Crock Pot Black Eyed Pea Sausage Soup is a hearty, flavorful dish perfect for a comforting meal, delivering a delicious way to enjoy nutritious ingredients with minimal effort. This slow-cooker wonder practically cooks itself, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or lazy weekends, promising a satisfying and fuss-free dining experience.
Key Ingredients for Crock Pot Black Eyed Pea Sausage Soup
- 1 pound smoked sausage, such as Andouille or kielbasa, sliced into ½-inch thick rounds
- 2 (15-ounce) cans black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 6 cups chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a kick)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped (optional, for added greens)
- Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped, for garnish
- Hot sauce, for serving (optional)
How to Make Crock Pot Black Eyed Pea Sausage Soup
This Crock Pot Black Eyed Pea Sausage Soup is effortlessly delicious and wonderfully satisfying, simmering to perfection with rich flavors and tender ingredients. Its simplicity lies in a hands-off cooking process, delivering a hearty meal that’s both nourishing and brimming with savory goodness, all with just 15 minutes of prep time.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Prepare the Sausage: If your sausage isn’t pre-cooked, brown the sliced sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes until lightly browned. This step adds depth of flavor and a nice texture to the soup. If using pre-cooked sausage, you can skip this step or still brown it for extra flavor. Drain any excess grease.
- Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Transfer the browned sausage (if applicable) to a 6-quart or larger slow cooker. Add the rinsed and drained black-eyed peas, chopped onion, diced carrots, diced celery, and minced garlic.
- Add Liquids and Seasonings: Pour in the can of diced tomatoes (including the liquid) and the chicken broth. Stir in the dried thyme, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using). Season with a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Remember to taste and adjust salt later, especially if using regular chicken broth.
- Cook Low and Slow: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours. The cooking time can vary slightly depending on your slow cooker, so look for vegetables to be tender and flavors to be well-melded.
- Stir in Spinach (Optional): About 15-20 minutes before serving, if you’re adding spinach, stir the chopped fresh spinach into the soup. The residual heat will wilt the spinach perfectly without overcooking it.
- Taste and Adjust Seasoning: Give the soup a good stir and taste. Adjust salt and pepper as needed. If you feel it needs a bit more zest, a dash of hot sauce or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice can brighten the flavors.
- Serve Warm: Ladle the Crock Pot Black Eyed Pea Sausage Soup into bowls. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or cilantro and offer hot sauce on the side for those who like extra heat.
Why You’ll Love This Crock Pot Black Eyed Pea Sausage Soup
You’ll absolutely adore this Crock Pot Black Eyed Pea Sausage Soup for its incredible depth of flavor and effortless preparation, making it a true weeknight hero. The smoky sausage combined with tender black-eyed peas and aromatic vegetables creates a hearty, comforting bowl that feels both indulgent and wholesome. Making this at home is a fantastic way to save money compared to takeout, providing a delicious, soul-warming meal on a budget without compromising on taste.
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Its main feature is the harmonious blend of savory and smoky notes that simmer to perfection in your slow cooker, transforming simple ingredients into something extraordinary. The optional fresh herbs and a dash of hot sauce elevate each spoonful, making it far superior to canned soup. This recipe rivals even the best stovetop black-eyed pea stews but with minimal hands-on time. It’s a comforting, cost-effective, and incredibly flavorful experience. Ready to make your kitchen smell amazing and your taste buds sing? Give this Crock Pot Black Eyed Pea Sausage Soup a try tonight!
What to Serve Crock Pot Black Eyed Pea Sausage Soup With
This hearty Crock Pot Black Eyed Pea Sausage Soup pairs wonderfully with a variety of simple sides. A classic choice is warm, crusty cornbread or a baguette, perfect for soaking up every last bit of the flavorful broth. For a fresher contrast, a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette adds a refreshing balance. You could also serve it alongside a simple side of collard greens or steamed rice to make it an even more filling meal. A glass of iced tea or a dry white wine would also complement the rich flavors beautifully.
Top Tips for Perfecting Crock Pot Black Eyed Pea Sausage Soup
- Sausage Sauté for Flavor: Don’t skip browning the sausage before adding it to the slow cooker, even if it’s pre-cooked. This step develops a rich, caramelized flavor that significantly deepens the soup’s overall taste. For a vegetarian option, you can swap the sausage for a plant-based alternative or skip it entirely and add smoked paprika for a similar smoky essence.
- Rinse Those Peas: Rinsing canned black-eyed peas thoroughly before adding them to the slow cooker helps remove excess sodium and improves their texture, preventing the soup from becoming too starchy or cloudy. If you prefer using dried black-eyed peas, soak them overnight and cook them separately or extend the slow cooker time by 2-3 hours on low.
