How To Thicken Pea Soup (13 Simple Ways)

Knowing how to thicken pea soup is part of the trick to making a hearty, delicious meal.

With the right techniques and ingredients, you can transform this classic dish from a light appetizer into a lusciously creamy main course.

In this article, I’ll share 13 simple ways for thickening up pea soup.

From potato starch and tapioca flour to instant mashed potatoes and cornstarch, I’ve got time-honored tricks that will “beef” up your broth in no time.

Whether you prefer your recipes vegan or vegetarian-friendly or want something with creamier texture, there’s an option on here sure to make you go “mmmmm….!”

Get ready – it’s time to get cooking!

Read Also:

• 10 Ways to Thicken Soup Without Flour
• Pea Soup Wine Pairing – Best Wines for Pea Soups

How To Thicken Pea Soup

Pea Soup is a delicious and nutritious dish, but sometimes it can be too thin.

If you’re looking for ways to thicken your pea soup, here are thirteen simple methods that will help you get the right consistency:

1. Add Pureed Vegetables

If you want to add some sweetness and thickness to your pea soup without making it too rich, then pureed vegetables are the way to go!

Not only will they give your soup a wonderful creamy texture (without all the cream), but they’ll also add a variety of nutrients.

Some delicious options include cauliflower, potatoes, carrots, or even root vegetables like turnips or rutabagas.

Plus, if you use frozen mixed veggies from the store, you can make this addition to your pea soup in a flash!

Just thaw them out for about 10 minutes and then pop them in the blender until lightly mashed.

The last step is just stirring the mixture into your simmering soup. It’s so simple that even novice cooks can take their soups up a level with minimal effort.

2. Mash Some Of The Peas

Adding a bit of body to your pea soup doesn’t have to be difficult.

All you have to do is mash some of the peas. It only takes a few moments and it makes all the difference!

Mash some of the cooked peas with a fork, potato masher, or even puree them in your blender for an even thicker texture.

This will give your pea soup added bulk without sacrificing its creamy goodness.

3. Mix In Some Dairy Products

If you’re looking to give your pea soup an extra boost of creamy goodness, then it’s time to grab some dairy products.

Whether it’s cream cheese, Greek yogurt, sour cream or even creme fraiche – a dollop will do the trick.

Mixing in some dairy products gives your soup that perfect balance of richness and nutty flavor without making it too thick.

Plus, this little tweak can easily be customized depending on what flavors you want – which makes for a really versatile meal!

But let’s not forget about all the nutritional benefits from adding dairy too.

You’ll get those much-needed vitamins and minerals like calcium and protein along with the deliciousness we just talked about – so win-win!

So go ahead and make pea soup a part of your regular rotation because you won’t regret adding some dairy products into the mix.

4. Add Some Cornstarch

To get that desired great texture and consistency, try adding some cornstarch to your soup!

Simply mix together equal parts of cornstarch and cold water, then stir in into the simmering soup until it is thickened to your satisfaction.

Adding just a tablespoon or two will do wonders without changing the flavor of this classic dish too much.

5. Mix In Some Flour

Flour acts as a binding agent and will thicken any liquid medium like soups. It can also adjust the flavors to make your dish more savory.

Be sure to use all-purpose white flour, spooning it out slowly into a small bowl while stirring with a whisk until all lumps are broken up before adding it to the soup pot.

This trick should be used sparingly though; too much flour can give you an eraser-like texture and taste after it thickens!

Experiment to find the right balance that works for you!

6. Blend In Some Tapioca Starch

Tapioca starch is a white, powdery substance made from the root of the cassava plant.

It’s often used as a thickening agent in soups and sauces, giving them a creamy texture without adding any flavor.

How To Use It

1. To thicken pea soup with tapioca starch, first mix 1 tablespoon of tapioca starch with 2 tablespoons of cold water until it forms a paste.
2. Then add this mixture to your simmering soup and stir until it has dissolved completely.
3. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes or so before serving.

The tapioca starch will help give your pea soup a thicker consistency without changing its flavor profile.

7. Use Uncooked Rice

Uncooked rice is a simple and effective way to thicken pea soup.

