Boiled Yellow Split Peas

These legumes are flavorful and healthy, but require soaking.

Ingredients

  • ½ pound (225 grams / 1¼ cups) dry yellow split peas
  • 3–4 cups (¾–1 liter) potable (drinking) water
  • ⅛ teaspoon baking soda, if needed (see tips)
Boiled Yellow Split Peas

Photo: Haydn Blackey from Cardiff, Wales / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0

Procedure

Quick method

  1. Pick over beans, then add hot water.
  2. Boil for two minutes.
  3. Set aside for 1 hour.
  4. Drain and rinse.
  5. Simmer until tender.

Overnight method

  1. Pick over beans, then add cold water.
  2. Soak overnight, or 6 hours minimum.
  3. Drain and rinse.
  4. Simmer until tender.

Notes, tips, and variations

  • As beans are a natural product, pick over beans, discarding any stones, dirt particles, or discolored beans before soaking or cooking.
  • If you have hard water in your area, adding ⅛ teaspoon baking soda will reduce the cooking time.
  • Make sure water covers beans by at least 2 inches (5 centimeters), check on water level every little while, and don’t let the top beans get above the water.