Frozen Black-Eyed Peas Quick Version (Printer-Friendly)

Fast, flavorful Southern black-eyed peas ready in 25 minutes using frozen or canned legumes with aromatic vegetables and smoked spices.

# What You Need:

→ Legumes

01 - 2 cups frozen black-eyed peas (or 2 cans, drained and rinsed)

→ Aromatics

02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Liquids

05 - 1 ½ cups vegetable or chicken broth

→ Seasonings

06 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - ½ teaspoon dried thyme
08 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
09 - ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
10 - 1 bay leaf

→ Optional Additions

11 - ½ cup diced tomatoes (canned or fresh)
12 - ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (for heat)
13 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for 3–4 minutes, until softened.
02 - Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
03 - Stir in black-eyed peas, broth, smoked paprika, thyme, black pepper, salt, bay leaf, and diced tomatoes (if using).
04 - Bring to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 15–18 minutes, stirring occasionally, until peas are tender and flavors meld.
05 - Remove and discard the bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
06 - Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

# Helpful Hints:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 30 minutes with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry
  • The smoked paprika and thyme create such depth of flavor that nobody will believe this was a weeknight emergency meal
02 -
  • I once forgot to remove the bay leaf before serving, and my guest politely worked around it while eating, but I learned to always double check before plating
  • Adding the liquid too hot can cause the peas to burst open, so let your aromatics cool slightly before pouring in the broth
03 -
  • If using canned black-eyed peas, reduce the cooking time to 10 minutes since they are already tender
  • A splash of apple cider vinegar at the end adds brightness that cuts through the richness
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