Spicy Black-Eyed Pea Stew with Smoked Sausage and Collard Greens
A hearty, comforting stew blending tender black-eyed peas with smoky sausage and nutrient-packed collard greens, seasoned with warm spices for a soulful meal. This southern-inspired soups ready in about 80 minutes pairs medium, diced yellow onion, diced celery stalks, large, diced carrot for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 390 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
- 1 cup dried, soaked overnight and drained black-eyed peas
- 8 ounces, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds smoked sausage (such as Andouille)
- 4 cups, stems removed and chopped collard greens
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 2, diced celery stalks
- 1 large, diced carrot
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 14 ounces (1 can), undrained diced tomatoes
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 1/2 teaspoons, divided salt
- 1 teaspoon, divided black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon (optional for heat) red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 8 ounces sliced smoked sausage and cook for 4-5 minutes until browned and fragrant, stirring occasionally.
- Step 2: Add 1 medium diced yellow onion, 2 diced celery stalks, and 1 large diced carrot to the pot. Sauté for 6-7 minutes until vegetables are softened and translucent.
- Step 3: Stir in 4 cloves minced garlic, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for 1 minute until spices are fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 1 cup soaked and drained black-eyed peas, 14 ounces canned diced tomatoes with their juice, and 4 cups chicken broth. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes until peas are tender.
- Step 5: Stir in 4 cups chopped collard greens, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Simmer uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes until the greens are tender and the stew has thickened slightly. Adjust seasoning to taste before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Black-Eyed Pea Stew with Smoked Sausage and Collard Greens take to make?
Total time is about 80 minutes (20 min prep + 60 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 Spicy Black-Eyed Pea Stew with Smoked Sausage and Collard Greens?
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 medium, diced yellow onion from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Black-Eyed Pea Stew with Smoked Sausage and Collard Greens?
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 Spicy Black-Eyed Pea Stew with Smoked Sausage and Collard Greens 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 Spicy Black-Eyed Pea Stew with Smoked Sausage and Collard Greens?
Southern soups 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.
