Black-Eyed Pea Chili (Printable Version)

Hearty black-eyed pea chili loaded with vegetables, warming spices, and kidney beans for a satisfying meal.

# Needed Ingredients:

→ Legumes

01 - 2 cups cooked black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
02 - 1 cup cooked kidney beans, drained and rinsed

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 medium onion, diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
06 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
07 - 1 medium carrot, diced
08 - 1 celery stalk, diced
09 - 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
10 - 1 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen

→ Liquids and Fats

11 - 2 cups vegetable broth
12 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
13 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Spices and Seasonings

14 - 2 teaspoons ground cumin
15 - 2 teaspoons chili powder
16 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
17 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
18 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
19 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Optional Toppings

20 - Fresh cilantro, chopped
21 - Sour cream or plant-based yogurt
22 - Sliced jalapeños
23 - Shredded cheese or vegan cheese

# Preparation Steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, carrot, celery, and bell peppers. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened and fragrant.
02 - Stir in cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, oregano, and cayenne pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant and well combined with vegetables.
03 - Add tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, stirring continuously to coat all vegetables evenly.
04 - Add diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, black-eyed peas, kidney beans, and corn. Stir thoroughly and bring to a gentle boil.
05 - Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender and flavors have melded together.
06 - Taste the chili and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed.
07 - Ladle chili into bowls and serve hot with desired toppings.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Black-eyed peas give you this creamy, almost buttery texture that feels way more indulgent than it actually is.
  • One pot means less cleanup and more time actually enjoying the meal with people you care about.
  • The spice blend comes together so quickly it feels like you're cheating at cooking.
02 -
  • If your chili tastes flat even after seasoning, it probably needs more salt than you think, or a splash of acid like lime juice to brighten it up.
  • Don't skip the step of blooming your spices in the oil because that's where the actual flavor lives, not just sprinkled on top.
03 -
  • If you use dried spices that are older than a year, replace them because they lose their potency and you'll end up adding too much trying to taste them.
  • Let the chili come to a full boil before reducing the heat because that's when everything properly incorporates rather than just sitting together.
Go Back