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Smoky Black Eyed Pea Soup

Smoky Black Eyed Pea Soup

The Smoky Black Eyed Pea Soup is a wholesome, hearty, and flavor-packed dish perfect for any day of the week, offering a delicious way to enjoy nutritious legumes. This robust soup combines smoky notes with tender black eyed peas and vibrant vegetables, making it an excellent, budget-friendly meal that’s both comforting and satisfying.
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Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course: Main Course, Soup
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion chopped
  • 2 carrots peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes undrained
  • 1 (15-ounce) can black eyed peas rinsed and drained
  • 4 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a kick)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup fresh collard greens or spinach chopped (optional, for added greens)
  • Fresh parsley or cilantro chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • Large pot or Dutch oven

Method
 

  1. Sauté Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
    1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 large yellow onion, 2 carrots, 2 celery stalks
  2. Add Garlic and Spices: Stir in the minced garlic, smoked paprika, dried thyme, and cayenne pepper (if using). Cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
    3 cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  3. Combine Remaining Ingredients: Add the diced tomatoes (undrained), rinsed and drained black eyed peas, vegetable broth, and bay leaf to the pot. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
    1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, 1 (15-ounce) can black eyed peas, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 bay leaf
  4. Simmer and Flavor Develop: Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for at least 20-25 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and the flavors have melded together beautifully.
  5. Add Greens (Optional): If using, stir in the chopped collard greens or spinach during the last 5 minutes of simmering, allowing them to wilt into the soup.
    1/2 cup fresh collard greens or spinach
  6. Season and Serve: Remove the bay leaf. Season the soup with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Ladle the Smoky Black Eyed Pea Soup into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro, and serve hot.
    Salt and freshly ground black pepper, Fresh parsley or cilantro

Notes

The Smoky Black Eyed Pea Soup is a culinary hug in a bowl, effortlessly blending rich, smoky flavors with tender black eyed peas and aromatic vegetables in less than an hour. Its simplicity, combined with a hearty, satisfying texture and depth of flavor from smoked paprika, makes it an instant classic for a quick, delicious, and comforting meal.
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