Smoky Black Eyed Pea and Greens Hearty Soup (Printable Version)

Robust soul-warming blend of smoky black-eyed peas, tender greens, and aromatics for a nutritious flavorful bowl.

# What You'll Need:

→ Legumes

01 - 2 cups cooked black-eyed peas (or 1 can, drained and rinsed)

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 large yellow onion, diced
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 medium carrots, diced
05 - 2 celery stalks, diced
06 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
07 - 4 cups chopped collard greens (or kale or mustard greens)
08 - 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, with juices

→ Liquids

09 - 6 cups vegetable broth
10 - 1 tablespoon tomato paste

→ Spices & Seasonings

11 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
13 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
14 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
15 - 1 bay leaf
16 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Oils & Acids

17 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
18 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice)

# How To Make:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, celery, and bell pepper. Sauté for 5–7 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in garlic, tomato paste, smoked paprika, cumin, thyme, and cayenne. Cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
03 - Add diced tomatoes with juices, black-eyed peas, and vegetable broth. Add bay leaf and bring to a simmer.
04 - Stir in the chopped greens. Cover and simmer for 25–30 minutes, until the greens are tender and flavors meld.
05 - Stir in apple cider vinegar. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Remove bay leaf.
06 - Ladle into bowls and serve hot, with crusty bread if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The smoked paprika creates this incredible depth that makes people swear there is meat in the pot
  • It gets even better after a day in the fridge, making it perfect for batch cooking
02 -
  • Greens shrink dramatically as they cook, so do not panic when you first add them
  • The vinegar at the end is not optional, it is what transforms the soup from good to incredible
03 -
  • If you want even more smoky depth, add a teaspoon of liquid smoke along with the broth
  • Mash a small spoonful of the peas against the side of the pot to thicken the broth naturally

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