Black-Eyed Pea Stew (Printable)

Tender black-eyed peas and garden vegetables in a savory tomato broth, perfect for cozy meals any time of year.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
02 - 1 large sweet onion, diced small
03 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, diced
05 - 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
06 - 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
07 - 3 garlic cloves, minced

→ Legumes

08 - 2 cups cooked black-eyed peas

→ Broth and Seasonings

09 - 4 cups vegetable broth
10 - 1 bay leaf
11 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
14 - 1 teaspoon salt
15 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

# How To Make It:

01 - In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced sweet onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent.
02 - Add carrots and celery; cook for another 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
03 - Stir in the potatoes and cook for 2 minutes. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juices and vegetable broth. Add the bay leaf, thyme, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt.
05 - Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes until potatoes and carrots are nearly tender.
06 - Stir in the black-eyed peas and simmer for another 10 minutes until all vegetables are soft and flavors meld.
07 - Remove bay leaf, taste, and adjust seasoning if needed. Stir in chopped parsley just before serving.
08 - Ladle into bowls and garnish with extra parsley. Serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It comes together in just an hour, making weeknight cooking feel less like a chore and more like a quiet moment for yourself.
  • The smoked paprika gives this stew a depth that makes people ask what your secret ingredient is.
  • Black-eyed peas are naturally protein-packed, so you don't need meat to feel satisfied and full.
02 -
  • Don't skip the 10-minute simmer after adding the beans—this is when the potatoes finish cooking properly and all the flavors actually come together.
  • If your stew seems too thin at the end, it just means your potatoes haven't broken down enough yet; give it a few more minutes and it will naturally thicken.
03 -
  • If you use fresh tomatoes, you might need to simmer a little longer since canned tomatoes are already concentrated and break down faster.
  • The smoked paprika is non-negotiable, but if you only have regular paprika, add a dash of liquid smoke or a minced chipotle pepper to get that same depth.
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