A hearty side dish helps fulfil anyone’s hunger, especially when there’s split pea soup on the menu! Take a look at some of these scrumptious side dishes, for whenever you’re wondering what could possible taste good with a bowl of thick soup!

Table of Contents
- What is Split Pea Soup?
- What Goes with Split Pea Soup? 7 Best Side Dishes!
- Making Split Pea Soup
- What to Serve With Split Pea Soup – Lots of Yum!
- FAQs – What to Serve With Split Pea Soup
What is Split Pea Soup?
Split pea soup is a traditional dish of Holland. It’s a soup made from dried peas, such as the split pea, and is often greyish-green or yellow.
Traditionally, split pea soup is always served with a slice of rye bread topped with ham.
However, don’t let this deter you from trying a variety of delicious side dishes, to create the perfect addition to a simple meal!

What Goes with Split Pea Soup? 7 Best Side Dishes!
There are many types of side dishes that you can serve alongside pea soup. It’s important to opt for side dishes that impart strong flavors, promising a delightful match with mild flavors from split pea soup.
Here are some varieties for you to try:
- Loaded baked sweet potato
- Garlic bread
- Coleslaw
- Dinner rolls
- Beet salad with goat cheese
- Sweet potato fries
- Roasted green beans
Loaded Baked Sweet Potato
Loaded baked sweet potato is incredibly filling, and super easy to make.
This recipe requires black beans, corn, and lots of cheese. Simply bake the sweet potato, and load with your favorite toppings!
The beans are an incredible source of protein, while the cheese and corn enhance the flavors of your dish.
Garlic Bread
The most obvious accompaniment to serve alongside split pea soup would be a type of bread. Specifically garlic bread.
The presence of garlic in the bread imparts a rich, savory flavor whilst eating split pea soup.
Split pea soup is thick, which makes garlic bread the perfect candidate to serve with split pea. Simply dunking your garlic bread into your soup is one of the many ways you can enjoy this delicious meal.
Coleslaw
Coleslaw is a popular side dish that pairs well with just about anything. It’s super easy to make, and the crisp, cold vegetables will contrast beautifully with your thick split pea soup.
With just a few simple ingredients required to make a tasty side dish like this one, you’re in for a treat!
Combine mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, and salt for a scrumptious coleslaw dressing. Include your favorite shredded veggies for a crunchy texture, and sprinkle chili powder for a spicy kick. Mix it up by putting sambal oelek!
Dinner Rolls
Thick soups like split pea soup, are perfect when served with warm dinner rolls. They’re super easy to prepare, and you can use them as a dipping tool to mop up all the wonderful soupy flavors!
Beet Salad with Goat Cheese
Beet salad is a scrumptious side dish, loaded with incredible flavors to serve with any main meal.
With goat cheese, chopped beets, and a tangy vinaigrette, you’re all set! Why not elevate this side dish with some chopped almonds or sesame seeds?
Keep this salad refrigerated until your split pea soup is ready!
Sweet Potato Fries
French fries are the perfect solution for anyone wondering what to eat with split pea soup. But sweet potato fries are even better!
- Simply slice your sweet potatoes, and soak them in water.
- Drain and dry, then toss them in a bag of seasonings, consisting of olive oil, cornstarch, garlic powder, chili powder and pepper.
- Spread these delectable seasoned sweet potato fries on a baking sheet, ensuring that they aren’t touching each other.
- Bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Add your favorite dipping sauce for an even better experience!
Roasted Green Beans
Roasted green beans are a delicious alternative to the normal steamed version.
And if you’re looking for a light and a refreshing side dish to have with split pea soup, then these delectable green beans are calling your name!

Making Split Pea Soup
For a comforting split pea soup recipe, take a look at the method below:
Ingredients
- 1 pound green split peas
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large onion peeled and chopped
- 2 ribs of celery
- 1 large leek chopped
- 1 large carrot chopped
- 1 large clove of garlic
- 2 ham hocks
- Salt
- Fresh ground pepper
- Chopped parsley or chives
Preparation
- Rinse and drain the peas.
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot on medium-high heat.
- Add chopped onion, celery, carrot, and leek.
- Cook for 5 minutes, then add the garlic and cook for another minute.
- Place the peas into the pot along with the vegetables, ham hock, and 2 and a half cups of water.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer. If there’s any froth on the surface of the broth, scoop it off with a spoon and throw it in the sink.
- Cover and simmer for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
- Remove the ham hock, and puree the soup using a blender.
- Meanwhile cut the outer skin from the ham hocks and remove the meat from the bones. Dice the meat and drop this into the pureed soup.
- Return the soup to the pot and heat once more.
- Add salt, pepper, then garnish with parsley or chives.
What to Serve With Split Pea Soup – Lots of Yum!
There’s no limit to what goes well with split pea soup. From a plate of cold veggies, to warm crusty bread, there’s always something that’ll delight your taste buds!
FAQs – What to Serve With Split Pea Soup
What Does Split Pea Soup go Good With?
The perfect side dish for split pea soup include: grilled cheese sandwich, potato and green bean salad, wilted spinach salad with bacon, baked stuffed potatoes, and more.
What Kind of Bread do You Serve With Split Pea Soup?
Traditional split pea soup is normally served with sliced rye bread topped with ham.
How do You Spruce up Split Pea Soup?
Add a dribble of lemon zest to spruce up your split pea soup, and have a tongue tingling experience.