description Senate Pea Soup Overview
Senate pea soup is a traditional bean soup served daily in the United States Senate dining room in Washington, D.C. The dish is prepared using dried navy beans, smoked ham hocks, and onions in a simple, hearty broth. This culinary custom dates back to the early 20th century, specifically originating around 1903 under Senator Fred Dubois of Idaho. It is provided daily to senators, staff, and visitors as an established institutional tradition.
help Senate Pea Soup FAQ
What is in Senate pea soup?
The official U.S. Senate recipe uses dried navy beans, smoked ham hocks, onion, butter, water, salt, and pepper. The recipe published by the Senate calls for 2 pounds of beans and 1 1/2 pounds of smoked ham hocks.
Why is Senate pea soup served every day?
The daily service is a long-running Senate dining tradition dating to the early 20th century. One account credits Senator Fred Dubois of Idaho, while another connects the custom to Senator Knute Nelson of Minnesota in 1903.
How long does Senate bean soup take to cook?
The Senate's published recipe says to simmer the beans and ham hocks for approximately 3 hours. The meat is removed, diced, and returned to the soup before the onion and seasoning are added.
How many servings does the Senate bean soup recipe make?
The official recipe states that the 2-pound navy-bean version serves 8. The Senate also publishes a larger 5-gallon recipe that uses 3 pounds of dried navy beans and 2 pounds of ham and a ham bone.
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