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    Home » Tutorials » Serving Tips

    50+ Best Side Dishes to Serve with Split Pea Soup

    Published: Nov 14, 2022 · Modified: Jan 10, 2024 by Tami McBride · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Wondering what to serve with split pea soup? Enjoy this list of bread, sandwiches, salads, finger foods, toppings, and desserts to pair with split pea soup.

    Bowl of split pea soup with sausage and a side of bread and butter on a plate.

    There are few things more comforting than a bowl of split pea soup when there is a chill in the air. But when soup alone is not satisfying enough, jazz up your meal with fantastic side dishes.

    What are the best side dishes for split pea soup? The best sides for split pea soup are bread, sandwiches, salads, and finger foods. Main dish meats and sweet desserts also pair nicely with the soup.

    Check out all these useful serving tips.

    Try the best split pea soup recipe simmered with a leftover ham bone. You will be drooling before dinner is over.

    Jump to:
    • Best Bread for Split Pea Soup
    • Garlic Bread
    • Skillet Cornbread
    • Dinner Rolls
    • Rye Bread
    • Sourdough Bread
    • Potato Rolls
    • Fluffy Buttermilk Biscuits with Pancake Mix
    • Best Sandwiches for Split Pea Soup
    • Reuben Sandwich
    • Baked Turkey Sliders
    • Avocado Toast
    • Instant Pot Chicken Salad
    • Best Salads for Split Pea Soup
    • Layered Cornbread Salad
    • Beet Salad
    • Baked Carrots with Brown Sugar Glaze
    • Kale & Brussels Sprout Salad
    • Asian Salad
    • Panzanella Salad
    • Quinoa Black Bean Salad
    • Coleslaw
    • Best Finger Foods for Split Pea Soup
    • Copycat TGIF Potato Skins
    • Baked Mac and Cheese Balls
    • Sweet Potato Fries
    • Popcorn
    • Falafel
    • Crackers
    • Best Meat to Serve as a Side to Split Pea Soup
    • Shrimp
    • Pulled Pork
    • Chicken Wings
    • Fish Sticks
    • Chicken Tenders
    • Best Desserts to go with Split Pea Soup
    • Easy Leftover Cake Bread Pudding Recipe
    • Chewy Snickerdoodles without Cream of Tartar
    • Hot Chocolate with Chocolate Chips
    • Arizona Sunshine Lemon Pie
    • Semi-Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
    • Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake
    • Cherry Fluff Salad
    • Blueberry Muffins
    • Hershey Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • Blueberry Pie (with canned filling & premade crust)
    • Best Meat to Add to Split Pea Soup
    • Best Toppings for Split Pea Soup
    • Looking for More Side Dish Ideas
    • Comments

    Best Bread for Split Pea Soup

    Bread and soup go hand in hand. Here are some of the best bread choices to serve with split pea soup.

    1

    Garlic Bread

    Garlic bread is a simple and delicious side dish that can be made by smearing butter and garlic on French bread, a roll, or a breadstick. The crunchy toasted texture and garlic flavor next to the soft split pea soup is heavenly.

    2

    Skillet Cornbread

    Skillet cornbread can be sweet or savory and is always a little crispy. It is a traditional dish to enjoy any time of year to enhance your split pea soup meal.

    3

    Dinner Rolls

    Dinner rolls are a traditional dish to serve with any soup. Rolls can be made ahead of time and quickly reheated. They are best when brushed with melted butter just before baking in the oven.

    4

    Rye Bread

    Rye bread is a denser, darker bread made with rye flour. It has a deep, rich flavor that pairs well with a hearty soup. Serve the rye bread with a slice of ham on top.

    5

    Sourdough Bread

    Acidic and fresh, sourdough bread is leavened without yeast. Serve sourdough bread or rolls with split pea soup for a nice flavor balance.

    Pick a loaf up at your grocery store bakery if you don’t have time to make it from scratch.

    6

    Potato Rolls

    Potato rolls are soft, pillowy, and perfect when slathered with butter. They are made with real mashed potatoes. Make a dozen for dinner with your hot split pea soup.

