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Best Cozy Black-Eyed Pea and Collard Greens Stew

Best Cozy Black-Eyed Pea and Collard Greens Stew - featured image
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A slow-cooked, deeply savory stew featuring creamy black-eyed peas and tender collard greens, flavored with smoked turkey necks and finished with apple cider vinegar for a perfect balance of earthiness and brightness.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup dried black-eyed peas, sorted and rinsed
  • 2 cups dried collard greens, chopped finely (or 1 lb fresh collard greens, stems removed and chopped)
  • 2 to 3 smoked turkey necks
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or to taste)
  • 2 dried bay leaves
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 8 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • Hot sauce, optional for serving

Instructions

  1. Rinse dried black-eyed peas thoroughly and soak in water for at least 4 hours or overnight. Drain and rinse before use.
  2. Heat vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 5-7 minutes until translucent.
  3. Add minced garlic, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  4. Pour in broth, add smoked turkey necks and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.
  5. Add soaked black-eyed peas to the pot. If using dried collard greens, add them now as well. Cover and simmer on low for 45-60 minutes until peas are tender.
  6. If using fresh collard greens, add them to the pot now. Simmer for another 15-20 minutes until greens are tender and stew has a thick consistency.
  7. Remove bay leaves and turkey necks. Remove meat from turkey necks, chop it, and return to stew. Discard bones.
  8. Stir in apple cider vinegar. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed.
  9. Ladle into bowls and serve hot with crusty bread or rice.

Notes

Soaking the peas is crucial for even cooking. Keep heat low to prevent mushy peas. For a vegetarian version, omit turkey necks, use vegetable broth, and add 1 teaspoon of liquid smoke. The stew tastes better the next day as flavors meld.

Nutrition

Keywords: black-eyed peas, collard greens, stew, southern comfort food, smoked turkey, vegan option, meal prep, gluten-free

Find it online: https://tomyumy.com/best-cozy-black-eyed-pea-and-collard-greens-stew/