Hearty Cuban Chicharos (Potaje de Chicharos): Authentic Split Pea Soup Recipe

Step into the rich culinary world of Cuba with this irresistible recipe for Chicharos Cubanos, also known as Potaje de Chicharos. This isn’t just any split pea soup; it’s a vibrant, deeply flavorful, and incredibly comforting Cuban-style rendition that will transport your taste buds straight to the island. Made with dried green split peas, an aromatic sofrito base, savory smoked pork, tender potatoes, and sweet butternut squash, this soup is a staple in Cuban households and for good reason.

Perfect for a cozy dinner or a satisfying meal with loved ones, this Potaje de Chicharos can be enjoyed on its own as a hearty main course, or paired with a side of fluffy white rice and a classic Bistec Encebollado (Cuban Steak with Onions) for an unforgettable culinary experience. Get ready to create a dish that’s not only delicious but also wonderfully nutritious and remarkably easy to prepare.

Why You’ll Adore This Cuban Split Pea Soup Recipe

There are countless reasons why this Potaje de Chicharos will become a beloved addition to your recipe collection. From its straightforward preparation to its incredible depth of flavor and nutritional benefits, this Cuban split pea soup truly has it all:

• No Pressure Cooker Needed & No Soaking Required: Unlike many bean or pea recipes, this one simplifies the process. You don’t need a pressure cooker to achieve perfectly tender split peas, and there’s no need for overnight soaking. This makes it a much more accessible and less time-consuming recipe for weeknight cooking.
• Packed with Nutritional Goodness: Split peas are a powerhouse of nutrition! They are an excellent source of dietary fiber, promoting digestive health and keeping you feeling full longer. They are also rich in plant-based protein, making this soup a satisfying and wholesome meal. Plus, split peas are naturally low in fat, contributing to a healthy diet.
• Explosion of Flavor: While reminiscent of classic split pea soup with ham, our Cuban Chicharos elevates the flavor profile with an authentic blend of spices, a foundational sofrito, and the rich smokiness of pork and chorizo. The combination of ingredients creates a complex and deeply satisfying taste that is truly unique.
• Incredibly Versatile: This robust soup can effortlessly serve as a fulfilling main course, especially when paired with a simple side of rice. Alternatively, it makes a fantastic and flavorful side dish to complement other Cuban favorites or grilled meats.
• Comfort in Every Spoonful: There’s something inherently comforting about a warm, savory bowl of split pea soup. The creamy texture of the peas combined with the tender vegetables and savory pork makes this an ultimate comfort food, perfect for any season.
• Easy to Follow: Despite its rich flavor, the steps to prepare this Chicharos Cubanos are simple and straightforward, making it achievable for cooks of all experience levels.

Key Ingredient Insights for Perfect Potaje de Chicharos

The magic of Chicharos Cubanos lies in the harmony of its carefully selected ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each component is essential:

Split Peas – I strongly recommend using green dried split peas for their vibrant color and slightly sweeter, earthy flavor profile. However, if yellow split peas are all you have on hand, they will work beautifully too, offering a slightly more savory taste while still delivering that desired creamy texture. Both varieties break down wonderfully during cooking, creating a thick and luscious soup base. Always remember to sort through your dried peas to remove any debris before rinsing.

Sofrito – This aromatic blend of finely diced or blended vegetables and herbs is the heart and soul of many Cuban dishes. It’s the flavor base that gives this soup its authentic depth. While I use my homemade sofrito for the freshest taste, don’t hesitate to use a good quality store-bought version for convenience. If you’re short on time or ingredients, you can simply sauté extra onion and garlic as a simplified aromatic base, though the full sofrito adds unparalleled richness.

Smoked Pork – The smoky flavor is crucial for this dish. You have several delicious options to choose from, or even combine them!

