Do you want to make your own delicious homemade Black Eyed Pea Soup? Of course, you do! Who would not be delighted to enjoy a wholesome, easy-to-make, and delicious black-eyed pea soup?!
People who have obviously not tried this delicious soup before! It is absolutely phenomenal.
But, you are going to need some instructions to get yourself started. It is for this reason that we have written this article.
With our help, there is no reason why you should not be able to make and enjoy your own homemade black-eyed pea soup!
So, without further ado, let’s dive right in and get started!
Quick Answer: Making Your Own Homemade Black Eyed Pea Soup
For those of you that require a quick answer and want to know the basic steps and ingredients to make black-eyed pea soup, this is the perfect section for you.
Firstly, you need the following ingredients: Black-eyed peas, bacon, ham hocks, onion. Celery, garlic cloves, fresh thyme, bay leaves, chicken broth, Creole seasoning, spinach, salt, and pepper.
The basic steps that you need to follow are as follows:
Soak Your black-eyed peas.
Cook the chopped bacon.
Cook the chopped ham hocks.
Sauté your onion, celery, garlic, thyme, and bay leaves.
Add the chicken broth.
Add the black-eyed peas, Creole seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Simmer for about thirty minutes.
Add some, fresh chopped spinach.
Add more stock if the beans are dry.
Take out the bay leaves and adjust the seasoning before serving.
You are going to need a bit more detail if you want this soup to turn out perfectly. So, make sure to read on to learn more about making this delicious and wholesome soup at home.
What Variations For This Recipe Are There?
Is something not quite right with this recipe? One or more ingredients don’t settle in your stomach? If this is the case, don’t worry! There are some variations that you can implement which might suit you.
For one, if you are vegan, you could use vegetable stock and not put in bacon, ham, or turkey. If you do not want any meat in this dish, you can add a bit of paprika to give it a delightful smokey taste.
If you like your soup with a bit of a kick, you can always add some spices to bring out this flavor. For example, you might want to add some cayenne pepper, chili flakes, or maybe chili powder.
Alternatively, you might want to add some habanero, scotch bonnet, or serrano peppers if you like your soup especially spicy.
Adding a little garnish to your soup can really bring out the flavor. A little bit of Parmesan cheese, or lime juice can really add some strong flavor to this dish.
If you want your soup a little more hearty, you can try using sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes. While this soup is already filling, switching out the potatoes can really make a difference.
What Tips And Tricks Can Make Cooking This Soup Easier?
Do you want to make cooking this soup easier? Well, then you absolutely have to read these tips and tricks. They are sure to help you shave some time off this laborious process.
For starters, when you soak your beans, you should do so in three tablespoons of water and salt for between three and four hours. Doing this will make your beans soft and super flavorful.
If you are in a rush to get dinner on the table, you can always skip soaking the beans. However, this does mean that your beans will take ten or more minutes or more to cook.
If you still want to soak your beans, you can do a quick soak! Simply cover the black eyed peas with about two inches of water and bring them to a boil.
Once the water is boiling, turn off the stove and allow the beans to rest for about an hour. Do this before you start cooking!
Can You Make This Soup Ahead Of Time?
If you want to make your soup ahead of time, you can do so easily. Just bear in mind that getting your beans ready will take the longest.
That being said, you can freeze black eyed peas that have already been cooked, and this can save you a lot of time down the line.
If you are keen to be making a large batch of soup, this is a great way to save time and make the whole process that much easier.
Alternatively, you could cook your soup and freeze it in plastic bags or small containers. This way you have a fast lunch on hand whenever you need it!
What Ingredients Do You Need For this Recipe?
To do cooking of any description, you really need to have the right ingredients on hand. It is for this reason that we have listed everything you require for this soup below.
Black Eyed Peas – You will need about one pound of black eyed peas for this recipe.
Bacon – This recipe calls for four to five slices of bacon.
Ham Hocks – Half a pound of ham hocks or smoked turkey is needed for this dish.
Large Onion – You will require one large onion to make this tasty soup.
Celery – This recipe calls for two stalks of diced celery.
Fresh Thyme – This recipe calls for two teaspoons of fresh thyme.
Bay Leaves – You will need one to two bay leaves to make this soup.
Chicken Broth – You require six to seven cups of chicken broth for this recipe.
Creole Seasoning – For this recipe, you will need two teaspoons of Creole seasoning.
Spinach – One and a half cups of spinach is required for this recipe.
Salt – Just a pinch of salt is needed for this recipe.
Pepper – Add just a little bit of pepper is needed to make this soup.
Now that you have all these ingredients on hand, you can finally start cooking your black eyed pea soup! It is super easy to do, just make sure to follow the instructions and you will be fine.
Step-By-Step Instructions For Making Black-Eyed Pea Soup
In this section, we are going to go over each of the steps that you should follow to make the perfect black-eyed pea soup. Let’s do this!
Step 1 – Soak Your Black-Eyed Peas
The first thing you need to do is soak your black-eyed peas. To do this, all you need to do is add the beans to a big bowl and then cover them with cold water.
Allow them to soak for between two and three hours before you start cooking with these beans.
Step 2 – Cook Your Chopped Bacon
Grab a large frying pan and heat it up with just a drizzle of oil. While the pan is warming up, chop your bacon into little bits and put them in the pan when it is hot.
