This Split Pea Soup with Pork Ribs recipe is part of my collaboration as brand ambassador of the National Pork Board’s “Pork Es Sabor” to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Thank you for reading and supporting the brands that make this blog possible.
Going through my memory to make a recipe with pork ribs, but not the barbecue we eat here in the US, but as my grandmother would have done in Caracas, this Split Pea Soup came to my mind.
You will ask me if I am nostalgic lately and I will tell you that cooking helps to comfort me. Not only because I have adopted many of the culinary traditions of this country, which welcomed my children and me with open arms. But also because I can recreate the flavors of my childhood without much effort, following recipes from my mom and grandmother.
It is precisely what this succulent Split Pea Soup with Pork Ribs recipe is about, celebrating my Hispanic and Venezuelan heritage, and the seasoning of my grandma Ligia. She was an amazing cook.
This soup is perfect for when the temperatures start to drop —in other latitudes, of course, because here in Miami, we will have warm weather forever. It is made with pork ribs (I used spare ribs and asked my butcher to cut them into chunks) and seasoned with the proper sofrito from the Caracas cuisine, that is: with garlic, onion and red bell pepper.
You can not imagine how happy I am with the result and how much I thank the National Pork Board, which brings together pork producers across the US, for inviting me to celebrate the culinary traditions of my home country with this soup. After all, we are Hispanic, and pork is the common denominator of our Latin American cuisine.
When I was cooking the ribs, in a hot pan with just a few drops of olive oil, the aroma transported me to those trips to El Junquito, on the outskirts of Caracas. My dad used to take us there to ride horses. We invariably ate cachapas de maíz with queso de mano, crispy pork cracklings, made in those giant cauldrons that emanated an aroma that was the closest thing to glory, and to top it all off we had some golfeados to be eaten with queso de mano too.
It’s amazing how the aroma of the pork ribs, cooking without any condiment, brought back those wonderful memories. That is the magic of pork. It’s so tasty that you don’t have to add many ingredients to create a flavorful meal. I think that, and the fact pork is a very accessible protein, make pork the favorite for us who have the privilege of celebrating our Hispanic heritage in the US.
Now I go with my recipe, but before I ask you to please subscribe to my YouTube channel and don’t forget to visit my Amazon store. I also want to invite you to visit www.PorkEsSabor.com for more pork-based recipes and join the conversation on social networks, using the hashtag #PorkEsSabor.
Split Pea Soup with Pork Ribs Recipe
Split Pea Soup with Pork Ribs
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds pork ribs, without the membrane that covers the part of the bones, cut into chunks
- 1½ tablespoons of olive oil
- ¾ cup of chopped onion
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/3 cup red bell pepper, liquefied
- 1 pound split peas, rinsed and drained
- 8 cups of water
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 ½ cups of potatoes, cut into half-inch cubes
- 2 ½ teaspoons of salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, heat ½ teaspoon of olive oil and add the pork ribs. Cook for 5 minutes.
- Turn the pork ribs and cook for 5 more minutes until golden brown. Remove from heat and reserve.
- In a pot over medium heat, heat the rest of the olive oil and add the onion, garlic and red bell pepper. Stir and cook for about 5 minutes until wilting.
- Add the peas and stir.
- Add the pork ribs and stir.
- Add water and bay leaves.
- Bring to boil and remove the foam that is formed on the surface.
- Reduce the heat to medium and cook covered for 20 minutes.
- Add the potatoes and season with salt and pepper. Stir and cook covered for 15 minutes.
- Serve hot.
Video
Nutrition
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I would have to make this recipe pescatarian friendly. Maybe swipe the pork for shrimp instead.
Wao, never though about shrimp! Great idea!
I love split pea soup, any time. However those coldish fall and winter days make them sooo much more enjoyable. I am definitely trying this recipe.
Thank you Astrid-
This looks super yummy! I love making soup in the fall
Me too! I can have soup everyday!
I love pork ribs but we either use a soy sauce based flavor, tomato sauce, or barbecue sauce. First to encounter something like this and it looks amazing! Will try dong this. 😀
Thank you Sigrid! You’ll absolutely love this recipe!
I love split pea soup! It is such a comfort in the fall and winter! This recipe sounds amazing!
Thank you!
Believe it or not, I’ve never tried split pea soup. Though this recipe makes me want to!
That means, I’m making a good job! LOL
Looks so flavorful and delish!!!
Thank you!
Wow… Never try Venezuelan food but this looks a cracker. I’m a soup person and also had split pea soup but never imagine of putting chunks of pork ribs into the soup. This post is making me crazy hungry and I can’t help to make this tonight… what a sound idea! Thx
I’m a soup person too!
I am a soup person and I love this!
Thank you!
Wow, my son would love this soup – he loves ribs and loves pea soup – I’ll have to try this one out!
All in one!
All in one! I’m sur he´ll love this!
I’ve always loved soups for my appetizer so I’m always looking out for more recipes to try. And since I love peas and pork, this would be awesome.
Indeed!
The recipe looks delicious, and I also love warm soup in the winter. This looks like a great go-to option!
Thank you! You’ll love it!
I have never made split pea soup. This looks so delicious, I need to make it.
You have to try this one! Easy and flavorful!
This soup looks super delicious! It will be an ideal dish for autumn. Can’t wait to try it out! 🙂
Exactly Natalia!
I could probably sub the pork in this recipe for some smoked jackfruit to make this soup! It’s getting cold and now would be the perfect time to have a warm split pea soup. I love finding ways to veganize creative non-vegan recipes! Thanks for the inspiration.
Yes Monique, jackfruit is the perfect vegan substitute! Thank you for visiting!
This recipe looks so delicious! I can’t wait to try it!
Thank you Julietta!
Split pea soup is one of my favorite, but I don’t believe i have ever tried it with pork ribs before
Give this one a try. You’ll love it!
This looks so incredible! It would be perfect for days when it is chilly out. I’ll have to try this for sure!
Yesssssss!
I’ve never been a fan of split pea soup until recently. The addition of the pork is brilliant.
Thank you!
Our family absolutely loves Split Pea Soup. I cant wait to try your recipe with the pork ribs. Sounds so delicious.
Thank you! You’ll love this recipe!
I never would of thought of using pork ribs, but it looks delicious. Split pea is a fall favorite but no one else in my house likes it
I can feel you Emily. It’s the same in my house!
Thanks for this awesome recipe. I love the video!!!
Thank you my dear!