
Black Eyed Pea Soup
Ingredients
- 16 ozblack eyed peas
*presoaked, See Note #1 below
- 4 cchicken broth
- 4 cwater
- 1 lbham hocks
*ham shanks or leftover ham, See Note #2 below
- 1 largeonion
*diced, about 1 1/2-2 cups
- 4 stalkcelery
*diced
- 7 clovegarlic
- ½ tspblack pepper
- 2bay leaves
- 2 tspbasil
- 2 tspthyme
- 2 tsporegano
- 1 tbspsmoked paprika
- ½ tspcayenne pepper
See Note #4 below
- 2 tbsptomato paste
Directions
- 1
Place all the ingredients into a large stockpot.
- 2
Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling stir, lower heat to lowest setting and cover.
- 3
Simmer stirring occasionally until beans are tender, about 1 1/2- 2 hours.
- 4
Remove ham hocks from beans, place onto a plate and remove meat from bones. Cut ham into smaller pieces if necessary and add back into beans. Dispose of bone and skin.
- 5
Beans may be served at this time.See Note #5 below for instructions on thickening soup.

Black Eyed Pea Soup
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About this Recipe
A Soulful Start to the New Year: Easy Black Eyed Pea Soup
Ring in the New Year with a bowl of Black Eyed Pea Soup that's steeped in tradition and brimming with incredible flavor! This recipe transforms humble ingredients into a hearty, nourishing meal, believed to bring good luck and prosperity for the year ahead. Forget complicated culinary endeavors; this soup is incredibly easy to make, healthy, and deeply satisfying.
Our Black Eyed Pea Soup stands out with its rich, savory broth, slow-simmered to perfection. The secret lies in the smoky depth provided by ham hocks (or ham shanks, if preferred), which infuse every spoonful with an authentic Southern essence. Combined with aromatic diced onion, celery, and garlic, plus a robust blend of basil, thyme, oregano, and smoked paprika, this soup develops a complex flavor profile that's both comforting and exciting. A touch of cayenne pepper adds a gentle warmth, perfect for chilly evenings.
Cooking Black Eyed Peas to tender perfection is key, and with our straightforward method, you'll achieve that ideal creamy texture. We recommend pre-soaking your peas to ensure even cooking and a shorter simmer time, making this a rewarding project for a weekend afternoon. The result is a substantial dinner that feels like a warm hug.
Serving Suggestions & Variations:
- Serve this delightful soup over fluffy brown rice to make it a complete and incredibly filling meal.
- Don't forget my Mom's Old Fashioned Cornbread on the side for the ultimate Southern soul food experience.
- For a different smoky flavor, consider using smoked turkey legs or wings instead of ham hocks.
- Adjust the cayenne pepper to your liking if you prefer a spicier kick.
Gather your ingredients and get ready to enjoy a bowl of pure comfort and tradition with this fantastic Black Eyed Pea Soup!