Black-Eyed Pea Collard Greens (Printable)

Southern-style stew with black-eyed peas, collard greens, smoky paprika, and simmered rich flavors.

# Ingredient List:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 large yellow onion, diced
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 large carrots, diced
05 - 2 celery stalks, diced
06 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped (optional)
07 - 1 bunch collard greens (approximately 10 ounces), stems removed, leaves chopped
08 - 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, with juices

→ Legumes

09 - 3 cups cooked black-eyed peas or 2 cans black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed

→ Liquids

10 - 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
11 - 1 cup water

→ Spices and Seasoning

12 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
14 - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
15 - 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
16 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
17 - 2 bay leaves
18 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

# How To Make:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, celery, and jalapeño if using. Sauté for 6 to 8 minutes until softened.
02 - Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Stir in smoked paprika, thyme, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute to develop flavors.
04 - Add chopped collard greens and cook, stirring, for 3 to 4 minutes until they begin to wilt.
05 - Pour in diced tomatoes with their juices, black-eyed peas, vegetable broth, water, and bay leaves. Stir to combine thoroughly.
06 - Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 45 to 50 minutes, stirring occasionally, until collards are tender and flavors meld.
07 - Remove bay leaves. Stir in apple cider vinegar. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
08 - Serve hot with cornbread if desired.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The stew gets richer and more complex the longer it simmers, so it's forgiving if you're busy and forget about it for a few extra minutes.
  • It fills your kitchen with a warmth that feels like a hug, and people genuinely ask for seconds without prompting.
  • You can prep everything in advance and let the pot do the heavy lifting while you handle other things.
  • It's naturally vegetarian but tastes so deeply satisfying that meat eaters won't feel like anything is missing.
02 -
  • Those bay leaves will hide anywhere in the pot, so take a moment at the end to fish around carefully—biting into one is genuinely unpleasant and completely avoidable.
  • Don't skip the apple cider vinegar at the end; it's the difference between a good stew and one that tastes like it has a pulse.
  • If your collard greens seem stubborn and aren't getting tender enough, you can add an extra 10 minutes to the simmer time without hurting anything.
03 -
  • Don't be afraid to taste throughout the cooking process—you'll learn what your stew needs before it's finished, not after.
  • If you want the smoky flavor without added meat, a tiny splash of liquid smoke added with the spices transforms the whole thing in the best way.
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