Cook your bacon pieces for between five and six minutes until they are all delightfully brown and crispy.
Step 3 – Chop And Pan Fry Your Ham Hocks
If your ham hocks are not already chopped into little pieces, make sure to chop them into pieces. Once they are chopped, add the ham to a hot frying pan and cook them for about five minutes.
Step 4 – Sauté Your Onions And Herbs
Chop up your onion and celery and garlic into pieces and toss them in a hot pan along with thyme and the bay leaves.
Sauté these ingredients for between three and five minutes until the onions are wilted and slightly caramelized.
Step 5 – Add The Chicken Broth
With all of your beats cooked, and your onions sautéed, now you need to add your chicken broth to the pan. You could use water if you prefer, but broth adds a little more flavor.
Step 6 – Drain The Black-Eyed Peas And Add Them To The Pot
Your beans should be ready to go into the pot at this point. So, drain them and toss the beans into the pot along with the following seasonings: Creole seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Stir this mixture until everything has combined. Keep stirring until the water starts to boil.
Step 7 – Reduce The Heat And Leave To Simmer
Put the heat on low and allow your soup to simmer for about thirty minutes.
Every so often, make sure to stir the soup every so often. You will know that your soup is done when the beans are nice and tender.
Step 8 – Add The Spinach
Chop up your spinach into manageable chunks and then toss it into your soup. Stir it in and allow them to cook for a minute or two before you move on to the next step.
Step 9 – Add Some Stock If The Beans Are Dry
If your beans are kind of thick and dry, you should add a bit of stock or water to your soup. Your beans should have a kind of wet and soupy texture.
Step 10 – Remove The Bay Leaves And Serve
Now all that is left is to take out the bay leaves and adjust the seasoning as required. You can serve this soup with a side of your choice.
We recommend a delicious slice of fresh bread. There is nothing tastier than fresh bread for dipping in black-eyed pea soup.
What Is The Best Way To Serve And Store This Soup?
If you require a quick and delicious meal, leftover soup can really make your life that much easier. To store this soup, all you need to do is put the soup in an airtight container and put it in the refrigerator.
It will last between four and five days. Alternatively, you can freeze your leftover soup. It will last two months or more if you store it this way.
When you eventually want to eat your leftover black eyed pea soup, all you need to do is reheat it. You can do this in a saucepan on the stove top or in the microwave.
Either way, it is not difficult to do, and you can enjoy your soup in just a few minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
In this section, we are going to answer some of your most frequently asked questions regarding how to make homemade black eyed pea soup at home.
Is It Okay To Use Tinned Black Eyed Peas In This Soup??
Most of you will know that black eyed peas need to be soaked before you do any cooking.
But, if you do not have time to do this, you can always use canned beans instead. All you need to do is drain the can and rinse them.
What Other Types of Beans Can You Use In This Soup?
If you don’t have any black eyed peas on hand, you can use other types of beans. For example, you can use pinto beans, kidney beans, black beans, or cannellini beans.
All of which are fantastic options to replace black eyed peas in your soup.
What Is The Best Way To Thin Out Your Soup?
Is your soup beginning to look a little more like a stew than soup? If so, then you might want to thin it out a little.
The best way to do this is to add just a dash of chicken broth or water. Start with just a bit and add more if your soup does not reach the right consistency.
What Sides Are Best With Black Eyed Pea Soup?
Are you at a loss for what you can serve with black eyed pea soup? If so, then you might need a few ideas for sides.
Some of the best sides for Southern-style soups are as follows: skillet cornbread, hot water cornbread, sweet potato cornbread, vinegar coleslaw, or sweet potato pie.
Any of these sides will go fantastically well with this delightful soup. So, pick one that suits your tastes!
What Other Delicious Black Eyed Pea Recipes Can You Make?
Are you looking for some different ways to enjoy black eyed peas? Yes? Well lucky you! There are a ton of delicious dishes that you might find will suit your taste.
Some fantastic options are as follows: Koki Beans, Cowboy Caviar, Black Eyed Pea Salad, Red Red, and Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas.
Are Black Eyed Peas Considered Vegetables?
Black-eyed peas are not actually a vegetable, they are part of the legume family. They may belong to the same family as peas, but they are actually beans.
This misnomer just reminds us that these delightfully delicious beans have a unique black spot on each bean.
Final Thoughts
We hope that you have enjoyed reading this article and learning how to make this delicious and delightful soup at home.
It is so easy to make this soup at home, with our instructions and list of ingredients you should be well on your way to making a delightful soup just like this.
Black-eyed pea soup is rich, filling, flavorsome, and fragrant. One taste and you will be hooked!
If you have enjoyed reading this article and learning how to make this delightful soup at home, you absolutely need to check out some of our other articles.
We have tons of amazing articles there. Some of which you are sure to find interesting and maybe even useful.
Hey! I’m Lana, the original Soup Chick! I decided to create this website as I am a massive soup fan. I will literally make soup for every occasion. Whether a friend is under the weather, has the flu, or I just want to try out something new in my slow cooker!
I hope that you can find some really interesting and different soup recipes to try out with my site. I know I’ve had a lot of fun curating and trying them all, and I hope that you do too!