• Ham Hocks: These add a deep, rich smokiness and help thicken the soup.
• Pork Butt: Provides tender chunks of meat and a good amount of fat for flavor.
• Leftover Ham: A fantastic way to utilize holiday leftovers, adding a salty, savory kick.
• Chorizo: Spanish-style chorizo, especially the cured variety, introduces a delightful spice and fat that renders into the soup, imparting a distinctive reddish hue and peppery notes. I particularly love adding a combination of smoked ham and spicy chorizo for the ultimate flavor complexity.
• Bacon or Salt Pork: These can also be used to render fat and provide a smoky, savory foundation.

Whichever you choose, ensure it’s smoked for that authentic taste.

Butternut Squash – This sweet and creamy squash is a wonderful addition, lending a subtle sweetness and velvety texture that complements the savory pork and earthy peas. You can substitute butternut squash with other types of squash like pumpkin, kabocha squash, or even sweet potato for a similar effect. Ensure they are cubed into bite-sized pieces so they cook evenly and become tender within the soup.

Other Essential Ingredients:

• Onion & Garlic: The foundational aromatics that start the flavor building process.
• Bay Leaf, Cumin, Oregano, Garlic Powder: These spices are classic Cuban seasonings that infuse the soup with warmth and character.
• Potatoes: They add body, absorb flavors, and contribute a delightful starchiness that makes the soup even heartier.
• Dry White Wine or Vinegar: A splash adds a touch of acidity and brightness, cutting through the richness and enhancing the overall flavor.
• Oil: For sautéing the aromatics and browning the smoked pork.
• Salt & Pepper: Essential for seasoning generously to taste, balancing all the flavors.

Top Tips For Crafting the Ultimate Chicharos

Achieving the perfect consistency and flavor in your Cuban Split Pea Soup is easy with these expert tips:

• Adjusting Consistency: Chicharos naturally thickens as it cools. If your soup becomes too thick for your liking, simply add more water or chicken stock a little at a time while reheating, stirring until it reaches your desired consistency. Conversely, if it’s too liquidy after cooking, let it simmer uncovered over low heat, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to perfection.
• Making it Vegetarian: To transform this hearty soup into a delicious vegetarian meal, simply omit the smoked ham and chorizo. You can compensate for the lost savory depth by adding smoked paprika, a dash of liquid smoke, or incorporating more vegetables like carrots and celery. A flavorful vegetable broth can also replace water for an enhanced base.
• Enhancing Flavor with Sazon or Adobo: For an extra layer of authentic Cuban flavor, you can add a pinch of sazon or adobo. Sazon typically contains annatto, which can give your soup a slightly reddish-orange hue, while adobo is a savory blend of garlic, oregano, and salt. Just be mindful that adding too much sazon might diminish the natural bright green color of the split peas, so use sparingly if you prefer a greener soup.
• Proper Bean Preparation is Key: Before cooking, always take a few minutes to arrange the dried split peas on a baking sheet or a light-colored surface. Carefully sort through them, discarding any small stones, broken peas, or other foreign debris that might have made their way into the package. This small step ensures a pleasant eating experience. Don’t forget to rinse them thoroughly after sorting!
• Slow Simmer for Best Results: While no pressure cooker is needed, allowing the peas to simmer gently over a sustained period is key to their breakdown and the development of the soup’s rich flavor. Don’t rush this process; slow cooking melds all the flavors beautifully.
• Generous Seasoning: Split peas, like many legumes, can be bland on their own. Don’t be shy with salt and pepper. Season generously throughout the cooking process, tasting and adjusting as you go, especially at the end.
• Serving Temperature: Chicharos is best served hot. The flavors are most pronounced and the texture is perfectly creamy when warm.

Storage and Reheating Tips for Your Chicharos Cubanos

Chicharos Cubanos is one of those dishes that often tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld. Proper storage ensures you can enjoy your delicious leftovers safely.