    7

    Fluffy Buttermilk Biscuits with Pancake Mix

    Buttermilk biscuits are the clear choice for split pea soup. Light, flaky, and buttery, serve them warm and fresh with your soup.

    You will like this super easy buttermilk biscuit recipe made from pancake mix.

    Grab this slow cooker split pea soup. Make it with green split peas and ham. Set it and forget it until it is time for dinner.

    Best Sandwiches for Split Pea Soup

    Enjoy this selection of sandwiches, designed to complement the heartiness of split pea soup. From classic combinations to gourmet creations, these sandwiches offer something for everyone.

    8

    Reuben Sandwich

    Corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and thousand island dressing sandwiched between two toasted slices of rye bread make the ultimate Reuben sandwich.

    Go ahead. Dip it in your soup. You will love the taste.

    9

    Baked Turkey Sliders

    Slider recipes are a great way to enjoy classic split pea soup. The Hawaiian buns add sweetness to the savory flavors of the sliders.

    Cut the sliders apart and serve alongside a bowl of soup. Grab this recipe for turkey sliders and see all the bun choices for the sandwich.

    10

    Avocado Toast

    Creamy avocado and crunchy toast make a wonderful side for hearty split pea soup. The texture contrasts between toast and soup will make you want to come back for more.

    11

    Instant Pot Chicken Salad

    When your split pea soup needs more protein, pair it with a chicken salad sandwich. These cold sandwiches are usually served on a croissant. But there are more bread choices for chicken salad if you prefer.

    The light, flaky croissant sandwich is a delicious flavor contrast to the warm, soft hot pea soup.

    Best Salads for Split Pea Soup

    Wondering what salad to serve with split pea soup? From crisp and green to spicy Asian, you will find the perfect salad here.

    12

    Layered Cornbread Salad

    This layered cornbread salad recipe without beans will be your new go-to potluck dish. It is a vibrant, balanced, textured salad sure to join all your family favorites. Make it easily by using leftover cornbread or boxed Jiffy mix.

    13

    Beet Salad

    Beet salad is a delicious and colorful side dish that can be enhanced with different toppings. Feta cheese, sunflower seeds, and green apples are a few toppings to try.

    Beet salad is best when refrigerated before serving it with split pea soup.

    14

    Baked Carrots with Brown Sugar Glaze

    If you thought roasted veggies didn’t go with soup, think again. These brown sugar-glazed roasted carrots are sweet and savory – the perfect combination with split pea soup's savory flavor.

    15

    Kale & Brussels Sprout Salad

    Shredded kale, Brussels sprouts, crunchy pecans, and sweet Craisins make up this salad that is drizzled with a creamy maple vinaigrette. You will want a second helping of this Cracker Barrel copycat kale salad.

    16

    Asian Salad

    Cabbage, shredded carrots, and sugar snap peas are the main ingredients in this Asian salad. Drizzle with a sesame ginger dressing and sprinkle crunchy chow Mein noodles on top.

    Serve with soup for a satisfying meal.

    17

    Panzanella Salad

    Panzanella is made of rustic bread cubes, chopped vegetables, and red onions drizzled with olive oil and vinegar. It is an easy salad recipe and an interesting side to serve with split pea soup.

    Serve it chilled or at room temperature, depending on your preference.

    18

    Quinoa Black Bean Salad

    Quinoa black bean salad is the perfect dish to serve with split pea soup. Black beans, feta cheese, and plenty of roasted veggies make the salad hearty and filling. But it is light enough to not overpower the soup.

    Here are great instructions to cook black beans from scratch.

    19

    Coleslaw

    Coleslaw is a popular side dish that pairs well with just about anything. It can be served cold or warm and is great for hot soup. Use different spices to flavor the slaw, depending on your taste preference.

    Best Finger Foods for Split Pea Soup

    Dive into bite-sized delights for an exciting, shareable element to your meal. Be inspired by these suggestions perfect for pairing with your soup.

