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

Want to buy authentic Polish food in the US? Visit Polana.com. Enter the coupon code FOODIE15during checkout to get 15% OFF (minimum order $60).

  • Christmas, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Low Carb High Fat, Soups

***Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning that at no additional cost to you, I will receive a commission if you click through and make a purchase.***

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.

Pin For Later:

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!

like this? you'll also love:

Authentic Polish Rugelach Recipe [Rogaliki Cookies]

How To Pasteurize Food?

What Is The Most Famous Polish Fruit? The Most Popular Fruits In Poland.

share with friends and family:

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

What is grochowa? ›

Grochówka (also known as “zupa grochowa”), is simply a yellow split pea soup. It is a hearty and nourishing soup, traditionally made using leftover ham bone but this vegan version uses vegetable stock instead.

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.

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].

Why is split pea soup so gassy? ›

These sugars are not broken down during digestion and therefore reach the colon mostly intact. Fermentation of pea's raffinose family of oligosaccharide sugars in the colon results in the production of intestinal gas.

What causes pea soup diarrhea? ›

If diarrhoea is present it may show the characteristic green pea-soup appearance which is so common in both salmonella and shigella infections. The bacteria may escape from the intestinal into the blood stream and cause either a bacteraemia or a full septacaemia.

Does split pea soup raise blood pressure? ›

All beans and peas can help lower blood pressure due to their high content of fiber, potassium, and magnesium. Canned versions provide the same benefit as fresh, as long as they do not contain added sugar, fat or salt.

Is pea soup bad for IBS? ›

Beans, lentils, and peas are generally a great source of protein and fiber, but they can cause IBS symptoms. They contain compounds called oligosaccharides that are resistant to digestion by intestinal enzymes.

What are the side effects of eating split peas? ›

Possible side effects

As other legumes, split peas have been reported to cause digestive issues that can lead to gas, bloating and diarrhea. These effects can occur for a few reasons, such as the content of FODMAPs, which is a group of carbohydrates that may be poorly absorbed in the digestive tract.

Is split pea soup bad for you? ›

Split pea soup is an amazing source of fiber (about 20 grams per 1 1/2 cup of soup when the daily recommended intake is about 25-30 grams daily). Split peas are also not a bad source of vegetarian protein, about 8 grams per 1/2 cup. You also got the added benefits of potassium and folate.

Is split pea soup bad for GERD? ›

Legumes are alkaline, which means they are the opposite of acidic. Eating more legumes such as beans, peas, and lentils can help neutralize stomach acid and reduce your risk of heartburn.

Does pea soup help you go to the bathroom? ›

Split peas also contain insoluble fiber—a kind that increases water absorption, stool bulk and intestinal regulation. All of these factors can make it easier to have bowel movements, according to a 2021 review of studies published in Legume Science.

Is split pea soup good for the digestive system? ›

Split peas are also packed with protein. And they're high in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Plus, the fiber and starch in split peas are a good source of prebiotics. You've likely heard about probiotics, those live bacteria that are key to a healthy gut.

Can soup be a laxative? ›

You should drink water and other liquids, such as naturally sweetened fruit and vegetable juices and clear soups, to help the fiber work better. This change should make your stools softer and easier to pass. Drinking enough water and other liquids is also a good way to avoid dehydration.

Can I eat split pea soup every day? ›

YES! Green split peas are super nutritious and healthy addition to a balanced diet. The high fiber and protein content of this soup will keep you full and satisfied. High in protein: Split green peas are a good source of plant-based protein, this soup has 27 grams per serving.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Eusebia Nader

Last Updated:

Views: 5882

Rating: 5 / 5 (60 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Eusebia Nader

Birthday: 1994-11-11

Address: Apt. 721 977 Ebert Meadows, Jereville, GA 73618-6603

Phone: +2316203969400

Job: International Farming Consultant

Hobby: Reading, Photography, Shooting, Singing, Magic, Kayaking, Mushroom hunting

Introduction: My name is Eusebia Nader, I am a encouraging, brainy, lively, nice, famous, healthy, clever person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.