Rice absorbs liquid as it cooks, which helps to create a thicker consistency in the soup.

The uncooked rice should be added at the beginning of cooking and simmered until tender.

How To Use It

1. To use uncooked rice to thicken pea soup, add 1/4 cup of long-grain white or brown rice for every 4 cups of broth or stock used in the recipe.
2. Simmer the soup over low heat for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is cooked through and has thickened the soup. If desired, you can also add additional seasonings such as herbs or spices during this time.
3. Once cooked, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed before serving.

8. Use A Slow Cooker

A slow cooker is an electric kitchen appliance that cooks food at a low temperature over a long period of time.

Slow cookers are great for making soups, stews, and other dishes that require long cooking times.

How To Do It

1. To make pea soup thicker in the slow cooker, start by sautéing onions and garlic in a pan with some butter or oil until they are soft and fragrant.
2. Then add the peas to the slow cooker along with broth, herbs, spices, and any other ingredients you want to use.
3. Cook on low heat for 8-10 hours or on high heat for 4-6 hours.
4. When it’s done cooking, remove the lid and stir in some cornstarch or flour to thicken the soup. You can also puree part of the soup with an immersion blender before adding thickener if desired.
5. Serve hot with crusty bread or crackers!

9. Blend The Soup

Blending the soup is a technique used to thicken pea soup without adding extra ingredients.

This method involves using an immersion blender or food processor to puree some of the cooked peas, creating a thicker consistency and more flavorful broth.

How To Do It

1. To blend the soup, start by heating it on the stovetop until it reaches a simmer.
2. Then, use an immersion blender or food processor to puree about half of the cooked peas in the pot.
3. Once blended, stir in any additional seasonings and let simmer for another 5-10 minutes before serving.
4. If desired, you can also add cream or butter at this stage for added richness and flavor.

10. Refrigerating The Soup

Refrigerating pea soup is a simple way to thicken it without adding extra ingredients.

This method works by allowing the soup to cool in the refrigerator, which causes some of the liquid to evaporate and thicken the soup.

How To Do It

To refrigerate your pea soup, start by transferring it into an airtight container and placing it in the refrigerator for at least four hours.

After that time has passed, check on your soup and see if it has thickened up enough for you. If not, leave it in for another hour or two until you reach your desired consistency.

Once you’re happy with how thick your pea soup is, serve and enjoy!

11. Adding More Split Peas

Split peas are a type of legume that have been dried and split in half.

They are high in protein, fiber, and other essential vitamins and minerals. Split peas can be used to thicken soups, stews, and sauces.

How To Do It

1. Start by soaking the split peas overnight in cold water. This will help soften them so they cook faster.
2. The next day, drain the soaked split peas and add them to your soup pot with enough water or broth to cover them by at least two inches.
3. Simmer for 45 minutes or until the split peas are tender.
4. Add additional seasonings as desired before serving.

12. Adding Instant Potato Flakes

Instant potato flakes are a convenient way to thicken pea soup. They are made from dehydrated potatoes that have been cooked, mashed, and dried into flakes.

The flakes can be reconstituted with hot water or milk to make mashed potatoes, but they can also be used as a thickening agent in soups and stews.

How To Do It

1. To use instant potato flakes to thicken pea soup, start by adding 1/4 cup of the flakes for every 4 cups of soup.
2. Stir the mixture until the flakes dissolve completely and let it simmer for 10 minutes or so before serving.
3. If you find that your soup is still too thin after this step, add more potato flakes in small increments until you reach your desired consistency.

13. Add Some Mashed Potatoes

Adding mashed potatoes to pea soup is a great way to thicken it up and add some extra flavor. The potatoes will also help give the soup a creamy texture, making it more satisfying and filling.

How To Do It

1. To make your pea soup thicker with mashed potatoes, start by boiling the potatoes until they are soft enough to mash.
2. Once they are cooked through, mash them with butter or cream and season with salt and pepper.
3. Then add the mashed potatoes to your simmering pot of pea soup and stir until combined.
4. Simmer for an additional 10 minutes before serving.
5. You can also add other ingredients such as bacon or ham for added flavor if desired.