Black-Eyed Pea Jambalaya (Printable)

A flavorful Cajun one-pot with smoked sausage, black-eyed peas, and rice simmered in aromatic spices.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 12 oz smoked sausage (Andouille or kielbasa), sliced

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 2 celery stalks, diced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 can (15 oz) black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
08 - 2 spring onions, sliced for garnish
09 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

→ Rice and Liquids

10 - 1½ cups long-grain white rice
11 - 3⅓ cups low-sodium chicken broth
12 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes with juices

→ Spices and Seasonings

13 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
14 - 1½ teaspoons Cajun seasoning
15 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
16 - ½ teaspoon dried thyme
17 - ½ teaspoon dried oregano
18 - 1 bay leaf
19 - ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
20 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
21 - ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional for extra heat

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium heat. Add sliced sausage and sauté for 4–5 minutes until browned.
02 - Add diced onion, celery, red and green bell peppers. Cook for 5 minutes until vegetables are softened.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add rice and stir to coat evenly in oil and vegetables.
05 - Pour in chicken broth, diced tomatoes with juices, black-eyed peas, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, thyme, oregano, bay leaf, salt, black pepper, and cayenne if using. Stir to combine thoroughly.
06 - Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 20–25 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is fully absorbed.
07 - Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. Discard bay leaf.
08 - Fluff jambalaya with a fork. Garnish with spring onions and fresh parsley before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a one-pot wonder: Everything simmers together, which means minimal cleanup and maximum flavor absorption.
  • Smoked sausage does the heavy lifting: You get that rich, savory depth without fussing over complicated proteins.
  • Black-eyed peas add substance: They're earthy and satisfying, making this feel like real food that sticks with you.
02 -
  • Measure your liquid carefully: Too much broth and you get soup; too little and the rice stays crunchy in the center—the 800 ml to 300 g rice ratio is there for a reason.
  • Don't lift that lid while it's simmering: Every time you peek, you release steam and throw off the cooking time; I learned this the hard way when I ended up with partially cooked rice.
  • Taste before you serve: Cajun seasoning varies by brand, so do a quick taste test at the end and adjust salt, spice, and heat to your preference.
03 -
  • Keep your heat at medium, not high: A gentle bubble is better than a rolling boil because it gives you control and prevents burning on the bottom.
  • Buy quality sausage with actual smoke flavor: The difference between a generic sausage and a real smoked one is the difference between okay jambalaya and the kind that makes people ask for seconds.
Return