Do you have to soak split peas a day before you cook with them?

Question

I want to make split pea soup, but the recipie does not mention if I should soak the peas overnight. It calls for dried peas, but I am not sure if it is considered "common knowledge" that you should do this or not. Does anyone know??

Answer 1

They take a LONG time to cook til tender. Soaking overnight helps, but you can go ahead and cook them without the soaking. You'll just have to cook quite a bit longer until they are tender. Rinse them first, though.

Answer 2

I've been cooking this recipe for years and do not pre-soak the split peas, but I do wash them. I do cook the soup on a low heat, covered, for at least two hours. It's always worked for me and the peas, on occasion become mushy, so one doesn't have to soak them.

Answer 3

I have never ever soaked split peas over night. Just pick them over and rinse them well. My grandmother says the only thing you need to do is to skim off the foam that develops as the split peas boil. Good luck with your recipe.

Answer 4

Have been a chef for over 21 years...I do not soak my split peas... they may take slightly longer to cook but it makes no difference in the flavor !!

What works for one person though sometimes doesn't work for another simply because they don't want it work bad enough !

Happy souping ! : )

Answer 5

Soak them overnight.
If you start cooking with them before they're soft, they may stay hard due to interactions with other ingredients.

By the way, if they're very old, they may not soften overnight - try adding a couple of pinches of baking soda to the water while they're soaking.

Answer 6

I would soak them at least overnight in hot water with them covered.

Answer 7

soak overnight

Answer 8

You do not really need to. They are a soft bean and cook quikly.

Answer 9

yes..usually true with any dry bean