The first time I had ever heard of this was on a Facebook group called blenderize RN. Having a teenage boy on a blenderized/pureed diet can be difficult at times. Because of his complicated GI tract and minimal oral experience, it’s hard finding things he can and will eat without slowing his digestion down. Since Matthew drinks his formula, I wanted to increase his calories and protein without adding more formula but do it in such a way as to not upset his very restricted palate. Enter “Ripple” (aka split pea milk). Since everything I blend for him is homemade, I thought I would try making it myself. I added 1 cup to his normal formula recipe and he didn’t even notice. It was so easy and inexpensive, I just had to share.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups of cooked yellow split peas
- 3 1/2 cups of water
- 2 tsp vanilla (optional)
- 4 pitted dates
Directions
- In a medium size sauce pan, bring 1 cup of dry yellow split peas and 4 cups of water to a boil. Boil for 10 minutes on high then reduce temperature to simmer and cook until peas are soft (about hour). Do not drain the peas before adding them to the Vitamix. Because the peas settle, you will want to sir the pot before measuring them out.
- In the large Vitamix container, add ingredients in the order listed and secure lid.
- Select Variable 1.
- Turn machine on and increase speed to Variable 10, then High.
- Blend for 1 minute or until completely smooth.
- Remove milk from blender and repeat steps 2-5 with remaining peas.
Food Tip: This recipe makes a total of 10 cups of milk. Ripple is made in a factory with added oils and gums that are not in my homemade recipe. The oils and gums allow the milk to stay in solution. Even when using the Vitamix and a filtration bag, homemade milks will separate and need to be shaken before drinking or using in a recipe. They have also reduced the peas to pea protein and removed the pea flavor. If you are used to drinking the store bought Ripple, this may be a jump for you. It is thick so if you plan on drinking it, you may want to thin it out a bit. You can also run it through a filtration bag to remove more of the solids. With 75 calories per cup and 8 grams of protein, it makes an excellent addition to a blended diet. It can also easily replace cows milk in baking for those who have a dairy free diet. Milk will stay fresh in the refrigerator for about 4 days. For oral eaters, please check out my DIY Ripple Milk post. If you are already a Ripple drinker, you may want to read How Is Ripple Milk Made? before you try to make it. It will explain the difference.
Time Tip: Make the full batch and freeze extra milk in ice cube trays then store in labeled and dated freezer bags. Each cube is about 1 once making measuring a breeze.
Money Tip: One pound of dry split peas cost around 70 cents a pound at bulk food stores like Winco. Ripple milk runs about $4.99 for 48oz. Since I only used 1 cup of dried beans, I made 80oz for only 33 cents!
Matthew's Manna 
How does it taste?? Does it taste like peas? I watched a video and they made it sound like they have stripped the “pea” type flavouring from it.
Hi Jess. It tastes a lot like Soy milk. I add dates and vanilla so mostly I am tasting the vanilla. My son has a g-tube but I add it to his blended “milk” and he drinks it everyday and likes it.
Awesome! Thanks for the quick reply!
Thank you for sharing this. Going to make this tomorrow!
has anyone made this in a regular blender, not a vitamix? does it get as creamy?
I haven’t made it in a regular blender but, because the peas are cooked, I’m pretty sure it would still be creamy. You may have to run it through a nut milk bag especially if it is to be used for a j-tube.
thanks- i am just new to dairy free and this sounds yummy- some of the creamy nut milks don’t work as well without a vitamix
Have you clicked through to the Vitamix website from my blog? They have more affordable ways to pay for them. It would really open up your choices in non dairy milks and tons of other whole foods recipes. Check out some of the other recipes I have when you have the chance. But, until then, please let me know how the split pea milk turns out.
i just made a batch of the ripple in a breville blender and ran it for 2 60 second cycles and the milk turned out great- thanks again for the suggestions!
I’m so glad it turned out well. You are welcome!
I am unsure how you got 10 cups milk from 1 1/2 cups of cooked peas and 3 1/2 cups of water. Did you also use the water from the boiled peas?
Yes. I include the water the peas are cooked in.
Excited to try this. Ripple claims to have a patent pending way of extracting the pea/bean taste and texture. Has anyone tried making it without the additional sugar of the 4 dates?
Interesting. I could see them coming up with a patent on the taste but the texture can be dealt with simply by using a filtration bag. The Vitamix blends it so smooth that I don’t bother, though. No I haven’t tried making it without dates when using it for drinking. You could also just add the vanilla and see how you like it. I don’t mind the subtle pea taste. It is a lot like soy milk but without the high estrogen levels. When making it for g-tube patients there is no need to sweeten it. Please let me know how it goes.
This looks FANTASTIC! I’m always trying to figure out how to reduce my plastic container consumption by making my own…you just saved me a boatload of time! BTW…I made yogurt out of the Ripple I bought at the store! Turned out GREAT!
