A photo showcasing a slice of baguette being dipped into a comforting bowl of split pea soup.
Hello there, soup enthusiasts! If you’ve ever pondered over “What To Serve With Pea Soup,” you’re in the right place. Split pea soup, with its rich and hearty profile, is a satisfying meal on its own. However, pairing it with the right accompaniments can elevate your dining experience from simple to spectacular.
This guide is dedicated to exploring a variety of delicious options that perfectly complement split pea soup. We’ll delve into garnishes, toppings, side dishes, breads, sandwiches, and salads, ensuring you have a plethora of choices to create a balanced and flavorful meal.
Split pea soup is known for its thick texture and deep, savory flavor. To create a harmonious meal, consider serving it with foods that offer contrasting textures and complementary flavors. Think about adding a touch of lightness, freshness, or crunch to balance the soup’s richness.
Why These Pairings Work So Well
The key to a successful pea soup pairing lies in creating balance. Split pea soup is inherently hearty and filling, so the best accompaniments are those that provide a counterpoint without being too heavy or overwhelming. The suggestions below are designed to be:
- Complementary in Flavor: Enhancing the savory notes of the soup without clashing.
- Texturally Diverse: Adding interest with crunchy, crispy, or light elements.
- Vegetarian-Friendly: All suggestions are vegetarian, offering ease and versatility for various dietary preferences.
Elevate Your Bowl: Garnishes and Toppings
Sometimes, all it takes is a simple garnish or topping to transform a bowl of soup into a culinary delight. These additions are quick, easy, and pack a flavorful punch.
Crispy Burnt Onions
Burnt onions, with their unique combination of sweetness and pleasant bitterness, are an exceptional topping for split pea soup. The slightly charred edges provide a delightful textural contrast to the smooth soup, while their complex flavor profile enhances the overall taste.
Discover the recipe for crispy burnt onions
Lemon Rosemary Sautéed Chickpeas
For those who appreciate a bit of crunch and protein, lemon rosemary sautéed chickpeas are a fantastic choice. These chickpeas become wonderfully crispy and warm when sautéed, infused with bright lemon and aromatic rosemary. They offer a satisfying bite and a burst of flavor that complements the earthiness of pea soup.
Explore the recipe for lemon rosemary sautéed chickpeas
Crispy Tofu Cubes
Adding crispy tofu is a great way to boost the protein content and introduce a delightful textural element to your split pea soup. These small cubes of tofu, when prepared correctly, become incredibly crispy on the outside and remain soft on the inside. They soak up the soup’s flavor beautifully and provide a satisfying chew.
Find out how to make perfect crispy tofu
Hearty Companions: Side Dishes and Breads
When considering what to serve with pea soup for a more substantial meal, side dishes and breads are classic and comforting choices. These options add body and flavor, transforming your soup into a complete and satisfying dining experience.
Steamed Artichokes
Simple steamed artichokes are an elegant and interactive side dish. Served with a dipping sauce of your choice (consider a lemon aioli or garlic butter), they offer a fresh, slightly tangy counterpoint to the richness of the soup. Artichokes are light yet satisfying, making them an ideal accompaniment.
Learn how to steam artichokes effortlessly in an Instant Pot
Butternut Squash Rolls
Imagine dipping a soft, fluffy roll into your warm pea soup – pure comfort! Butternut squash rolls are incredibly tender and slightly sweet, with a hint of sage for added flavor complexity. These homemade rolls are perfect for soaking up every last drop of soup and adding a touch of warmth to your meal.
Get the recipe for fluffy butternut squash rolls with sage
Sautéed Broccoli Rabe
For a touch of bitterness and a healthy dose of greens, sautéed broccoli rabe is an excellent side dish. The slight bitterness of broccoli rabe, balanced with lemon and garlic, cuts through the richness of the pea soup, creating a well-rounded flavor profile. It’s a simple yet flavorful way to add vegetables to your meal.
Discover the recipe for sautéed broccoli rabe with garlic and lemon
Herb Garlic Butter Potatoes
These herb garlic butter potatoes are quick to prepare, especially using an Instant Pot. They are creamy, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying. The garlic and herb butter adds a savory richness that pairs beautifully with the comforting pea soup. These potatoes are a family-friendly side dish that’s sure to please.
