FAQs
To Soak or Not to Soak
It's true, soaking peas overnight in water shortens their cooking time. But soaking isn't entirely necessary. Split peas cook relatively quickly. Unsoaked peas take from 1 to 2 hours of simmering; soaked peas take about 40 minutes.
Will baking soda soften split peas? ›
If the peas aren't softening after the second simmering, stir in ¼ teaspoon of baking soda to the pot. It will foam up at first but subsides as it cooks. This should quickly soften the peas with a little more while simmering!
How to fix split pea soup that is too watery? ›
Incorporate Cornstarch or Arrowroot Powder
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 long does it take for split peas to break down? ›
Cover with water, 8 to 10 cups. Simmer for about 45 minutes or until the split peas are completely cooked and have broken down.
Is it necessary to soak split peas before cooking? ›
No. Split peas, like lentils, do not need to be soaked before cooking. Beans require soaking prior to cooking, but because these are peas they can be used directly in the recipe. It is still a good idea to rinse your peas thoroughly before cooking to remove any dirt particles.
Can you soften split peas in the microwave? ›
Microwave at High 20 to 35 minutes, or until peas are soft, stirring every 10 minutes.
Is it okay to eat old split peas? ›
Dry split peas can be stored indefinitely in the pantry. Their color may fade after a long time, but their flavor is usually not affected by this.
Why are my frozen peas still hard after cooking? ›
Cooking time will vary depending on your texture preference. Cook for longer if you desire soft peas. Don't overcook otherwise peas will shrivel and become tough. Season after cooking – once cooked, immediately add lemon juice (highly recommended) and seasoning(s) of choice.
How do you get the gas out of split peas? ›
Digestive spices such as hing, ginger, and cumin help to make split pea soup less gas-producing. Rinsing and soaking your split peas also helps them to create less gas.
What happens if you put too much baking soda in beans? ›
A little bit of baking soda goes a long way, but if you use too much, it can ruin the taste of your beans.
If your split peas don't get soft, it's more likely they are old or were stored in a container that wasn't airtight. Even though they keep for quite a while, dried beans don't keep forever.
Why are my peas not breaking down in soup? ›
If your split peas don't get soft, it's more likely they are old or were stored in a container that wasn't airtight. Even though they keep for quite a while, dried beans don't keep forever.
Why are my peas still hard? ›
Overcooking them. One of the major mistakes everyone seems to make with peas is that they often get overcooked. This is what turns them from vibrant deep green to that putrid yellowy green. In addition, overcooked peas, depending on the cooking method, can be extremely dry, tough, and starchy, or mushy and soupy.
Why are split peas hard to digest? ›
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.
