Heartwarming Black-Eyed Pea Soup Recipe for Cozy Comfort

Steaming bowls of hearty black-eyed pea soup warm the soul on chilly evenings.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated this black-eyed pea soup recipe as a comforting classic.

Rich with smoky ham and tender beans, the soup carries deep flavors that dance across your palate.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this simple yet robust dish.

Each spoonful tells a story of tradition and nourishment.

Packed with protein and packed with memories, this soup invites you to savor a taste of home-cooked comfort.

Grab a ladle and let the delicious journey begin.

Cook Black-Eyed Pea Soup with Ease

• Sauté Veggie Base

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Toss in onion, garlic, carrots, celery, and bell pepper. Cook while stirring occasionally until vegetables soften and become fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.

• Awaken Spice Layers

Sprinkle smoked paprika, thyme, and cayenne pepper into the vegetable mixture. Stir quickly to distribute spices and release their aromatic oils for about 1 minute.

• Build Soup Foundation

Pour chicken or vegetable broth into the pot. Add diced tomatoes and black-eyed peas. Mix everything together thoroughly.

• Simmer and Develop Flavor

Bring soup to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and let simmer, allowing ingredients to blend and develop rich flavors for 20-25 minutes.

• Optional Protein Boost

If desired, add smoked sausage during the last 10 minutes of cooking to infuse extra depth.

• Fresh Green Finish

Fold in spinach or kale just before serving. Let greens gently wilt for 2-3 minutes.

• Season and Serve

Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley. Pair with crusty bread or cornbread for a hearty meal.

Flavor Swaps for Black-Eyed Pea Soup

• Soup Perfection Secrets: Elevate your black-eyed pea soup with these game-changing tips!
• Flavor Boosting Trick: Toast spices like smoked paprika and thyme in the pot before adding liquid to intensify their aromatic profiles and create deeper, richer taste layers.
• Make-Ahead Magic: This soup tastes even better the next day, so prepare it in advance and let the flavors develop overnight in the refrigerator for maximum deliciousness.
• Protein Power Options: Swap chicken broth with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version, or experiment with different proteins like diced ham, turkey sausage, or plant-based alternatives to suit dietary preferences.
• Texture Transformation: For a creamier consistency, blend a portion of the soup and return it to the pot, creating a luxurious, velvety texture that adds complexity to each spoonful.
• Dietary Flexibility: Easily make this soup gluten-free by using gluten-free broth and serving with gluten-free bread, or make it vegan by omitting meat and using vegetable broth with plant-based sausage alternatives.

Serve Black-Eyed Pea Soup With Style

• Southern Comfort Plate: Pair this hearty soup with warm, buttery cornbread for a classic Southern-style dining experience that brings comfort and rich flavors together.
• Protein Power-Up: Top the soup with crispy bacon bits, crumbled feta cheese, or grilled chicken strips to boost protein and add extra texture and depth to each spoonful.
• Fresh and Zesty Finish: Brighten the soup with a dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of fresh chopped green onions, or a squeeze of lemon juice to enhance the overall taste and provide a refreshing contrast to the warm, robust soup.
• Rustic Bread Companion: Serve alongside toasted sourdough, garlic crostini, or a slice of crusty artisan bread to soak up the delicious broth and create a satisfying, complete meal.

Prep Ahead and Store Black-Eyed Pea Soup

• Fridge Fresh Storage: Keep leftover soup in an airtight container for 35 days. Cool completely before refrigerating to maintain optimal taste and texture.
• Freezer-Friendly Batch: Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch space for expansion. Freeze up to 3 months for quick future meals. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare soup in large batches on weekends. Portion into individual containers for grab-and-go lunches throughout the week. Keeps well and flavor intensifies after 12 days.
• Reheat with Care: Warm soup slowly on stovetop over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally to prevent scorching. Add small splash of broth if soup seems too thick. Avoid microwave to maintain soup's original texture and prevent uneven heating.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 200 kcal

Servings: 6

Black-Eyed Pea Soup Ingredients You’ll Need

• Onion: Builds a savory foundation with aromatic sweetness and depth.
• Garlic: Adds robust, pungent flavor and boosts overall taste profile.
• Carrots: Brings natural sweetness and vibrant orange color to the soup.
• Celery: Provides subtle herbal undertone and crisp texture.
• Bell Pepper: Contributes bright flavor and gentle crunch.

