Vegan Cajun-Spiced Black-Eyed Pea Stew

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-10 · Updated 2026-05-10

A hearty, plant-based stew featuring black-eyed peas simmered with smoky vegetables and bold Cajun spices. This vegan recipe, ready in about 105 minutes, pairs black-eyed peas, olive oil, yellow onion 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

• 1 cup dried, soaked overnight black-eyed peas
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 1 red, diced bell pepper
• 2, diced celery stalks
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

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

Instructions

1. Step 1: Drain and rinse 1 cup dried black-eyed peas that have been soaked overnight. Set aside.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion, 1 diced red bell pepper, and 2 diced celery stalks. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until soft and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until spices bloom.
4. Step 4: Add the soaked black-eyed peas, 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juice, 4 cups vegetable broth, and 1 bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 to 1.5 hours until peas are tender and stew thickens.
5. Step 5: Remove the bay leaf, adjust seasoning if needed. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley just before serving for brightness.