush, yellow peas with smoked sausage is everything you want in a bowl of warm comfort food. Great on a cold night!
Author: Lisa Lotts
Course Main Course, Soup
Cuisine American
Keyword peas, smoked sausage
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings 6

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 pound dried whole yellow peas
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ onion diced
  • 1 leek pale green parts only, cleaned, sliced vertically and cut into half moons
  • 2 stalks celery diced
  • 3 carrots peeled and sliced
  • 1 leftover ham bone or ham hock
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 6 cups water or more
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 pound smoked sausage such as kielbasa, cut into 1-2″ chunks
  • 2 cups kale tough stems removed, chopped
  • fresh parsley chopped for garnish
  • hot sauce to taste

DIRECTIONS:

  • Sort through the peas, removing any stones or foreign particles. Set aside.
  • In a large dutch oven or heavy pot, heat the olive oil over medium high heat and add the onions, leeks, celery and carrots, stirring occasionally, for 5-6 minutes until vegetables become tender.
  • Add the peas, ham bone and bay leaves and stir in the water. Bring to a boil, cover the pot, reduce heat to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally until peas are soft and starting to split (1-2 hours).
  • Remove the pot from heat. Remove the ham bone to cool and discard the bay leaves. Ladle about 2 cups of peas into the bowl of a blender or food processor. Puree until smooth and add the pea puree back to the pot.
  • Pick any meat from the ham bone and add it back to the pot. Stir in the minced garlic and season the peas with salt and pepper to taste. Add the kale to the pot and cook, covered, over medium heat until kale is wilted, about 5-10 minutes.
  • Meanwhile heat a skillet over medium high heat and spray with a little vegetable spray. Add the sausage and cook until browned and crusty.
  • To serve, ladle the peas into a shallow bowl, top with the smoked sausage and parsley. Serve with hot sauce on the side (I like Crystal brand).

NUTRITION:

Calories: 566kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 53mg | Sodium: 708mg | Potassium: 1166mg | Fiber: 20g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 7745IU | Vitamin C: 33.2mg | Calcium: 116mg | Iron: 4.8mg

 

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23 Comments

  1. This is making my mouth water so much. I love a good pea soup and completely agree-a good ham bone makes it so much better. The addition of the smoked sausage is what’s really making me crave this!

  2. This looks incredible! So hearty and flavorful! A batch of this will feed my family for days!

    1. That’s really the best part, Sandra — easy lunches for a few days!

  3. I agree a ham bone or shank is very important to the flavour when making a bean dish. I have also just started using smoked bacon bones, they really add some flavour (not much meat though). Very clever pureeing half the beans to create that silky creamy element to the dish.

    1. Wow — that sounds incredible. I’ll be on the lookout for smoked bacon bones.

  4. Everyday Sarah Jane says:

    As much as I love the cold weather season, I don’t know if I’m ready for it. Absolutely ready for a bowl of this recipe though! Looks delicious, comforting and perfect for those freezing days that are right around the corner!

    1. Where are you from Sarah? In South Florida, those days are few and far between!

      1. Everyday Sarah Jane says:

        New England!

  5. You have a very delicious and soul satisfying meal, there. Perfect for this time of year.

  6. This looks absolutely scrumptious! Seriously amazing comfort food! Bookmarked!

  7. Pooja@poojascookery.com says:

    This is exactly my type of curry. Can I skip sausages?

    1. LOL, fooled ya– no curry in this. It’s just the color of the peas!

  8. April J Harris (@apriljharris) says:

    5 stars
    It’s hard when you are craving comfort food but the weather doesn’t cooperate! Your Yellow Peas with Smoked Sausage looks like amazing comfort food – and so wholesome too!

    1. In South Florida, we have such subtle changes to the weather that a 5 degree drop is noteworthy!

  9. I love when I no longer need to bring out the flat iron 🙂 I have never actually cooked with yellow peas before. It looks so delicious! Love the color and the sausage on top.

    1. This was my first time with these peas — I love them because they’re whole — not split! The color is amazing!