I used 1 quart of Van. Ripple unsweetened and heated this using my Instant Pot on Sauté to 180deg. Transferred the inner pot to the fridge for 25min to drop temp to 112. Transferred the contents to my Salton yogurt incubator. I pulled out 1/2 cup of the warm liquid and mixed in a packet of vegan yogurt starter, 2 tbsp chia seeds ground, and 1 tsp maple syrup (I felt I needed to add a little sugar for the bacteria to have something to play with :O) ) Left this in my yogurt maker over night – 8pm – 6am…and VOILA Thick Tangy Vegan Yogurt! YUM!
Enjoy!
Thank you! Wow! I will have to try your yogurt recipe with my homemade “Ripple” milk. Let me know it you get to it before I do and how it comes out. I’d love to try this out on my son. His taste buds are pretty limited. If I can get him to eat it, we could address his weight issue. He’s been sliding done his growth scale and I wan to limit the use of his g-tube.
I have a power Pressure Cooker XL, an oven and a crock pot but no yogurt maker. Do you know how to make yogurt with just those items on hand?
You don’t need a yogurt maker! I don’t use the oven as suggested in this recipe. I use a heating pad and wrap it around the glass bowl 🙂 https://www.cearaskitchen.com/vegan-yogurt/
Good idea! I definitely want to try soon. 😊
Thanks for the recipe for yogurt!
Can I use something besides dates?
Yes. It is just there as a natural sweetener and added fiber. You can use any sweetener or none at all.
Hi there! Just wanted to clarify. You remove the peas from the water once they are soft and blend them with 3 cups of water only? or with the 4 cups of water used during the cooking process? How much water is needed total?
Once I cook the peas I don’t remove them from the water they are cooked in because they are so soft and I don’t want to lose any of the nutrients. I stir the pot first then use a ladle to measure the peas into the Vitamix. Then I add the 3 1/2 cups of additional water, dates and vanilla. Thank you for asking! I will elaborate in my directions and update the post. Hope this helps.
You use 4 cups of water, then another 3-1/2 cups in the blender, for a total of 7-1/2 cups, correct?
Yes. That plus the cooked peas equals 10 cups. Just remember that it is thick at those proportions so you may want to add more water if you are drinking it. If it is for a g-tube feeding there is no need.
Does it work also with green split peas? I’m in Lima at the moment and don’t think I’ve ever seen yellow split peas (I also happen to have some green at home already). It’s my favorite “bean” and willing to try it as milk.
TIA
Missed hi and thank you for the recipe in the comment above 😯😳
So sorry! Excitement -momentarily- killed my manners 🙈
I have never tried it with green split peas but I’d give it a go if it’s your favorite. I think the taste is stronger and the color may throw some but I’d love to hear how it turns out. Please let me know. They cook up the same in my opinion.
I cannot wait to try this out. This is my toddler’s go-to-milk and we also enjoy using it for basically everything, but the price is pretty steep. We are trying to find ways to cut cost so I am so happy to have found an amazing recipe. Thank you!
QueenPanda, you are welcome! I hope it works for you. I am also getting ready to update my post on homemade “Ripple” milk to speed up the cook time. I have just cooked the peas in my Power Pressure cooker XL. Such a time saver. Please let me know how it goes or if you have any questions.
Thats a good idea, any way to cut time is a bonus.
I did try this in a sauce pan and again using the crockpot and both times it was a major failure. The ‘milk’ tastes like water, plus there is a separation of elements and a darker color. Is this supposed to happen? I thought it would stay creamy like it looked while it was blending.
When I make it, it tastes a lot like soy milk. It will separate so you will need to shake it before you drink it. Companies like the one that makes Ripple use additives like different gums or Carrageenan to keep their milk from separating. Did you use the dates and vanilla when you made it?
Interestingly enough, Foodreich made it and said the pea taste was too strong. I’ve never tried store bought Ripple. Maybe I will just to see what it tastes like and see if I can match it for those who have.
Ok, I was expecting it to look like cashew milk more, but its not a nut. I added both vanilla and dates. I don’t feel like the consistency is good enough to pass through a baby bottle, since it needs to be shaken up.
Do you think the yellow split peas need to be soaked overnight?
So I just bought a bottle of Ripple. They have added sunflower oil and gums to make it the consistency it is. They have also reduced the split peas down to a pea protein and removed the flavor of the peas. I agree if it has to go though a baby bottle as is, it’s not a good fit. You could run it through a bit milk bag to remove a larger portion of the solid. My son drinks his through a straw and mixed with hemp milk or it goes into his g-tube. I have also used it to replace milk in whole grain pancakes.
Try soaking them overnight night a n using a filtration bag and see how it goes. I will try to.
