Hearty New Year's Black-Eyed Pea and Andouille Soup
Start your New Year on a positive note with this delicious and hearty black-eyed pea and sausage soup! Infused with flavors of savory andouille sausage, fresh vegetables, and traditional spices, this comforting dish is perfect for sharing with family and friends. Preparing it the night before ensures that the rich, delightful flavors meld perfectly, making it an ideal choice for New Year's Day celebrations. Serve it hot with a side of warm cornbread for a truly satisfying meal that brings good luck for the coming year!
8
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
chicken stock
10 cups (divided, with 8 cups for cooking and 2 cups reserved)
andouille sausage
1 lb (cut into 1/4-inch slices)
carrots
1 1/2 cups (chopped)
celery
1 cup (chopped)
onion
1 medium (chopped)
garlic cloves
2 (minced)
red bell pepper
1 medium (chopped)
fresh jalapenos
2 tablespoons (diced)
bay leaves
2 (whole)
dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon (dried)
black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (ground)
cajun spices
1 teaspoon (preferably Emeril's Essence or Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning)
dried black-eyed peas
1 lb (rinsed and sorted)
Instructions
1
Begin by rinsing the black-eyed peas thoroughly in a colander. Carefully pick through them to remove any small rocks, bad peas, or dirt.
2
In a 5-quart slow cooker, pour in 8 cups of chicken stock, reserving the remaining 2 cups for later use.
3
Add the sliced andouille sausage to the slow cooker, followed by the chopped carrots, celery, onion, garlic, red bell pepper, diced jalapenos, bay leaves, oregano, black pepper, and cajun spices.
4
Stir the ingredients well to ensure they are evenly combined.
5
Cover the slow cooker and cook on Low for 6 hours. After this time, check the black-eyed peas for tenderness. They may need an additional 1 to 2 hours to fully cook, depending on your altitude and the power of your slow cooker.
6
If the soup becomes too thick during cooking, you may add the reserved chicken stock to achieve your desired consistency.
7
Once done, serve the soup hot alongside warm cornbread for a comforting meal that embraces good luck for the New Year!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Hearty New Year's Black-Eyed Pea and Andouille Soup?
It is a comforting, savory soup featuring black-eyed peas, andouille sausage, and fresh vegetables, traditionally eaten for good luck on New Year's Day.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes approximately 8 servings.
What size slow cooker is recommended?
A 5-quart slow cooker is recommended for this recipe.
How long does the soup need to cook?
The soup should be cooked on Low for 6 to 8 hours until the peas are tender.
What kind of sausage is used in this soup?
The recipe calls for 1 pound of andouille sausage cut into 1/4-inch slices.
How should the black-eyed peas be prepared before cooking?
The dried peas should be rinsed thoroughly and sorted to remove any small rocks or debris.
How much chicken stock is needed in total?
The recipe requires 10 cups of chicken stock, with 8 cups used initially and 2 cups reserved.
Why should I reserve 2 cups of chicken stock?
The reserved stock is used to adjust the consistency if the soup becomes too thick during cooking.
What vegetables are included in the recipe?
The soup includes carrots, celery, onion, garlic, red bell pepper, and fresh jalapenos.
Is this soup spicy?
It contains cajun spices and diced jalapenos, providing a savory heat that can be adjusted to preference.
What specific cajun spices are recommended?
The recipe suggests using Emeril's Essence or Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning.
How much dried oregano is used?
The recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano.
What is the serving suggestion for this dish?
It is best served hot with a side of warm cornbread.
Can I make this soup the night before?
Yes, preparing it ahead of time allows the rich flavors to meld perfectly.
How many carrots are needed?
You will need 1 1/2 cups of chopped carrots.
How much celery should I add?
The recipe requires 1 cup of chopped celery.
What type of onion is required?
One medium onion, chopped, is needed for the base of the soup.
How many garlic cloves are used?
The recipe uses 2 minced garlic cloves.
How much red bell pepper is included?
One medium red bell pepper, chopped, is added to the mix.
How many jalapenos are used for flavor?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of diced fresh jalapenos.
What herbs are used for seasoning?
The soup is seasoned with 2 whole bay leaves and dried oregano.
How much black pepper is added?
The recipe includes 1/4 teaspoon of ground black pepper.
Does the recipe use dried or canned peas?
The recipe uses 1 pound of dried black-eyed peas.
What should I do if the peas are not tender after 6 hours?
You may need to cook them for an additional 1 to 2 hours depending on your slow cooker and altitude.
Is this recipe considered easy to make?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy recipe suitable for a slow cooker or crock pot.
What is the significance of eating this soup on New Year's Day?
Black-eyed peas are traditionally eaten on New Year's Day to bring good luck for the coming year.
How thick should the soup be?
The consistency is a matter of preference; use the reserved stock to thin it if it gets too thick.
Should I stir the ingredients in the slow cooker?
Yes, you should stir the ingredients well to ensure they are evenly combined before cooking.
Is this a healthy recipe option?
Yes, it is tagged as a healthy comfort food option.
What is the total amount of Cajun spices used?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of Cajun spices.