French-Canadian Habitant Pea Soup Recipe 2019 - Savory Is a Must! - eSoupRecipes (2024)

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French-Canadian Habitant Pea Soup Recipe 2019 - Savory Is a Must! - eSoupRecipes (1)

My wife and I were vacationing in southern Manitoba a few years ago and for part of the trip stayed in a yurt at Spruce Woods Provincial Park.

We had a small camp stove with us to prepare our meals in the park, and in one of the local grocery stores found a large can of Habitant Pea Soup.

We both love split pea soup, so I bought the can of Habitant and later heated it up for a quick lunch. It wasn’t “homemade” good, but for a canned soup it tasted much better than I expected. And everything tastes better when you’re cooking and eating outdoors.

French-Canadian Habitant Pea Soup Recipe 2019 - Savory Is a Must! - eSoupRecipes (2)

French-Canadian Pea Soup

I had made split pea soup many times before, but it was always Swedish style, where split pea soup is a national institution. In Sweden, pea soup can be found on tables across the country on Thursdays, when it is traditionally served. I later learned that pea soup has a history in French-Canadian cooking, where the hearty soup has long been served in kitchens and restaurants across Quebec.

What makes the French-Canadian version so tasty is the use of savory, a very underrated herb that doesn’t get the attention in the States that it does across the northern border. And where I would use a piece of ham for Swedish-style pea soup, for the Habitant version I use salt pork. Because this recipe uses water and not broth or stock, it stands up to heavier doses of dried herbs for flavoring.

How to make Habitant Pea Soup, French Canadian-style

1 pound yellow split peas (there is no difference in flavor between yellow and green split peas, but yellow peas are traditional in Quebec)
1/2 pound salt pork, cut into 1/2-inch dice
2 quarts water
1 medium onion, diced
2 carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon dried savory
1 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste

  • Rinse the peas under cold water and put them into a large Dutch oven or soup pot and cover them with cold water and allow to soak overnight
  • Drain the peas and rinse again
  • Place the salt pork pieces at the bottom of the Dutch oven/soup pot
  • Add the onion, carrots, celery and peas
  • Sprinkle savory over everything, add water and bay leaf
  • Bring to a boil then reduce heat to simmer and cover partially for 1 hour
  • Stir occasionally and skim off any foam with a slotted spoon
  • Remove cover and cook for another 45 minutes to 1 hour, until peas are tender (add more water as needed)
  • Season with salt and pepper and serve

If you want to finish the soup with flair, try a bit of chopped fresh parsley and/or a sprinkle of red wine vinegar.

I would love to hear from anyone with French-Canadian roots who grew up eating this soup. Maybe you have an heirloom recipe that beats them all!

Looking for the perfect pot to cook up your next batch of soup? I recommend the Lodge Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven. It comes in 11 different colors and is an excellent value for the price.

Related Posts

  1. French-Canadian Habitant Pea Soup Recipe 2019 - Savory Is a Must! - eSoupRecipes (7)Georgianna Clark January 25, 2020

    I love this soup . It’s the ONLY pea soup I like. I live in northeast New York and just learned that my local store (tops at zip 12972) no longer4 carries this . . . I wonder if its available in the NYS area ? near Plattsburgh (12901) area???

    Reply

    1. French-Canadian Habitant Pea Soup Recipe 2019 - Savory Is a Must! - eSoupRecipes (8)Todd Post authorJanuary 26, 2020

      Hi. I agree – for a canned soup, the Habitant Pea Soup is one of the best and has a very distinctive flavor and texture. After a bit of research, it appears that Campbell’s is no longer distributing the soup to the United States. That leaves you with two options – either purchase online from a seller on Amazon or cross the border (into Quebec in your case) to buy the soup. It’s very expensive on Amazon – roughly $13/can and on up. There is an IGA in Lacolle, Quebec (https://www.iga.net/fr/recherche_de_magasin/magasin/0379?utm_source=G&utm_medium=lpm&utm_campaign=SobeysMontreal) that’s less than 1 hour drive – straight north on Interstate 87 – from your zip code. You can find the real deal there (https://www.iga.net/en/product/soupfrench-canadian-pea/00000_000000006321131111) for about $2/can figuring in the current US-Canada exchange rate. Grab a big shopping bag and cross the border to stock up!