    20

    Copycat TGIF Potato Skins

    Crispy, cheesy potato skins are just the food to complement a soup with tender split peas. The skins make good use of leftover baked potatoes.

    They are the perfect size and shape to dip. So go ahead and make a batch to go with your large soup pot.

    21

    Baked Mac and Cheese Balls

    Eat some pasta with your split pea soup. Baked mac and cheese balls are a tasty side dish. They are just the right size to pick up and dip.

    22

    Sweet Potato Fries

    Sweet potato fries are a great option to pair with split pea soup. They are easy to prepare and simple to season with salt and pepper.

    Or sprinkle with red pepper flakes, garlic powder, or cumin for extra flavor.

    23

    Popcorn

    Popcorn is my go-to soup side when I forget to plan for a soup side dish. A batch pops in my whirly popper in about five minutes.

    Then my flavor options are endless with melted butter, spices, and seasonings.

    24

    Falafel

    Falafel is a dish made from ground chickpeas. Shaped like balls or patties, they are a great dipping food. They are also a unique finger food to serve with soup.

    25

    Crackers

    Remember to grab a package of crackers. Any soft, crumbly cracker is a good choice for soup. Here are a few favorites.

    • Saltine crackers. Buy here.
    • Oyster crackers. Buy here.
    • Ritz crackers. Buy here.
    • Town House crackers. Buy here.

    Best Meat to Serve as a Side to Split Pea Soup

    Looking for tasty meat to serve with split pea soup? The best meat for split pea soup is beef, chicken, fish, and ham. Check out this list.

    26

    Shrimp

    Serving shrimp with split pea soup can give your meal a Cajun feel. Cook up spicy Cajun shrimp in about five minutes.

    Then serve it on top of your soup or as a side dish.

    You may also be interested in Cajun 15 bean soup. It has sausage, shrimp, and okra for a true Cajun feel.

    27

    Pulled Pork

    Whether you serve a helping of pulled pork as a side or on top of split pea soup, you will love the combination of flavors.

    Try a pulled pork sandwich and split pea soup combo. It will hit the spot.

    28

    Chicken Wings

    Chicken wings are a fantastic side for just about every soup. Make them hot or sweet. They will be the missing link to complete your meal.

    29

    Fish Sticks

    Alone, fish sticks may not fill you up. But pair it with split pea soup’s hearty recipe, and you have a winner.

    30

    Chicken Tenders

    Grill a batch of chicken tenders while you cook a pot of soup. Chicken and split pea soup are a sure-fire combination.

    Best Desserts to go with Split Pea Soup

    End your meal on a sweet note. What are the best desserts for split pea soup? Cookies, pudding, pie, and cinnamon rolls are a few of the excellent choices available.

    31

    Easy Leftover Cake Bread Pudding Recipe

    Warm, caramelly bread pudding is the perfect choice to pair with split pea soup in cold weather. You can use any cubed bread to make the pudding.

    But if you have leftover cake, it is amazing to use in this cake bread pudding recipe.

    32

    Chewy Snickerdoodles without Cream of Tartar

    Nothing says welcome to cold weather like a bowl of soup and a snickerdoodle cookie.

    Out of cream of tartar? No worries. You will love this baking powder snickerdoodle recipe. And for more seasonal cookies, try pumpkin snickerdoodles with pumpkin spice.

    33

    Hot Chocolate with Chocolate Chips

    Hot chocolate is the perfect drink to warm up on a cold day. Split pea soup is delicious served with hot chocolate made with milk and chocolate chips.

    34

    Arizona Sunshine Lemon Pie

    Meyer lemons are in season during cool weather. Why not blend up a delicious blender lemon pie? It will be the finale after a large pot of hot soup.

    Use lemons with thin skin, or the pie may be too bitter.

    35

    Semi-Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

    Warm, gooey cinnamon rolls are just the dessert bread to match up with split pea soup. Don’t worry about starting from scratch if you don’t want to.

    Follow a few easy steps, and your canned cinnamon rolls will taste homemade. You gotta try these amazing rolls.