- Layer Your Aromatics: When adding your vegetables, try to place the onions, carrots, and celery at the bottom of the slow cooker first. This allows them to cook directly in the liquid and soften better, releasing their foundational flavors into the broth more effectively.
- Adjust Seasoning at the End: With slow cooking, flavors concentrate. It’s best to add most of your salt and pepper towards the end of the cooking process, after tasting. This prevents over-salting, especially when using canned broth or diced tomatoes, which can already contain sodium.
- Spice It Up (or Down): The cayenne pepper is optional, but it adds a lovely warmth without being overwhelmingly spicy. If you like more heat, consider adding a finely diced jalapeño or a pinch more cayenne. For a milder soup, omit the cayenne altogether.
Storing and Reheating Tips
This Crock Pot Black Eyed Pea Sausage Soup is fantastic for meal prep! To store, allow the soup to cool completely to room temperature within two hours of cooking. Transfer it to airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, this soup freezes beautifully. Ladle cooled soup into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving about an inch of headspace to allow for expansion. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw frozen soup overnight in the refrigerator. To reheat, gently warm on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave, stirring halfway through, until piping hot. A splash of extra broth or water might be needed to achieve the desired consistency.
Final Thoughts
This Crock Pot Black Eyed Pea Sausage Soup truly embodies comfort in a bowl, delivering rich, savory flavors with minimal effort. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy a hearty, homemade meal, proving that delicious doesn’t have to mean difficult. Give this recipe a try; your taste buds will thank you!
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
Crock Pot Black Eyed Pea Sausage Soup FAQs
Q: Can I use fresh black-eyed peas instead of canned?
A: Yes, you can! If using fresh black-eyed peas, you will need to soak them overnight and then cook them until tender before adding them to the slow cooker, or significantly increase the slow cooker time (by 2-3 hours on low) to ensure they cook through.
Q: What kind of sausage works best for this soup?
A: Smoked sausages like Andouille, kielbasa, or even a good quality smoked turkey sausage work wonderfully. The key is the smoked flavor, which adds depth to the soup. Choose your preferred spice level!
Q: Can I make this soup vegetarian or vegan?
A: Absolutely! To make it vegetarian, omit the sausage and use vegetable broth. For vegan, ensure all ingredients, including any added seasonings or toppings, are plant-based. You can add extra smoked paprika or a dash of liquid smoke for a similar smoky flavor.
Q: How can I thicken the soup if it’s too thin?
A: If the soup is thinner than you’d like, you have a few options. You can mash some of the black-eyed peas directly in the slow cooker with a spoon, or remove about a cup of the soup, blend it until smooth, and then stir it back into the pot. Alternatively, you can make a cornstarch slurry (1-2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with an equal amount of cold water) and stir it into the hot soup during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Q: Can I add other vegetables to the Crock Pot Black Eyed Pea Sausage Soup?
A: Yes, this soup is very adaptable! Feel free to add diced bell peppers, corn, or even diced potatoes for extra heartiness. Add them along with the other initial vegetables at the beginning of the cooking process.
Crock Pot Black Eyed Pea Sausage Soup
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Prepare the Sausage: If your sausage isn’t pre-cooked, brown the sliced sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes until lightly browned. This step adds depth of flavor and a nice texture to the soup. If using pre-cooked sausage, you can skip this step or still brown it for extra flavor. Drain any excess grease.1 pound smoked sausage
- Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Transfer the browned sausage (if applicable) to a 6-quart or larger slow cooker. Add the rinsed and drained black-eyed peas, chopped onion, diced carrots, diced celery, and minced garlic.1 pound smoked sausage, 2 (15-ounce) cans black-eyed peas, 1 large onion, 2 carrots, 2 celery stalks, 4 cloves garlic
- Add Liquids and Seasonings: Pour in the can of diced tomatoes (including the liquid) and the chicken broth. Stir in the dried thyme, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using). Season with a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Remember to taste and adjust salt later, especially if using regular chicken broth.1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, 6 cups chicken broth, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Cook Low and Slow: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours. The cooking time can vary slightly depending on your slow cooker, so look for vegetables to be tender and flavors to be well-melded.
- Stir in Spinach (Optional): About 15-20 minutes before serving, if you’re adding spinach, stir the chopped fresh spinach into the soup. The residual heat will wilt the spinach perfectly without overcooking it.2 cups fresh spinach
- Taste and Adjust Seasoning: Give the soup a good stir and taste. Adjust salt and pepper as needed. If you feel it needs a bit more zest, a dash of hot sauce or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice can brighten the flavors.Salt and freshly ground black pepper, Hot sauce
- Serve Warm: Ladle the Crock Pot Black Eyed Pea Sausage Soup into bowls. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or cilantro and offer hot sauce on the side for those who like extra heat.Fresh parsley or cilantro, Hot sauce