Black-Eyed Pea Stew with Chef's Touch (Printable)

Hearty stew with tender black-eyed peas, vegetables, and savory tomato broth for a nourishing meal.

# 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 with juice
07 - 3 garlic cloves, minced

→ Legumes

08 - 2 cups cooked black-eyed peas or 1 can, drained and rinsed

→ Broth & 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, or to taste
15 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish

# How to make it:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced sweet onion and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until translucent.
02 - Add carrots and celery to the pot. Cook for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
03 - Stir in diced potatoes and cook for 2 minutes. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Pour in diced tomatoes with their juices and vegetable broth. Add 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 black-eyed peas and simmer for another 10 minutes until all vegetables are tender and flavors have melded.
07 - Remove bay leaf and taste. Adjust seasoning as needed. Stir in chopped parsley just before serving.
08 - Ladle stew into bowls and garnish with additional fresh parsley.

# Recipe Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in just an hour, proving that comfort food doesn't require all-day simmering.
  • The smoked paprika gives it a subtle depth that makes people think you've been cooking since dawn.
  • Black-eyed peas deliver protein and fiber without any of the pretension, making this equally perfect for weeknight dinners or feeding a crowd.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing canned black-eyed peas; that metallic aftertaste can surprise you if you don't.
  • The smoked paprika needs to bloom in the warm broth for its flavor to fully develop—rushing this step means missing out on what makes this stew special.
03 -
  • If your stew feels too thin after the first simmer, leave it uncovered for the black-eyed pea stage—the liquid will reduce and concentrate naturally.
  • Taste constantly as you cook, adjusting seasoning gradually rather than all at once; this prevents over-salting and gives you control over the final flavor.
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