I am not sure if I did everything wrong, but it tastes not so good 😦 The taste of cooked peas is so strong and the texture congeals very quick. Maybe green peas working better? How about skip the cooking process? just maybe leave them for 10 hours in the water and then blend them? Maybe I gonne try this 😉
Cheers from germany
If you used the vanilla and dates and it still tastes too strong, definitely try a different split pea. Mine stays thin enough but I have to shake it before pouring it. My son doesn’t mined the flavor but he is use to whole foods without additives and processing. I have acquired the tastes well enough. My almond, coconut and hemp milk taste amazing and I didn’t have to get used to it. Stopped using creamer in my coffee after the first time I put my hemp milk in it. Definitely let my know if your adjustments help the taste and texture. Please add the changes in the comments so that others who run across the same thing can try your recipe.
Just put up a post that will shed some light on Ripple. Post name is “How is Ripple Milk Made?”
Why do you state 1 1/2 cups peas in ingredients, but then only use 1 cup peas?
Because the recipe calls for 1/2 cups of cooked split peas. First cook 1 cup of dry peas in 3 cups of water. Once they are cooked it forms 3 cups of cooked peas. I blend them in 2 portions in the 64oz container. So 1 1/2 cups of the cooked peas are mixed with 3 1/2 cups of water to make 5 cups of milk. I repeat the process with the remaining 1 1/2 cups of cooked peas to make a total of 10 cups of milk. FYI, I am about to add a recipe that is a bit closer to Ripple . They add oil and gums to their milk to keep it from separating. I made some last night and the texture was closer and it did not separate. It will be titled “DYI Ripple” so keep an eye out. My original recipe can be a bit hard to adjust to it you have been drinking store bought Ripple.
I will also go back and write the directions so it is easier to understand on the original recipe.
I see now that the measurements are for what goes in the blender. So one cup peas should produce 1 1/2 cups peas
YES. I am currently working on an adjustment to my recipe that is more like the Ripple. I bought a bottle just to try and match it. They add sunflower oil to make it creamy and gums to keep the milk from separating. I will add a new post tomorrow on the outcome.
Hello
I have a question Ripple use pea protein dus it mean they don’t coock the peas they just use proteine with water and the other ingrediënts?
I don’t know but there must be some sort of processing that allows them to separate the components much like whey protein being separated out from the milk. If I find their process, I will post it.
Just put up a post that will shed some light on Ripple. Post name is “How is Ripple Milk Made?”
Thank you for sharing this recipe! I appreciate your description of the process and final product.
You are welcome! We are all very busy people these days. My goal is to get the recipes repeated by the readers and get the same results. Every time there is a question or someone doesn’t get the results I do, I go back and modify the directions to make it very clear. If the instructions are vague it it doesn’t come out right, people are less likely to make it again. Thank you for your comment!
Has anyone tried this with green split peas? In my area they don’t sell yellow split peas (I have found them online but its more expensive) I understand that it will probably just affect the color (which I don’t mind) and not really the taste.
I have not but I am curious to see how it comes out. I would say give it a try and let me know how it comes out. I can update my blog post with your results.
Good morning. Where did you buy your split peas from? I don’t live near a place that sells bulk foods so I’d have to travel and I want to be sure I get the right thing. If at all possible, would you be able to suggest a brand that could be bought online? Thank you. I’m really eager to try this recipe. Ripple milk is a little expensive.
Hello, Ebony. I don’t have a brand to suggest but make sure they are yellow split peas. I shop for the best price. I haven’t found any difference. Please make sure to click the links I have in place in the recipe. Homemade “Ripple has much more pea taste because it is not made in a laboratory. It will be worth it if you can adjust to the flavor. I have tried to make it with Orgain Organic protein powder I bought at Costco but the taste was so bad I took it back.
Hi – thank you for your time and efforts in doing what you’re doing and for sharing your experiences! I wonder, do you think this can be made with frozen peas?
You are welcome! I am blessed by helping others better their health through blending. Frozen peas. Interesting idea. I’ve never tried it but I’m very interested in the outcome. I will give it a try this weekend and let you know. Thanks for the idea. Please post your results if you try it before I do.
Bless you, sounds good! 🙂 I would think thawing them may be a good first step, but we’ll see. I realized I didn’t include that part in my initial post till after posting.
That makes sense. I blend a lot of frozen veggies for Matthew. I defrost them overnight in the refrigerator. The next trip to the store I will add pesto to the list.
why do we need to cooked the peas? have you try use just overnight soaked yellow peas?
You don’t necessarily have to cook them. Soaking over night and blending would work if you are using a Vitamix. Otherwise it’s just a texture thing. I’ve tried just soaking them and I feel, even with my Vitamix that the texture is grainy. Bexuase Matthew has a g_tube i have to be sure the milk is extra smooth since i don’t run it through a nut milk bag.
What is the carbohydrate content of the pea milk please?
I don’t have the percentage but I can work it out and let you know. Once I have it I will add it to the post. Thank you for asking.
Hi, Angie. I just ran my recipe through the Cronometer app. I took the middle of the road on the dates and the water and came up with 11.6g of carbohydrates. Please keep in mind that Ripple is made by isolating the pea protein in a lab then creating a milk that is high in protein and low in carbohydrates with the protein. I hope this information is helpful.