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black eyed pea stew

Quick and Comforting Black Eyed Pea Stew

An incredibly delicious, healthy, and satisfying black eyed pea stew that's quick to whip up for busy weeknights. Every spoonful is bursting with smoky spices and tender vegetables.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Dish, Soup, Stew
Cuisine: American, Southern
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

The Base and Aromatics
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion chopped
  • 2 carrots peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
The Stew Components
  • 1 can diced tomatoes 14.5 oz, undrained
  • 1 can black eyed peas 15 oz, rinsed and drained
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper optional, for a kick
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
For Garnish
  • Fresh parsley chopped

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. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
    2 tbsp olive oil, 1 large yellow onion, 2 carrots, 2 celery stalks
  2. Add Spices: Stir in the minced garlic, smoked paprika, dried thyme, and cayenne pepper (if using). Cook for 1 minute more, until fragrant.
    3 cloves garlic, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  3. Simmer Base: Pour in the diced tomatoes (with their juice) and the vegetable broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
    1 can diced tomatoes, 4 cups vegetable broth
  4. Add Peas: Add the rinsed and drained black eyed peas to the pot. Stir everything together.
    1 can black eyed peas
  5. Cook: Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the stew simmer for **20-25 minutes**, or until the vegetables are tender and the flavors have fully melded.
  6. Season: Season the stew with salt and black pepper to taste. Adjust spices as needed. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end can brighten all the flavors beautifully.
    Salt and black pepper
  7. Serve: Ladle the black eyed pea stew into bowls, garnish with fresh chopped parsley, and serve hot. Enjoy immediately!
    Fresh parsley

Notes

Expert Tip: Don't skimp on the sautéing time for your aromatics (onion, carrots, celery). This step builds the foundational flavor of your stew, allowing the vegetables to sweeten and soften properly.
For an extra layer of smoky depth, consider adding a pinch of liquid smoke or a smoked ham hock to the stew while it simmers (remove the hock before serving if desired).