Potaje De Chicharos

This potaje de chicharo, also known as Cuban split pea soup, is packed with nutritious split peas, vegetables and Cuban spices.

Why You'll Love Chicharo Cubanos

• This cozy and filling split pea soup is perfect for meal prepping. 
• This Instant Pot recipe is a one pot dream. Drop it all in your pot and have delicious soup in less than an hour. 
• This soup is perfect for warming up on a chilly day.

Ingredients for this cuban split pea soup 

How to Make Chicharos Cubanos

Set your Instant Pot to saute and add the olive oil, chopped yellow onion, garlic and chopped green bell pepper. Saute until translucent.

Add to the Instant Pot the split peas, pork belly, smoked pork loin, chopped calabaza, salt, cumin, oregano, bay leaf, chicken bouillon cube and water.

Set the Instant Pot to Bean/Chili setting at high pressure and cook for 45 minutes.

Once done cooking, release the steam and carefully remove the lid. Give the soup a good stir. If the soup is too thick, add ½ cup warm water(or more) until you reach your desired consistency.

Serve immediately and garnish with cilantro.

Variations and Substitutions

• If you can't find smoked pork belly, you can use bacon, smoked whole ham hock or smoked pork shank 
• Don't eat pork? You can swap the meat for their smoked turkey necks and/or smoked turkey wings. 
• Can't find calabaza squash? Use butternut squash instead. 
• Don't have chicken bouillon, you can opt for low sodium chicken broth or chicken stock 
• Don't have an Instant Pot? You can cook this split pea soup in a dutch oven over medium-low heat for 70-90 minutes.

Tips For Making Cuban Split Pea Soup

Cuban split pea soup, or sopa de lentejas, is a hearty and flavorful dish that's perfect for a comforting meal. Here are some tips for making it in your Instant Pot

1. Add Cuban Spices: Incorporate authentic Cuban spices like sazon completa, oregano, and cumin to give your soup a true Cuban flavor.
2. Simmer on Low Pressure: After the initial pressure cooking, let the soup simmer on low pressure for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
3. Adjust Thickness: If the soup is too thick, add a bit of water or broth. If it's too thin, let it simmer uncovered until it thickens.
4. Serve with Toppings: Garnish your soup with fresh cilantro, avocado slices, or a squeeze of lime juice for added flavor and texture.

How to Serve Potaje de Chicharos

Potaje de Chicharos is a hearty and flavorful Cuban soup that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions:

• Classic: Serve the soup hot with a side of Cuban bread or tostones for dipping.
• Garnished: Top the soup with fresh cilantro, avocado slices, or a squeeze of lime juice for added flavor and texture.
• As a main course: Serve the soup as a main course with a side of rice or plantains.
• As an appetizer: Serve the soup as a starter before a larger meal.

How to Store Leftovers

• Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 4 to 5 days. Once refrigerated, the soup will thicken up, add ½ cup or more when reheating to thin the soup down.
• Freeze your split pea stew in an airtight container and freeze for upto 3 months.

Check out these other Cuban recipes

Print Recipe

Chicharo Cubano

Cuban style split pea soup

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time45 minutes mins

Total Time55 minutes mins

Course: Soup

Cuisine: cuban

Servings: 6

Calories: 816kcal

Author: Cari

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 yellow onion chopped
• 1 green bell pepper chopped
• 3 garlic cloves minced
• 1 lb smoked pork loin cubed into 1 inch cubes
• 1 lb smoked pork belly cubed into 1 inch cubes
• 1 bay leaf
• 16 oz green split peas
• 1 ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
• ¼ teaspoon oregano
• 4 ½ cups water

Instructions

• Set your Instant Pot to saute and add the olive oil, chopped yellow onion, garlic and chopped green bell pepper. Saute until translucent.
• Add to the Instant Pot the split peas, pork belly, smoked pork loin, chopped calabaza, salt, cumin, oregano, bay leaf, chicken bouillon cube and water.
• Set the Instant Pot to Bean/Chili setting at high pressure and cook for 45 minutes.
• Once done cooking, release the steam and carefully remove the lid. Give the soup a good stir. If the soup is too thick, add ½ cup warm water(or more) until you reach your desired consistency.
• Serve immediately and garnish with cilantro.

Notes

Variations and substitutions for this green split pea stew

• • If you can't find smoked pork belly, you can use bacon, smoked whole ham hock or smoked pork shank 

• • Don't eat pork? You can swap the meat for their smoked turkey necks and/or smoked turkey wings. 

• • Can't find calabaza squash? Use butternut squash instead. 

• • Don't have chicken bouillon, you can opt for low sodium chicken broth or chicken stock 

• • Don't have an Instant Pot? You can cook this split pea soup in a dutch oven over medium-low heat for 70-90 minutes.

Storage for this potaje de chicharos

• • Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 4 to 5 days. Once refrigerated, the soup will thicken up, add ½ cup or more when reheating to thin the soup down.

• • Freeze your split pea stew in an airtight container and freeze for upto 3 months.