Sweet Potato and Black-Eyed Pea Stew with Smoked Paprika

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-01 · Updated 2026-05-01

A comforting vegan stew featuring tender sweet potatoes and black-eyed peas simmered with smoked paprika and fresh herbs for a smoky depth. This African-inspired New Year's recipe (vegan), ready in about 45 minutes, pairs sweet potatoes, black-eyed peas, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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

• 2 medium (about 1 pound), peeled and cubed sweet potatoes
• 1 1/2 cups cooked or canned, drained and rinsed black-eyed peas
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large, diced yellow onion
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 3 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup diced tomatoes
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

The Dutch oven we’d braise this in → Best Dutch Ovens for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 large diced yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Stir in 2 tsp smoked paprika and 1 tsp ground cumin, cooking for 1 minute until spices release their aroma.
3. Step 3: Add 2 peeled and cubed medium sweet potatoes, 1 cup diced tomatoes, and 3 cups vegetable broth to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
4. Step 4: Add 1 1/2 cups cooked black-eyed peas, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Continue simmering for another 10 minutes until sweet potatoes are tender and stew thickens slightly.
5. Step 5: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro just before serving. Adjust seasoning to taste and serve warm with rice or crusty bread.