Spring Pea Soup Crispy Bacon (Printable)

A vibrant pea soup finished with crispy turkey bacon for a light, fresh springtime dish.

# Ingredient List:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 4 cups fresh or frozen peas
05 - 1 medium Yukon Gold potato, peeled and diced
06 - 1/2 cup fresh baby spinach (optional)
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves, chopped

→ Liquids

08 - 4 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth

→ Dairy

09 - 1/2 cup heavy cream or crème fraîche (optional)

→ Meats

10 - 4 slices turkey bacon

→ Seasonings

11 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
12 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
13 - 1/4 teaspoon sugar (optional)

→ Garnish

14 - Fresh mint leaves
15 - Extra cream or crème fraîche

# Steps:

01 - In a large saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent and soft.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to brown.
03 - Add peas, diced potato, broth, salt, pepper, and optional sugar. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes until potatoes are fork-tender.
04 - While soup simmers, cook turkey bacon in a skillet over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until crisp and browned. Drain on paper towels and break into bite-sized pieces.
05 - Stir in baby spinach and chopped mint. Simmer for 2 minutes until spinach wilts slightly.
06 - Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Purée the soup in batches using a blender or immersion blender until completely smooth and velvety.
07 - Stir in heavy cream or crème fraîche if using. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper to taste.
08 - Ladle hot soup into bowls. Top each portion with crispy turkey bacon pieces, a swirl of cream, and fresh mint leaves.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The bright mint and sweet peas create a flavor combination that wakes up your tastebuds after a long winter of heavy comfort food
  • It comes together in under 45 minutes but tastes like something from a fancy restaurant
  • The crispy turkey bacon adds just enough smoky crunch without overwhelming the delicate soup
02 -
  • Never blend hot soup without venting the blender or it will explode all over your kitchen. Ask me how I know.
  • The potato is not optional. It creates that velvety texture without making the soup feel heavy.
  • Do not skip the mint. It sounds unusual but it is what makes this taste like spring in a bowl.
03 -
  • Reserve a handful of peas before blending and add them whole for texture. It makes every spoonful interesting.
  • If your soup seems too thick after blending, add more broth a splash at a time. It is easier to thin than to thicken.

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