This healthy Instant Pot Vegan Split Pea Soup is true comfort food, and it’s one of my favorite ways to get in some veggies, plant protein and fiber while staying warm ‘n cozy!

This is a feel-good soup in every sense of the word. It’s packed with veggies, it’s cozy and flavorful, it’s plant-based and gluten-free – and since it’s made in the Instant Pot, it’s meal-prep friendly and convenient too! Talk about checking all the boxes!

HOW TO MAKE SPLIT PEA SOUP VEGAN

Let’s start with….

🌱Why is split pea soup not vegan?

Split pea soup is traditionally made with a smoked ham hock, which basically does two things. First it adds fatty richness to the broth and veggies, and second, it gives the soup its signature smokiness.

That subtle smoky background flavor is what sets this soup apart from other vegetable soups like it.

🌱Can you make spilt pea soup without a ham hock?

Yep. We don’t need a ham hock to achieve similar results. Instead of animal products, we’ll add a few drops of liquid smoke to create that rich, smoky flavor. Liquid smoke may seem like a hard to find specialty product but it can usually be found at the regular grocery store in the condiment aisle. I found mine next to the ketchup and Worcestershire sauce and it was less than $2! You can also buy it here. Best part? You only need a few drops at a time so it lasts forever!

I also use touch of vegetable oil when sautéing the veggies to create richness without rendering the fat from an animal.

Rule of thumb when veganizing recipes: figure out what the animal ingredient does in a recipe and then work backwards from there. If you know why it’s there, you’ll know how to replace it. Here we’re using seasonings and a touch of oil to do the job of the ham hock and the result is a delicious plant-based soup that’s loved by vegans and non-vegans alike!

👩🏻‍🍳HOW TO MAKE VEGAN SPLIT PEA SOUP IN THE INSTANT POT

I start by sautéing the onions and garlic until fragrant.

Then I add red pepper flakes, a dash of tamari and liquid smoke.

Then I just add the onions and garlic to my Instant Pot along with celery, carrots, split peas and thyme. I add some salt and the veggie broth and it’s ready to go!

I set the Instant Pot to Pressure Cook for 20 minutes, then allow the soup to rest for 30 minutes before releasing the steam valve.

Then taste and add an extra pinch of salt and pepper if needed and it’s ready to serve! I love to pair this soup with some toasted bread or crunchy crackers for dipping.

🥕 INGREDIENTS FOR VEGAN SPLIT PEA SOUP

This cozy soup is made with only 10 simple plant-based ingredients!

• Onions, celery and carrots

• Garlic – My friend originally taught me this soup recipe and he used a lot of garlic when he made it. And after recipe testing, I can confirm, lots of garlic is key! But something magical happens to the garlic as it simmers in the soup. It transforms..it mellows and becomes sweeter – think roasted garlic vs raw – and it’s what creates a rich, flavorful broth for this soup.

• Split Peas – the star of the show! I love how creamy they get in this soup!

• Tamari – or soy sauce if you’re not gluten-free. Both should be low sodium for best results

• Dried Thyme

• Liquid Smoke – THE secret ingredient! Essential to creating that signature smokiness without using animal products! Find this in the ketchup aisle of the grocery store or order it here for less than $3.

• Red Pepper Flakes – this recipe isn’t spicy, but the red pepper flakes add just the right amount of kick at the end 😋

• Veggie Broth – again, low sodium is key!

This Instant Pot Split Pea Soup is so hearty and delicious! I love how the onions and carrots balance the savory flavors with a touch of sweetness and the split peas breakdown and become super rich and creamy. Best part (in my opinion) is the way the liquid smoke adds just a touch of savory smokiness in this background without using a hamhock!

It’s really amazing that anything can be made vegan! Even recipes that traditionally use animal products.

👩🏻‍🍳 RECIPE FAQs

Can I use smoked paprika instead of liquid smoke? Yes! it’s not exactly the same but it will work. I would start with about 1/4 tsp and add more to taste. If I have the option though, liquid smoke all the way! It’s a game changer!

Can I do this on the stove instead of in an Instant Pot? Yep! But that involves soaking the peas overnight and cooking them for a lot longer. According to this recipe, it could take 3+ hours.

Where did you get your Instant Pot? It was a gift from my friend Laura! (Great gift idea by the way!) I have and use all the time. Shop it here.

What Size Instant Pot Should I Use? This recipe uses 6 cups of veggie broth so you’ll need the larger 8qt-size Instant Pot. I half the recipe to fit it into mine since it’s a little smaller.

👇 MORE VEGAN SOUPS YOU MIGHT LIKE

If you like this recipe, you’ll probably also like my Rustic Pasta e Fagioli and my Vegan Pumpkin Samosa Soup.

If you like this recipe please leave a comment and rate this post below! And if you share it on Facebook or Instagram, tag me @nikkivegan + #NikkiVegan so I can see your recreation!❤️

You can also find more free vegan recipes on my YouTube channel here.