• Refrigeration: Allow any leftover soup to cool completely before transferring it to an air-tight container. Refrigerate promptly for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to serve, gently heat it in a pot on the stovetop over medium heat. As the soup warms, it may thicken considerably. Add a splash of water or chicken stock to loosen it to your desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasonings with more salt and pepper if needed.
• Freezing: This soup freezes beautifully, making it an excellent meal prep option. Once the Chicharos has cooled completely, portion it into freezer-safe air-tight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Make sure to leave about an inch of space at the top of the container, as the soup will expand slightly while freezing. It can be frozen for up to 3 months.
• Thawing and Reheating Frozen Soup: To thaw, transfer the frozen soup from the freezer to the refrigerator the night before you plan to eat it. Once thawed, reheat it on the stovetop over medium heat, adding water or broth as needed to achieve the right consistency. Always bring the soup to a gentle simmer to ensure it’s thoroughly heated before serving.

More Delicious Cuban Recipes You Might Enjoy

If you’ve fallen in love with the flavors of this Potaje de Chicharos, you’ll surely want to explore more authentic Cuban dishes:

• Cuban Shrimp Creole (Camarones Enchilados): A savory and vibrant shrimp dish in a rich tomato sauce.
• Congri (Cuban Black Beans and Rice): A classic side dish where rice and black beans are cooked together, absorbing each other’s flavors.
• Instant Pot Cuban Black Beans: For when you need a quick and easy way to make perfectly tender and flavorful black beans.
• Arroz con Pollo Cubano (Cuban Chicken and Rice): A comforting one-pot meal packed with tender chicken, rice, and a medley of spices.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Cuban Split Pea Soup

Can I use a pressure cooker for this recipe?

While this recipe is designed not to require a pressure cooker, you certainly can use one to significantly reduce the cooking time. If using a pressure cooker, you would typically cook the split peas for about 15-20 minutes after reaching pressure, then release the pressure, add the vegetables and meat (if not added with the peas initially), and cook for a few more minutes until tender. Adjust liquid amounts as necessary.

Do I need to soak the split peas before cooking?

No, one of the great advantages of split peas is that they don’t require pre-soaking like many other dried legumes. They cook relatively quickly and break down easily, creating a creamy texture without the extra preparation step.

What if I can’t find smoked pork or don’t eat pork?

If you can’t find smoked pork, you can use smoked turkey or chicken sausage for a similar smoky flavor. For a vegetarian version, simply omit all smoked meats. You can add a teaspoon of smoked paprika, a dash of liquid smoke, or more savory vegetables like mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes to enhance the umami depth.

My soup is too thin/thick. How can I fix it?

If your soup is too thin, simply let it simmer uncovered for a bit longer, allowing some of the liquid to evaporate and the peas to break down further, which will naturally thicken it. If it’s too thick, add small amounts of hot water or vegetable/chicken broth until it reaches your desired consistency, stirring well after each addition.

Can I add other vegetables to Chicharos?

Absolutely! While potatoes and butternut squash are traditional, feel free to experiment with other root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, or even a bit of celery. Just ensure they are cut into similar-sized pieces so they cook evenly.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, split peas are naturally gluten-free. As long as all your other ingredients (like any smoked meats or sofrito) are also gluten-free, this recipe will be suitable for a gluten-free diet.

Embrace the Rich Flavors of Cuba

This recipe for Chicharos Cubanos (Potaje de Chicharos) is more than just a soup; it’s a culinary journey, a taste of Cuban tradition that warms the soul and satisfies the palate. With its robust flavors from smoked pork and a fragrant sofrito, combined with the creamy texture of split peas and tender vegetables, it’s a dish that truly stands out. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or new to Cuban cuisine, the straightforward steps and incredible results will make this a go-to recipe in your kitchen.

So gather your ingredients, follow these simple instructions, and prepare to be delighted by the rich, comforting taste of homemade Cuban split pea soup. It’s a versatile, nutritious, and undeniably delicious meal that promises to bring joy to your table. Enjoy every hearty spoonful!