Find the easy Instant Pot recipe for herb garlic butter potatoes
Olive Rosemary Focaccia Bread
Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside – focaccia bread is a bread lover’s dream, especially when dipped in soup. Olive rosemary focaccia adds aromatic herbs and savory olive oil notes that enhance the overall dining experience. The texture contrast between the crusty bread and smooth soup is simply irresistible.
Learn how to make easy olive rosemary focaccia bread
Baked Potato
A classic baked potato is incredibly versatile and pairs wonderfully with pea soup. Top it with your favorite fixings – sour cream, chives, cheese, or even leftover burnt onions! A baked potato adds substance and heartiness to the meal, making it even more filling and satisfying.
Discover the recipe for fast and fluffy Instant Pot baked potatoes
Dark Rye Bread
For a truly flavorful bread pairing, dark rye bread is an exceptional choice. The robust and slightly tangy flavor of rye flour complements split pea soup beautifully. An overnight dark rye bread is easy to make and offers a depth of flavor that elevates the entire meal.
Explore the recipe for easy overnight dark rye bread
Sweet Potato Fries
Looking for something a bit unexpected but incredibly delicious? Try sweet potato fries! Baked sweet potato fries are crispy, slightly sweet, and surprisingly delightful when dipped in pea soup. Their sweetness provides a pleasant contrast to the soup’s savory notes, creating a fun and flavorful combination.
Learn how to make crispy baked sweet potato fries
Sandwich Sensations
For a more substantial and satisfying meal, consider pairing your pea soup with a flavorful sandwich. Sandwiches add another layer of texture and flavor, making for a well-rounded and enjoyable lunch or dinner.
Roasted Spring Veggie Toast
Roasted spring vegetable toast offers a delightful combination of textures and fresh flavors. The crunchy toast, creamy goat cheese, and crisp-tender roasted vegetables create a harmonious blend that’s both light and satisfying alongside pea soup.
Get the recipe for roasted spring veggie toast with goat cheese
Chickpea Salad Sandwich
A chickpea salad sandwich is a vegetarian twist on a classic chicken salad sandwich and pairs beautifully with pea soup. The creamy and slightly chunky chickpea salad, often made with grapes and walnuts for added texture and sweetness, offers a refreshing contrast to the warm soup.
Discover the recipe for chickpea salad sandwich with grapes and walnuts
Cheesy Mushrooms on Toast
Hearty and savory, cheesy mushrooms on toast are like an open-faced sandwich that complements pea soup perfectly. Sautéed mushrooms with garlic and Swiss cheese on rustic bread create a rich and umami-packed pairing that’s both comforting and flavorful.
Explore the recipe for garlic Swiss mushrooms on toast
Grilled Halloumi Sandwich
For a Mediterranean-inspired pairing, a grilled halloumi sandwich is a fantastic choice. The salty, crispy halloumi cheese, combined with a hearty ciabatta roll and fresh toppings like tomato and balsamic glaze, makes for a simple yet irresistible sandwich that balances the richness of pea soup.
Find the recipe for grilled halloumi sandwiches
Fresh and Light: Salads to Serve Alongside
The classic soup and salad combination is popular for a reason. A fresh salad provides a light and refreshing counterpoint to the hearty nature of pea soup, creating a balanced and satisfying meal.
Lemon Chickpea Arugula Salad
This vegan arugula salad is quick, easy, and bursting with bright flavors. The peppery arugula, warm lemon rosemary chickpeas, creamy avocado, and crunchy radish create a vibrant and texturally interesting salad that cleanses the palate and complements pea soup beautifully.
Discover the recipe for lemon chickpea arugula salad
Golden Beet Salad
A golden beet salad adds a touch of elegance and earthy sweetness to your meal. Combining golden beets, goat cheese, beet greens, arugula, and a tarragon vinaigrette, this salad is full of complex flavors that harmonize beautifully with the savory pea soup. It’s a visually appealing and delicious pairing.
Explore the recipe for golden beet salad with arugula and goat cheese
FAQs About Pea Soup Pairings
What flavors complement pea soup?
Pea soup’s hearty and savory flavor profile is wonderfully complemented by textures like crunch and crispiness, and flavors that are bright, fresh, or slightly tangy. Think of pairings that offer a contrast to the soup’s richness.
What is the best bread to serve with pea soup?
Rye bread is a top choice for pea soup due to its robust and slightly tangy flavor, which stands up well to the soup’s richness. Other great options include crusty sourdough, focaccia, or any hearty bread that’s good for dipping.
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