      Reply

  2. French-Canadian Habitant Pea Soup Recipe 2019 - Savory Is a Must! - eSoupRecipes (9)Mike April 15, 2020

    My mother was French Canadian and we ate lots of this soup!
    However true French Canadian pea soup uses WHOLE Yellow peas. Habitant brand pea soup also uses WHOLE yellow peas. Otherwise the soup turns to mush

    Reply

    1. French-Canadian Habitant Pea Soup Recipe 2019 - Savory Is a Must! - eSoupRecipes (10)Todd Post authorApril 16, 2020

      You’re absolutely right. Whole yellow peas are the way to go, if you can find them. I like to use Lars Yellow Peas – they are whole peas used for a similar soup that’s very popular in Sweden. In fact, it’s something of a tradition in the country to have pea soup on Thursdays. They work great for French Canadian Pea Soup, too!

      Reply

  3. French-Canadian Habitant Pea Soup Recipe 2019 - Savory Is a Must! - eSoupRecipes (11)diane l trudeau January 8, 2021

    My paternal grandparents emigrated from Canada-my dad loved this soup-always had it in our house-I loved it too-used to get for under $2 a can at my local market-haven’t been there since Covid so don’t know if they still carry it-Vermont Country Store had it also-very expensive-all their goods are-not there anymore-will try this over the weekend-need the savory-have all else-thanks

    Reply

    1. French-Canadian Habitant Pea Soup Recipe 2019 - Savory Is a Must! - eSoupRecipes (12)Todd Post authorJanuary 8, 2021

      Hi Diane,
      As far as I know, the Habitant brand of French Canadian Pea Soup is no longer available at retail grocers or stores in the U.S. It is still being distributed in Canada by Campbell’s (https://www.campbellsoup.ca/product/habitant-french-canadian-pea-soup/#) , but I haven’t found a source to buy direct. If you travel to Canada in the future, I would recommend stocking up! Until then, I hope you enjoy the recipe I provided. Let me know how it turns out.

      Best wishes,
      Todd

      Reply

  4. French-Canadian Habitant Pea Soup Recipe 2019 - Savory Is a Must! - eSoupRecipes (13)William (Guillaume) Camp January 25, 2022

    Love your recipe! I am a French Canadian from just south of the border in Clinton County, NY. Our family emigrated from Chambly, Québec in 1837– after the failed uprising inLower Canada. Mimère (grandma in English) made her own: very similar to yours, except she used both salt pork and either a ham bone or a large ham hock, depending on what we had. You must use whole peas for authenticity. Yellow is traditional but green works just fine.

    Unfortunately here we in NM FINDING WHOLE PEAS IS HARD; SO I USE SPLIT PEAS ALIVE WITH THE RESULTS; good but not «habitant»

    Thanks for your post.

    Reply

    1. French-Canadian Habitant Pea Soup Recipe 2019 - Savory Is a Must! - eSoupRecipes (14)Todd Post authorJanuary 25, 2022

      Hi William. Thanks for your comment and glad you like the recipe – your grandmother’s recipe sounds very good too! It can be difficult to find whole yellow peas. Since you’re in New York, you might consider ordering from here. Best regards.

      Reply

  5. French-Canadian Habitant Pea Soup Recipe 2019 - Savory Is a Must! - eSoupRecipes (15)Brian S. February 20, 2022

    Habitant pea soup does not contain celery

    Reply

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French-Canadian Habitant Pea Soup Recipe 2019 - Savory Is a Must! - eSoupRecipes (2024)

FAQs

Why were French Canadians called pea soup? ›

(French-Canadian person): may be from the prevalence of pea soup in French cuisine: compare pea soup (“(slang, derogatory) French person”).

Who makes Habitant pea soup? ›

Habitant French-Canadian Pea Soup - Campbell Company of Canada.

What is the history of split pea soup in Canada? ›

Whether called habitant soup or soupe aux pois cassés or split pea soup, this early settler soup with many names became a staple item on the menu for Quebec's settlers. For starters, it was a filling and nutritious meal that helped them survive harsh Canadian winters.

