Hearty black-eyed peas simmered with smoky sausage, vegetables, and Creole spices for authentic Southern comfort.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 8 oz smoked sausage (Andouille or Kielbasa), sliced
02 - 4 oz thick-cut bacon, diced
→ Legumes
03 - 1 lb dried black-eyed peas, rinsed and sorted
→ Vegetables
04 - 1 large onion, diced
05 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
06 - 2 celery stalks, diced
07 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
→ Liquids
08 - 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
09 - 1 cup water
→ Spices & Seasonings
10 - 2 bay leaves
11 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
12 - 1/2 tsp dried thyme
13 - 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
14 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
15 - 3/4 tsp kosher salt
→ Finishing
16 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
17 - Hot sauce, to serve
# Directions:
01 - Place dried black-eyed peas in a large bowl and cover with water. Soak overnight, then drain and rinse thoroughly. For a quicker method, cover peas with boiling water and let stand for 1 hour before draining and rinsing.
02 - In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium heat, cook the diced bacon until crisp. Remove using a slotted spoon and set aside on paper towels.
03 - Add the sliced sausage to the same pot and sauté until well-browned on all sides. Remove and set aside with the cooked bacon.
04 - In the rendered fat, add the diced onion, bell pepper, and celery. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until vegetables are softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute until fragrant.
05 - Stir in the soaked black-eyed peas, chicken broth, water, bay leaves, smoked paprika, dried thyme, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and kosher salt. Return the cooked bacon and sausage to the pot.
06 - Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1 to 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until the peas are tender and the broth has thickened into a flavorful stew.
07 - Remove and discard the bay leaves. Taste the peas and adjust seasoning with additional salt if needed. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve hot. Offer hot sauce on the side for those who enjoy extra heat.
