Spring Pea Soup Turkey Ham (Print)
Light, vibrant soup featuring sweet peas and lean turkey ham, ideal for lunch or dinner.
# Ingredient List:
→ Vegetables
01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
04 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 4 cups fresh or frozen green peas
06 - 1 medium Yukon Gold potato, peeled and diced
→ Meats
07 - 1 cup turkey ham, diced
→ Liquids
08 - 4 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
09 - 1/2 cup whole milk (optional, for creaminess)
→ Seasonings
10 - 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
12 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
13 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
→ Garnish
14 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
15 - Extra turkey ham, diced and sautéed (optional)
# How-To Steps:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and celery; sauté for 4 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to brown.
03 - Add diced turkey ham to the pot and cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally to develop flavor.
04 - Add peas, diced potato, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir well to evenly distribute seasonings.
05 - Pour in broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15–18 minutes until potato is completely tender.
06 - Remove from heat. Stir in whole milk if using for a richer, creamier texture.
07 - Using an immersion blender, puree until completely smooth. Alternatively, blend in batches in a countertop blender and return to pot. Leave some chunks if desired for texture.
08 - Stir in fresh lemon juice. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
09 - Ladle hot soup into bowls. Garnish with chopped fresh chives and extra sautéed turkey ham if desired.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The turkey ham adds a smoky depth without overwhelming the fresh sweetness of the peas
- It comes together in under an hour but tastes like it simmered all afternoon
02 -
- Overblending can make the potato texture gluey, so pulse gently and stop when smooth
- The lemon juice is not optional, it transforms the soup from pleasant to positively vibrant
03 -
- If using frozen peas, do not thaw them first, they cook perfectly from frozen
- Reserve a few whole peas and turkey ham pieces to garnish for visual appeal