Split peas come in several varieties and can be used to make soup, as a side dish, or even as a way to make salads a lot healthier.
If you have a recipe that calls for any type of split peas, such as split pea soup, but you’re out of these types of peas, the best substitute for split peas are other varieties of split peas or different types of lentils. This is because in most ways, lentils and split peas can be used in the same recipes.
Which Recipes Call for Split Peas?
When people think of split peas, they usually think of green split peas because this is the type that goes into pea soup, but there are also yellow split peas, which still taste great but have a much milder flavor.
Foods that call for split peas include not only soup but also hummus, side dishes, salads, and even homemade curry.
If you’re curious about a good substitute for split peas, you can use other types of split peas and even lentils in most dishes.
Before you cook anything using a substitute ingredient, read the directions in the recipe thoroughly. Some recipes may recommend substitutes, while others may specifically prohibit certain substitutes because they ruin the taste or texture of the dish.
In many cases, you can use split peas and lentils interchangeably, but that is not always the case. The substitute you use may change the taste or texture of the dish, and it may also affect how long you’ll be cooking the dish.
Are Lentils and Split Peas the Same Thing?
Yes and no! Both split peas and lentils are legumes, but they come from very different varieties of legumes. Split peas are a type of field pea, and field peas are grown specifically for drying. Lentils, on the other hand, are their own type of legume. They are harvested as the seed of the plant, then they are dried.
Both lentils and split peas are high in protein and fiber, low in fat and calories, and have a lot of vitamins and minerals. Cooked lentils are commonly used as meat substitutes and are often eaten by vegans and vegetarians for their protein.
Conclusion
You can use lentils in place of split peas, and the yellow variety of split peas in place of the green variety. You just have to be aware that both texture and taste may be altered a little and that your cooking times might vary.