    36

    Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake

    Make a chocolate chip Bundt cake when you need a warm, no-fuss cake. Start with a yellow cake mix and doctor it up before throwing it in the oven. A simple glaze icing is all you need to give the cake the final touch.

    Now eat your soup, so you can enjoy a slice.

    37

    Cherry Fluff Salad

    Maybe you never thought about pairing cherry fluff with split peas. But today is your day to change that. Light, airy cherry fluff is a dessert salad that is surprisingly good with split pea soup. Give it a try.

    38

    Blueberry Muffins

    Dive from savory split pea depths into a sweet blueberry splash. The muffins? Golden, crumbly, and brimming with juicy berries. Each bite is moist and tender. One just might not be enough.

    39

    Hershey Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Ready for a chocolate chip thrill ride? Make a batch of warm, gooey chocolate chip cookies. Because chocolate is a fantanstic ending to just about any meal.

    40

    Blueberry Pie (with canned filling & premade crust)

    It's pie time! Trade your savory soup spoon for a sweet slice of bliss. This easy semi-homemade pie is bursting with blueberries. A slice is the perfect meal finale.

    Best Meat to Add to Split Pea Soup

    When you want to flavor split pea soup with meat, you can never go wrong with the salty flavors of ham. But turkey, chicken, and sausage are all good choices too.

    Ham Bone, Smoked Ham Hock, or Chopped Ham

    Ingredients for split pea soup in a pressure cooker with ham bone.

    A ham bone makes the most flavorful split pea soup. Once you try it, you will never want to use anything else. It can turn a simple recipe into a masterpiece.

    But you probably don’t always have a ham bone around. In that case, use chopped ham in split pea soup instead.

    Turkey Bone

    You may have some turkey bones leftover after Thanksgiving. Don't throw them out. Instead boil them with your soup. The flavor will seep in, along with a little bit of meat.

    And, if you have leftover turkey, use it to make turkey soup.

    Sausage

    No one ever said “no” to sausage in soup. When you add it, it feels like a missing ingredient just came home.

    Ground Turkey

    Ground turkey isn’t just for chili. Add it to split pea soup for a hearty turkey vegetable version.

    Grilled Chicken

    Sliced chicken breast that was cooked on the stove.

    Making grilled chicken on the stove without drying it out is easy. Especially when you follow a few tasty tricks.

    After the soup has finished cooking, chop the chicken and add it to your soup recipe. Just heat it until the chicken is warm and serve it right away.

    Best Toppings for Split Pea Soup

    Crispy bacon on a cutting board.

    Bacon

    Every soup tastes better with crispy bacon crumbled on top. Try it with split pea soup, and you won’t be disappointed. Cook the bacon in the oven for an easy, hands-free method.

    Cheese

    Cheese and split peas are a fabulous pairing. Top your soup with shredded Parmesan or cheddar. Or crumble feta, Cotija, or goat cheese on top.

    Sour Cream

    Spoon a dollop of sour cream on top of your soup to give it a creamy vibe.

    Fresh Parsley

    Parsley is a popular soup garnish. But many herbs will taste good too. Try rosemary, oregano, or thyme leaves. Chopped chives are also delicious.

    Roasted Chickpeas

    These crunchy beans can be flavored with different spice combinations, making them a perfect topping for any soup. Buy here.

    Croutons

    Garlic croutons make a tasty garnish for split pea soup. Season the croutons with garlic powder, Parmesan cheese, or cracked pepper.

    Drop a few yummy croutons in your soup to perk it up. Buy here.

    Looking for More Side Dish Ideas

    • Grab a list of the best sides for butternut squash soup. If you prefer only bread sides, you will like this post on breads to pair with butternut squash soup.
    • Get pumpkin soup sides, including best breads, best sandwiches, and best toppings.
    • Read up on the best sides for white chicken chili.
    • You will like this list of the best dishes to pair with turkey soup.

    Did you like this post? Then let's be social. FOLLOW ME on INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to keep up with the latest happenings.

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