Sweet Potato and Black-Eyed Pea Stew with Smoked Turkey

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty, soulful stew combining tender sweet potatoes, black-eyed peas, and smoked turkey, simmered with aromatic spices for a comforting dish. This african-inspired soups (gluten free) ready in about 95 minutes pairs smoked turkey neck or wing, dried, soaked overnight black-eyed peas, large, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 6, 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 75 min Serves 6 African cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 large diced onion, 2 diced celery stalks, and 2 diced carrots. Sauté for 7 minutes until vegetables soften and become fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, and 1 tsp dried thyme. Cook for 1 minute until spices bloom.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 lb smoked turkey neck or wing, 1 cup soaked black-eyed peas (drained), 2 cubed medium sweet potatoes, and 6 cups chicken broth to the pot. Stir to combine.
  4. Step 4: Bring stew to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer gently for 1 hour until black-eyed peas and sweet potatoes are tender.
  5. Step 5: Remove smoked turkey pieces, shred the meat off the bones, discard bones, and return shredded meat to the stew.
  6. Step 6: Season stew with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Simmer uncovered for another 10 minutes until flavors meld and broth thickens slightly.
  7. Step 7: Ladle the sweet potato and black-eyed pea stew into bowls for a warming, soulful meal.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sweet Potato and Black-Eyed Pea Stew with Smoked Turkey take to make?

Total time is about 95 minutes (20 min prep + 75 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 Sweet Potato and Black-Eyed Pea Stew with Smoked Turkey?

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 smoked turkey neck or wing from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sweet Potato and Black-Eyed Pea Stew with Smoked Turkey?

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 Sweet Potato and Black-Eyed Pea Stew with Smoked Turkey for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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.

Is Sweet Potato and Black-Eyed Pea Stew with Smoked Turkey gluten free?

Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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