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This hearty, smoky Black Eyed Pea Soup, is not only perfect for New Year’s Day, but is quick and easy enough to keep you warm all winter long.
This soup is full of healthy plant based protein, loaded with vitamins and minerals, and packed with flavorful spices. It’s healthy and filling and might just bring you good luck and prosperity in the New Year!
Ingredients you need
Ingredient notes and substitutions
Black Eyed Peas ~ Black Eyed Peas, or black eyed beans as they are sometimes called, is a variety of the cowpea in the legume family. Despite the name, these “peas” aren’t peas at all, but are actually beans. You will recognize them by the characteristic black spot on a cream colored bean.
Black eyed peas are mild in flavor, but high in protein, fiber, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, folate, vitamin A, vitamin K, and more!
In southern tradition, black eyed peas are said to resemble coins and if eaten on New Year’s Day they will bring wealth.
Combined with stewed tomatoes, they are said to bring health and wealth. Good thing we’ve got both in this healthy Black Eyed Pea Soup recipe!
Collard Greens ~ Collards are leafy greens that are part of the cruciferous vegetable family, which includes broccoli, kale, cabbage, and cauliflower just to name a few. They are plentiful with vitamins (K, C, A, E, and several B), fiber, calcium, iron, magnesium, folate, and even protein and healthy fats!
The leaves are much tougher than typical salad greens, which makes them perfect for simmering in this soup where they’ll get nice and tender, but not at all wilted.
Collard greens are also great for sandwich wraps. I love this method of quickly steaming the leaves to make them pliable.
While black eyed peas represent coins, collard greens are also traditionally eaten on New Year’s Day for they are said to represent paper money. Eat them together for your best chance of a windfall in the new year!
If you don’t have collard greens, kale may be substituted instead.
Flavorings ~ Chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, and oregano are added for a punch of bold flavor.
A dash of vinegar and sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley in the end liven up the dish.
FAQs
Black Eyed Peas do not need to be soaked, but soaking them will reduce the cooking time. They can be “quick” soaked by boiling them for 2-3 minutes, then removing from the heat and letting them soak for about an hour. Alternately, you can soak them in cold water for 5-6 hours or overnight. Once soaked, drain the water and fill up the pot again with fresh water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about an hour until they are tender.
Don’t have 2-3 hours…or more… to cook your black eyed peas? Yeah, me neither! For this soup, I used canned black eyed peas for convenience, which means it can be made in about 45 minutes! Just remember to drain and rinse the canned beans well to remove much of the added sodium that canned beans tend to contain.
This soup is hearty and filling enough all on it’s own, but if you want to make it stretch even further, you can serve it with rice or noodles or an easy green side salad.
Cornbread is also a perfect pair with this soup. Cornbread eaten with black eyed peas on New Year’s Day has been said to represent gold. Here are are couple delicious and easy vegan cornbread recipes to try: Jalapeño Cornbread or Pumpkin Maple Cornbread.
More vegan winter soups
- Instant Pot Split Pea Soup
- Sweet Potato Cauliflower Vegan Soup
- Easy Black Bean Soup
- Coconut Curry Soup with Sweet Potato Noodles
- Lentil Rice Soup
- Easy Vegetarian Minestrone with Pasta
- Creamy Vegan Potato Soup
I hope you love this recipe as much as we do! If you tried it, please use the rating system in the recipe card and leave a comment below with your feedback.
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For even more easy family recipes, be sure to check out my cookbook, The Meatless Monday Family Cookbook!
Black Eyed Pea Soup
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or ¼ cup vegetable broth for oil-free version
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 2 ribs celery diced
- 2 carrots peeled and diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 cans (15 oz each) black eyed peas drained and rinsed (or 3 cups cooked black eyed peas)
- 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
- 3-4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth start with 3 cups, add more if you like it soupier
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper or to taste
- 4 large collard green leaves ribs and stems removed, chopped
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- chopped fresh parsley optional
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a soup pot on the stove over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 to 6 minutes.
- Add the celery, carrots, and garlic, and sauté 5 minutes until starting to soften, stirring frequently.
- Add the chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, and oregano and stir to combine and release the fragrance, about 1 minute.
- Add the black eyed peas, diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, salt, pepper, and chopped collard leaves. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 25 minutes.
- Add the vinegar and stir.
- Serve with chopped fresh parsley as a garnish, if desired.
Nutrition
Nutrition values are calculated using online calculators and are estimates only. Please verify using your own data.
Alicia says
Made this today, and it was delish! I agree with other reviewers it needs a bit more broth (I added 1 cup veggie stock) but it was tasty. Healthy and hearty with chili-ish vibes thanks to the tomato-ey chili broth. Thanks!
Jenn Sebestyen says
So glad you enjoyed it!
CR says
I loved this recipe. I would add more broth next time if I wanted it to be a true soup. Put this in my instantpot and it was delightful. Paired with rice and cornbread. It’s going to be the New Years meal!
Jenn Sebestyen says
That’s wonderful. So glad you enjoyed it!
Becca says
LOVE it!! I Keep it in the fridge almost All the time, Doesn’t get much healthier than this recipe. Just perfect!!
Jenn Sebestyen says
I’m so glad you love it, Becca. Thank you!
Rebecca Smith says
For my entire 20 year marriage, I have obliged my husband’s family tradition by making some form of black-eyed peas and collared greens on New Year’s day. But they are both always gross and we eat enough to get our good luck. This year, he took the tradition upon himself and made your soup recipe. It was so delicious, even my picky daughter got seconds. Thank you for becoming a permanent part of our New Year’s tradition!
Jenn Sebestyen says
Oh, this makes me so happy, Rebecca! Happy New Year!
Paula Fitzpatrick says
This is an amazing recipe – thank you for posting. All of my boys loved it and were raving about it – a great way to get your black eyed peas and greens in for New Year’s Day tradition. Delicious!!!
Jenn Sebestyen says
Oh, yay! I’m so glad everyone loved it. Happy New Year, Paula!
Deb says
Great way to use left over black eyed peas. I had made a huge pot over the weekend and decided to recreate what was left ♥️ Soup is always my go to!
Jenn Sebestyen says
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Deb. Thank you!
Elaine T. says
Where’s the recipe? What measures should I take to find it? Thanks.
Jenn Sebestyen says
The recipe is on this page. Scroll down to the recipe card or hit the Jump to Recipe button that is at the top under the title.
ann sorocki says
as always, thank you for your terrific recipes; I always have to adapt for a puree; this will be very simple! We so enjoy your recipes & comments as well! healthy, safe new year! Fondly, Ann
Jenn Sebestyen says
Thank you, Ann. Happy New Year!
Nina says
Hi lovely recipe. Here in the UK I can purchase sweet smoked paprika (Spanish) or hot smoked paprika (Spanish) which would you recommend for this recipe? Thanks
Jenn Sebestyen says
Hi, Nina. use the sweet smoked paprika! Enjoy!