• Black-Eyed Peas: Classic Southern legume packed with protein and creamy texture.
• Smoked Sausage: Optional protein that adds smoky, rich flavor dimension.
• Chicken Broth: Creates rich liquid base with hearty protein undertones.
• Vegetable Broth: Lighter alternative offering clean, vegetable-forward taste.

• Smoked Paprika: Delivers warm, smoky complexity to the soup.
• Thyme: Introduces earthy, herbal notes that complement legumes.
• Cayenne Pepper: Provides optional gentle heat and spicy kick.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing overall flavor.
• Diced Tomatoes: Adds tangy acidity and slight sweetness.
• Spinach or Kale: Introduces fresh, nutrient-dense green element.
• Fresh Parsley: Brightens presentation with fresh herbal garnish.

Soup Gear: Tools for Black-Eyed Pea Success

• Large Pot: Essential for cooking the soup and accommodating all ingredients.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping vegetables and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: For precise chopping of onions, garlic, carrots, celery, and bell pepper.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Perfect for stirring and mixing ingredients while cooking.
• Measuring Spoons: Helpful for adding precise amounts of spices like smoked paprika and cayenne pepper.
• Ladle: Used for serving the soup into individual bowls.
• Optional – Soup Bowls: For serving the finished dish.

Soulful Black-Eyed Pea Soup Recipe

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4.7 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty black-eyed pea soup brings Southern comfort to your table with rich, smoky flavors and creamy texture. Nourishing ingredients and simple preparation make this classic dish a soul-warming meal you’ll want to savor.

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Ingredients

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• 2 cans (15 oz / 425 g) black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup smoked sausage, cooked and sliced (optional)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 can (14.5 oz / 411 g) diced tomatoes, with juice
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cups fresh spinach or kale (optional)
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Sauté Foundation: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium flame, combining onion, garlic, carrots, celery, and bell pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes until vegetables soften and release their aromatic essence.
2. Spice Awakening: Introduce smoked paprika, thyme, and cayenne pepper, stirring to activate their robust flavors for approximately 1 minute.
3. Liquid Integration: Pour broth, diced tomatoes, and black-eyed peas into the pot, ensuring all ingredients are thoroughly blended.
4. Simmering Harmony: Bring the mixture to a vigorous boil, then reduce heat and cover. Allow the soup to simmer gently for 20-25 minutes, melding flavors and tenderizing ingredients.
5. Protein and Greens Enhancement: Add smoked sausage during the final 10 minutes of cooking, then fold in spinach or kale, letting the greens delicately wilt for 2-3 minutes.
6. Final Refinement: Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, tasting and adjusting to perfect the flavor profile.
7. Presentation: Ladle the aromatic soup into serving vessels, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve alongside crusty bread or traditional cornbread.

Notes

• Choose Fresh Ingredients: Select vibrant, firm vegetables and high-quality black-eyed peas to enhance the soup’s overall flavor profile and nutritional value.
• Spice Bloom Technique: Allow spices to toast briefly in the pot before adding liquids, releasing deeper, more complex flavor notes and maximizing aromatic potential.
• Simmer Strategically: Maintain a gentle, low heat during cooking to prevent overcooking vegetables and preserve their texture and nutritional integrity.
• Customize for Dietary Needs: Easily adapt the recipe by substituting chicken broth with vegetable broth for vegetarian version, or using plant-based sausage for a meat-free alternative.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg