Easy Black-Eyed Pea Soup: 1 Simple Recipe

Okay, so you’ve decided you want to dive into the wonderful world of soup making, huh? And you’re feeling a little intimidated? Trust me, I’ve been there! When I first started cooking, soup felt like this culinary Everest I’d never climb. All those pots boiling, chopping endless veggies… it seemed like a lot! But then I realized, soup is actually one of the most forgiving and rewarding things you can make. This guide, The Ultimate Soup Recipes Guide for Beginners, is all about showing you just how easy and delicious it can be. We’re starting with a star: my Beginner Black-Eyed Pea Soup. It’s hearty, packed with flavor, and uses simple steps that even a total newbie can nail. It was one of the first soups I mastered, and it’s still a go-to on chilly evenings!

Why This Beginner Black-Eyed Pea Soup is a Must-Try

This black-eyed pea soup isn’t just *any* soup; it’s your new best friend in the kitchen, especially when you’re just starting out. Here’s why:

• Super Easy: Seriously, the steps are straightforward. No fancy techniques, just honest-to-goodness cooking.
• Loads of Flavor: Bacon, ham hocks, and savory spices come together to make this soup taste like it simmered for hours.
• Pure Comfort Food: It’s hearty, warming, and absolutely perfect for those cozy nights when all you want is a hug in a bowl.
• Simple Ingredients: You probably have most of this in your pantry already!

Essential Ingredients for The Ultimate Soup Recipes Guide for Beginners

Alright, let’s talk about what you’ll need to make this amazing black-eyed pea soup. When you’re starting out, using good quality ingredients really makes a difference, and thankfully, most of these are pretty standard pantry staples! Don’t sweat it if you can’t find *exactly* one thing; we’ll talk about swaps later. But for now, gather these up, and you’re halfway to soup success. Trust me, the smell alone when this starts cooking is worth it!

For the Beginner Black-Eyed Pea Soup

Here’s what you’ll need to get into your pot:

• 1 pound dried black-eyed peas: Make sure they’re dried, not canned! We need to soak these babies.
• 4-5 slices thick-cut bacon: Chop this up into little pieces. It adds so much flavor.
• 0.5 pound ham hocks: These are magic for soup! If you can’t find them, don’t worry, a smoked turkey leg works too.
• 1 large onion: Dice it up. You’ll need about 1½ cups worth.
• 2 stalks celery: Chop these up too, about ½ cup total.
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic: Fresh is best here!
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme: Minced. If you only have dried, use about ⅔ of a teaspoon, but fresh is so much nicer.
• 1-2 bay leaves: These just give a subtle background flavor.
• 6-7 cups chicken broth: Or just water if that’s what you have. The other ingredients will bring plenty of flavor!
• 2 teaspoons Creole seasoning: This is a little flavor powerhouse.
• 1.5 cup fresh chopped spinach: This gets wilted in at the end for a little green goodness.
• Salt and pepper: To taste, of course!

Step-by-Step Instructions for The Ultimate Soup Recipes Guide for Beginners

Okay, so now we’ve got our ingredients ready, right? It’s time to get this soup cooking! Don’t worry, I’m going to walk you through every single step. This is where the magic really happens, and you’ll see just how simple it is to turn dried beans and a few other odds and ends into something truly delicious. Follow along, and you’ll have a pot of goodness bubbling away before you know it! If you want to see some other amazing soup ideas, check out this collection of easy soup recipes!

Soaking the Black-Eyed Peas

First things first, those dried black-eyed peas need a little love. Give them a good rinse, then pop ’em in a big bowl and cover them with plenty of cold water. Let ’em soak for a good 2-3 hours. This just helps them soften up so they cook nice and tender later on. We’ve got more easy recipes right over on our recipe page if you need more inspiration!

Building Flavor: Sautéing Aromatics

Now, grab your big, heavy pot. Toss in that chopped bacon and let it get nice and crispy over medium heat – that’ll take about 5-6 minutes. Once it’s browned, add your ham hocks (or turkey leg!) and let them get a bit browned too, maybe another 5 minutes. Don’t drain the bacon drippings or all that savory goodness! Throw in your diced onions, celery, minced garlic, and fresh thyme. Sauté all that for another 3-5 minutes until the onions start to look soft and see-through. This is where all the amazing flavor starts to build!

Simmering to Perfection

Pour in your chicken broth or water and give it a good stir. Now, drain those soaked black-eyed peas, give them a quick rinse, and add them to the pot. Sprinkle in your Creole seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir everything around, then bring it up to a boil. Once it’s boiling, turn the heat down low, pop a lid on, and let it simmer for about 30 minutes. Give it a stir every now and then to make sure nothing sticks to the bottom. You want those beans to get nice and tender!

Finishing Touches and Serving

Just before you’re ready to eat, stir in that fresh chopped spinach. It’ll wilt down super fast. If your soup looks too thick, don’t be shy about adding a bit more broth or water until it’s soupy and just how you like it. Fish out those bay leaves – nobody wants to bite into one of those! Give it a taste and add any extra salt or pepper if needed. Ladle it into bowls, and I love serving this with some crusty bread for dipping. Enjoy!

