Polish Split Pea Soup Grochowka Recipe That Tastes Like Poland! (2024)

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Polish Split Pea Soup Grochowka Recipe That Tastes Like Poland! (1)

Grochowka (groh-hoov-kah) is one of the most famous soups in Poland. After eating a bowl, you will be full for a few hours. Traditional Polish split pea soup recipe will lead you to cook a large pot of grochowka.

It’s believed that it’s impossible to cook a small portion of this soup. That’s why it’s often called grochówka wojskowa (military split pea soup). It was originally cooked for the entire army. It’s clear that the soldiers need a solid portion of food to have enough energy for the day.

Tips For Cooking Polish Grochowka

See also my cabbage with split peas recipe.

Polish Split Pea Soup Grochowka Recipe That Tastes Like Poland! (2)

Use Split Peas Or Beans.

Although Polish grochówka is traditionally cooked with split peas, you can replace them with beans. The taste will be pretty much the same.

You can also add some split peas and some beans, in mixed proportions.

Make Your Split Peas Overcooked.

The split peas should collapse when cooking, it will make the soup thicker.

Smoked Meat Is What Make Grochowka Taste So Good.

The taste of smoked bacon and bones combined with split peas is what makes grochowka so tasty.

Grochówka Is A Winter Soup.

It’s traditionally cooked in Poland on cold, rainy/ snowy days.

Polish Split Pea Soup Is Often Served On Picnics And Festivals.

Every country picnic or harvest festival will have a huge pot full of yummy grochowka. It’s usually served with fresh bread.

See also my Polish beans and sausage recipe.

Polish Split Pea Soup Grochowka Recipe

Polish Split Pea Soup Grochowka Recipe

Polish Split Pea Soup Grochowka Recipe That Tastes Like Poland! (3)

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 lb of peas or beans
  • 1 pork knuckle
  • 9 oz of smoked pork bones
  • 7 oz of smoked bacon
  • 1 lb of potatoes
  • 1 big onion
  • 1 parsley root
  • 2 carrots
  • 3 tsps of salt
  • 1 tbsp of dried marjoram
  • 1 tbsps of Maggi ordried lovage
  • 5 allspice berries
  • 5 bay leaves
  • 1.5 gals of water

Instructions

  1. Cover the beans/peas with water and soak overnight (for at least 12 hours).
  2. Drain the beans/peas and cover them with 1.5 gals of fresh water.
  3. Add the pork knuckle, smoked bones, allspice berries, bay leaves, and salt. Cook slowly until beans/peas are soft.
  4. In the meantime, peel and dice the potatoes. Add them to the soup after an hour of cooking.
  5. Peel and dice the onion. Dice the bacon and fry it with onion on the pan. Add it to the soup.
  6. Peel and dice the parsley root and carrots. Add to the soup and cook until soft.
  7. Add lovage/ Maggi and marjoram. Cook until the meat falls off the bones. The beans/ peas should be overcooked.

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Polish Split Pea Soup Grochowka Recipe That Tastes Like Poland! (17)

Did you like this Polish split pea soup grochowka recipe? Let us know in the comments below!

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3 Responses

  1. According to this recipe, you use 3 tablespoons of salt. This seems to be so much salt that I can’t help wondering if this was written by mistake. Also, you say to use lovage or maggi. Are you referring to the German dark brown liquid known as Maggi seasoning–the stuff with a red and yellow label on the bottle? I was born in America, but my father’s parents were from Poland.

    Reply

    1. Hi Keith,
      Yes, that’s what I am refering to 🙂
      It’s 3 tsps of salt.

      Reply

  2. Thanks for answering. I read that Maggi seasoning is widely used in Germany. Apparently, people in Poland also enjoy it. I bought it and I like to put it in chicken noodle soup. Chicken noodle soup is delicious without it but it’s even better with it.

    Reply

Polish Split Pea Soup Grochowka Recipe That Tastes Like Poland! (2024)

FAQs

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.

Why is split pea soup so gassy? ›

Why is pea soup so gassy? Pea soup is gassy because when bacteria in the digestive tract digest small sugars called oligosaccharides that are present in the beans, it creates gas.

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

Pea Variety: The main difference lies in the type of peas used. Split pea soup is typically made from dried split peas, while green pea soup is made from fresh or frozen green peas. Texture: Split pea soup has a thicker and heartier texture compared to green pea soup.

What makes split pea soup taste better? ›

Use bones, such as a ham hock or shank, even a turkey carcass. The collagen in the bones thickens the soup and the meat adds flavor. Start with a big Dutch Oven, Stock Pot, or slow cooker (minimum 3–4 quarts). Dump in a pint of mirepoix - diced onion, celery, and carrot.

How do you add depth of flavor to soup? ›

"If your broth is lacking in savory richness, try adding roasted onion, tomato paste, mushrooms, seaweed, soy sauce, or miso. These ingredients add umami flavor and depth to broth," she says. The choice of ingredient depends on the recipe, though.

How do you make split pea soup less gassy? ›

Now, lots of people soak their split peas first. It can help reduce the cooking time (from 1-2 hours on the stove top, down to 40 minutes) and split peas also have a compound called phytic acid which can make you gassy. It's totally up to you. Just put them in a bowl and let them soak overnight.

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].

Does split pea soup raise blood pressure? ›

Improves Heart Health:

Split peas also contain potassium which helps lower the blood pressure.

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

The difference between yellow and green split peas

They are both very similar, carrying mostly the same nutritional value and with similar cook times. The main difference is in flavour, as yellow peas have a mild earthy flavour, whilst green peas taste a bit stronger and sweeter.

What can you use to thicken 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.

Why are my split pea soup peas not softening? ›

If your split peas are hard after this length of cooking time, there is something wrong with the peas or with your water. If the peas are very old and dried out, they won't soften. And if the water you use for making the soup is hard with lots of dissolved minerals that can stop the peas from softening.

Should split pea soup be thin or thick? ›

However not thickened with traditional methods, the thickness of this soup comes from the cooking down of the split peas themselves. The longer you cook the pea occupied broth, the thicker the soup gets. This is a preference, so you choose your thickness.

What is pea soup slang for? ›

pea soup noun [U] (FOG)

US old-fashioned informal. (UK pea-souper) a very thick fog. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases.

What culture eats split pea soup? ›

Consumption of pea soup in Sweden and Finland dates back to at least the 13th century, and is traditionally served on Thursdays. This is said to originate in the pre-Reformation era, as preparation for fasting on Fridays.

How do you fix bland pea soup? ›

The common denominator will probably be meat (ham bones are common), more salt, and pepper to taste. If you want to take a shortcut, you could use bouillon cubes or paste to provide both meaty flavor and salt, though pork is a lot harder to find than chicken or beef. Salt and pepper you can just stir in.

How do I fix bland tasting soup? ›

If a soup is tasting bland in the bowl, consider adding acid rather than salt. A squeeze of lemon or lime, or a dash of yogurt or sour cream can add brightness to the bowl. Our Lemony Chicken Soup will make your mouth water.

How to improve pea soup? ›

Yellow onion, celery, carrots and garlic – these vegetables built up the background flavors of the soup. They add some nice color too. Chicken broth and water – I like to use half chicken broth and half water (vs. all broth) so it doesn't overpower the delicate flavor of the peas.

Why is my pea and ham soup bland? ›

Make sure you slow cook Pea and Ham Soup in the slow cooker for at least 8 hours, but 10 hours is even better (on low). The ham meat should literally fall off the bone and be shredded with a touch. Easily shreddable ham is an indicator that it's been cooked long enough to release a ton of flavour into the broth!

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