New Year's Day Black Eyed Peas Soup

A hearty Black-Eyed Peas Soup inspired by Southern tradition and New Year’s Day gatherings — rich with vegetables, simple herbs, and the humble joy of comfort food.

Prep Time15

Cook Time40

Total Time55

Servings: servings

Calories: 107kcal

Author: Stephanie Wilson

Ingredients

24 ounces frozen black-eyed peas or 1lb dry beans, soaked
½ pound lean bacon cut into 1/4-inch cubes, about 2 cups
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped celery about 4 stalks
3 large carrots peeled and chopped
1 (15-oz) can tomatoes with green chilis
4 cups chicken broth
2 cups water
1 tablespoon dried Italian Seasoning
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
salt and pepper to taste
2 cups chopped greens spinach, kale, collards
fresh chopped parsley for garnish and crumbled bacon

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Instructions

Put the bacon in a heavy kettle and cook, stirring, until browned. Remove all but 1 tablespoon of the fat. Add the chopped onion, celery, and carrots; cook, stirring, until softened.
Add the frozen peas (or soaked beans), broth, water, tomatoes, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Cover and let simmer for about 40 minutes to 1 hour, or until the peas are soft.
Stir in additional water as needed for soup consistency and return to a boil. Then add the chopped fresh greens and cook until wilted and soft, time will depend on which greens you add. Spinach cooks quickly. Serve garnished with fresh chopped parsley and cooked, crumbled bacon.

Notes

If Using Dried Black Eyed Peas: Use 2 lbs of dried peas, rinsed and drained. Add the broth, seasoning, and tomatoes to the pot. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer about 1 hour. Then add 6 cups of water, return to a boil, and simmer for another hour, or until the peas are soft. Add the spinach and cook until wilted. Total cooking time should be at least 2 1/2 hours.
If using frozen black-eyed peas, use 2 (12-oz) bags. Add the frozen peas to the pot along with the broth, seasoning, and tomatoes. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer about 45 minutes. Remove the cover and add water as needed for consistency, along with chopped spinach. Heat through and serve.
For Canned Black Eyed Peas: Use 3 to 4 cans of drained and rinsed black eyed peas. Add the broth, seasoning, and tomatoes to the pot. Bring to a boil, cover, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, until the vegetables are soft. Add water as needed to maintain consistency. Just before serving, add the spinach and cook until wilted.

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