Smoked Sausage and Black-Eyed Pea Stew with Cornbread Croutons
A smoky, hearty stew featuring savory sausage and black-eyed peas, complemented by crunchy cornbread croutons for a comforting Southern-inspired bowl. This american-inspired pork ready in about 45 minutes pairs olive oil, medium, diced yellow onion, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds smoked sausage links
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 2 cups black-eyed peas (canned, drained)
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups, cubed cornbread
- 2 tbsp, melted unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 12 oz sliced smoked sausage and cook for 5 minutes until browned and fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 4 minutes until translucent and aromatic.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 cups drained black-eyed peas, 3 cups chicken broth, and 1 cup diced tomatoes. Season with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1/2 tsp cumin powder.
- Step 4: Bring stew to a simmer and cook uncovered for 20 minutes until flavors meld and stew thickens slightly.
- Step 5: While stew simmers, preheat oven to 375°F. Toss 2 cups cubed cornbread with 2 tbsp melted unsalted butter and spread evenly on a baking sheet.
- Step 6: Bake cornbread cubes for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and crisp.
- Step 7: Ladle stew into bowls, garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, and sprinkle cornbread croutons on top for added texture.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Smoked Sausage and Black-Eyed Pea Stew with Cornbread Croutons take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Smoked Sausage and Black-Eyed Pea Stew with Cornbread Croutons?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Smoked Sausage and Black-Eyed Pea Stew with Cornbread Croutons?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Smoked Sausage and Black-Eyed Pea Stew with Cornbread Croutons for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Smoked Sausage and Black-Eyed Pea Stew with Cornbread Croutons?
American pork like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
