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crockpot black eyed pea soup

Crockpot Black Eyed Pea Soup (Vegan/Vegetarian)

A healthy, easy-to-make, and flavorful black eyed pea soup that delivers warmth and comfort. The slow cooker method makes this dish entirely hands-off.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: American, Southern
Calories: 320
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound dried black eyed peas rinsed and drained
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 large carrot chopped
  • 1 large celery stalk chopped
  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • 4 cups vegetable broth low sodium preferred
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil optional, for sautéing before adding to crockpot
Seasonings
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and pepper to taste (add salt mostly at the end)

Equipment

  • Crockpot (Slow Cooker)

Method
 

  1. **Optional Sauté Step (Expert Tip):** For deeper flavor, sauté the onion, garlic, carrot, and celery in the olive oil in a skillet for 5-7 minutes until tender before transferring to the crockpot.
    2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 large onion, 3 cloves garlic, 1 large carrot, 1 large celery stalk
  2. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, chopped carrot, and chopped celery (either sautéed or raw) to the crockpot.
    1 large onion, 3 cloves garlic, 1 large carrot, 1 large celery stalk
  3. Add the rinsed dried black eyed peas, diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf to the crockpot.
    1 pound dried black eyed peas, 1 can diced tomatoes, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, 1 bay leaf
  4. Season with pepper and a small amount of salt (remember to add most salt at the end) then stir to combine.
    Salt and pepper
  5. Cover and cook on **low for 8 hours** or **high for 4 hours**, until the peas are tender.
  6. Remove the bay leaf. Taste the soup and season generously with salt and pepper as needed before serving hot, garnished with chopped fresh herbs if desired.
    1 bay leaf, Salt and pepper

Notes

The slow cooker cooks the peas without pre-soaking. The 'Sauté Step' is optional but highly recommended to deepen the flavor of the aromatics. For a thicker, creamier soup, mash some of the peas against the side of the crockpot or use an immersion blender to partially puree the soup. **Crucially, add salt only at the end.**