Tips for Success in The Ultimate Soup Recipes Guide for Beginners

Okay, so you’ve got the recipe, you’ve got the ingredients, and you’re ready to rock this soup! But even with the easiest recipes, little things can make a big difference. One common mistake I see beginners make is rushing the simmering. Seriously, let those beans simmer and do their thing! It’s how they get super tender and absorb all those yummy flavors. Also, don’t be afraid to taste your soup as you go, especially towards the end. Seasoning is key! What tastes right to one person might need a little more salt or pepper for another. So, trust your taste buds! If you’re ever unsure about ingredient swaps, swing by our homepage for more cooking tips!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Beginner Soup

Let’s chat about some of these ingredients for a sec. That Creole seasoning? It’s basically a mix of spices that gives this soup a nice little kick. You can find it in most grocery stores, or if you’re feeling adventurous, you could even make your own blend! If ham hocks are a no-go, a smoked turkey leg works just as well for that deep, smoky flavor. And chicken broth? Totally fine to swap for water if you’re short on broth; the bacon and ham will pack plenty of flavor in there anyway. For more insights into cooking, check out our about page!

Frequently Asked Questions about The Ultimate Soup Recipes Guide for Beginners

You know, when I first started out, I had SO many questions about making soup. It’s totally normal to want a little extra guidance! Here are some things beginners often ask about this recipe. I always appreciate hearing your questions, so feel free to reach out via our contact page if you have more!

Can I make this soup vegetarian?

Absolutely! The smoky flavor from the ham hocks and bacon is what makes this so hearty, but you can totally swap it out. Use more veggies like carrots or potatoes, and add a splash of smoked paprika for that smoky essence. You’ll miss the meatiness, but it’ll still be a super comforting soup!

How long does this soup last?

This soup is fantastic for leftovers! Once it’s cooled down, just pop it into an airtight container in the fridge. It should stay good for about 3-4 days. Honestly, it tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together. Reheat it gently on the stove or in the microwave.

What is Creole seasoning?

Creole seasoning is such a flavor booster! It’s a blend of spices common in Louisiana cooking, usually including things like paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, herbs, and salt. It gives the soup a nice little warmth without being overwhelmingly spicy. You can find it in most grocery stores in the spice aisle.

Nutritional Information for Beginner Black-Eyed Pea Soup

Just so you know, the nutrition info can change depending on the exact ingredients you use, but here’s a general idea for one serving of this hearty soup. It’s a pretty good balance of everything you need! For more details on how we handle data, check out our privacy policy.

• Calories: 345
• Fat: 4g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Cholesterol: 12mg
• Sodium: 273mg
• Potassium: 342mg
• Carbohydrates: 22g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 2g
• Protein: 10g
• Vitamin A: 769IU
• Vitamin C: 4mg
• Calcium: 30mg
• Iron: 2mg

Share Your Soup Creations!

So, how did your Beginner Black-Eyed Pea Soup turn out? I’d absolutely love to know! Drop a comment below and tell me about your experience, or maybe rate the recipe if you enjoyed it! And if you snapped any photos, tag us on social media – I love seeing what you all make in your kitchens! You can also sign up for our newsletter for more easy recipes!

Beginner Black-Eyed Pea Soup

This easy black-eyed pea soup recipe is perfect for beginners. It’s a hearty and flavorful soup that comes together with simple ingredients and straightforward steps.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Soaking Time 3 hours hrs

Total Time 4 hours hrs

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Soup

Cuisine: American

Calories: 345

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

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For the Soup

• 1 pound black-eyed peas dried
• 4-5 slices bacon thick, chopped
• 0.5 pound ham hocks or smoked turkey
• 1 large onion diced (about 1½ cup)
• 2 stalks celery diced (about ½ cup)
• 1 tablespoon garlic minced
• 2 teaspoons thyme fresh, minced
• 1-2 bay leaves
• 6-7 cups chicken broth or water
• 2 teaspoons Creole seasoning
• 1.5 cup spinach fresh chopped
• to taste salt and pepper

Equipment

• Large bowl
• Large, heavy pot

Method

 

1. Add the dried black-eyed peas to a large bowl and cover with cold water. Let them sit for 2-3 hours.
2. In a large, heavy pan, saute chopped bacon until brown and crispy, 5-6 minutes.
3. Add in the ham hocks and saute for 5 minutes.
4. Add the onions, celery, garlic, thyme, and bay leaf and saute for about 3-5 minutes until the onions are wilted.
5. Pour in the chicken broth or water.
6. Drain the soaked beans, rinse, and place them in the pot. Season with Creole seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste. Stir and bring to a boil.
7. Reduce heat, and simmer, covered, for about 30 minutes while stirring occasionally, or until the beans are tender and have the desired consistency.
8. Add the fresh chopped spinach.
9. Add more stock or water if your beans become thick and dry. The texture of the beans should be soupy.
10. Remove the bay leaves and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve with fresh bread.

Nutrition

Calories: 345kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 10gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 273mgPotassium: 342mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 769IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 2mg

Notes

You can soak the beans in cold water with three tablespoons of salt for 3-4 hours before cooking to soften them and add more flavor. If you are short on time, you can skip soaking, but the beans will typically take ten more minutes to cook. Alternatively, you can do a quick soak: cover the black-eyed peas with at least two inches of water, bring to a boil, turn off the heat, let the peas rest for an hour, and then start cooking. Cooking beans in their soaking water, unless you are concerned about digestive issues, results in more flavorful beans.

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