What is French pea soup made of? ›

directions. Wash and sort peas; soak in cold water overnight. Drain and place in a large pot; add water, parsley, salt pork, onion, celery, carrots, parsley, bay leaf, savory and 1 tsp salt. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until peas are very tender, about 2 hours, adding more water if needed.

What does the insult pea soup mean? ›

-An insult to the title; Pea Soup is the poor man's dish. It is a contemptuous nickname given by the English-speaking people to the French-Canadians, who used to eat it. In the Quebec language, the distortion of the English expression has given pissou, which also means fearful.

What is pea soup slang for? ›

pea soup noun [U] (FOG)

US old-fashioned informal. (UK pea-souper) a very thick fog. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases.

How healthy is pea soup for you? ›

Like other legumes and vegetables, peas offer a nice package of carbs, protein, fiber, antioxidants and other nutrients, including vitamin K, vitamin C, B vitamins and manganese. Green peas are an excellent source of plant-based protein—which is why pea protein powder is popular among vegans.

What is in Habitant pea soup? ›

Ingredients. Water, Yellow Peas, Pork Lard, Modified Corn Strach, Salt, Onion Powder, Spice. We do our best to be accurate with respect to the advertised ingredients, nutritional information, product images and descriptions listed on our app/website.

Where did Habitant pea soup originate? ›

The first bowls of pea soup

Les Habitants, otherwise known as the first French settlers, started to arrive in Canada in the 17th century. And they lend their name to the soup made with yellow split peas, ham hock and vegetables.

Why is split pea soup so gassy? ›

Why is pea soup so gassy? Pea soup is gassy because when bacteria in the digestive tract digest small sugars called oligosaccharides that are present in the beans, it creates gas.

What is the difference between split pea soup and pea soup? ›

Pea Variety: The main difference lies in the type of peas used. Split pea soup is typically made from dried split peas, while green pea soup is made from fresh or frozen green peas. Texture: Split pea soup has a thicker and heartier texture compared to green pea soup.

What soup was invented in Canada? ›

Split Pea Soup

Born in Quebec, the same place as poutine, this famous soup has its roots in Canada. The anchor of this soup is the ham bone with a base that consists of dried yellow split peas. Most Canadians probably don't know that this wonderful and comforting soup comes from their homeland.

Why does pea soup get so thick? ›

Split pea soup naturally thickens as the peas break down during cooking and also as it sits, especially if refrigerated. If it's too thick for your liking, you can easily thin it by adding a bit of chicken or vegetable broth, or even water, until you reach your desired consistency.

What thickens pea soup? ›

How to Thicken Split Pea Soup. The potato should make your split pea soup perfectly thick and creamy. However, if the soup is still too thin for your liking, you can thicken it up with full-fat cream (though it may alter the flavor a bit) or a cornstarch slurry.

What is peas called in French? ›

"A delicious combination of peas, onions and lettuce which are gently poached in a buttery sauce with crème fraiche and vegetable stock; this classic French recipe is a wonderful way to serve tender little peas, petit* pois.

What is the history of French pea soup? ›

This hearty soup dates back to a time when French Canadian settlers made do with basic supplies brought in by ship from Europe such as salted pork and dried peas. Today, most cooks see it as a way to get the best out of a ham bone the day after a big feast.

What is the origin of the term pea-souper? ›

The phrase "pea-souper" fog is believed to have originated in London, England, in the 19th century. It refers to a thick, dense fog that is so thick that it appears to be the color and consistency of pea soup.

Where did pea soup originate from? ›

Pea soup has been eaten since antiquity; it is mentioned in Aristophanes' The Birds, and according to one source "the Greeks and Romans were cultivating this legume about 500 BC to 400 BC. During that era, vendors in the streets of Athens were selling hot pea soup."

Why is fog called pea soup? ›

Pea soup, or a pea souper, also called the black fog, killer fog or smog is a very thick and often yellowish, greenish or blackish fog caused by air pollution that contains soot particulates and the poisonous gas sulphur dioxide. This fog is named after the 'Pea-Soup' due its thickness and yellowishness.

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