Black-Eyed Pea Chili (Printer-Friendly)

Hearty vegetarian chili with black-eyed peas, vegetables, and warming spices for a satisfying meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Legumes

01 - 2 cups cooked black-eyed peas or 1 can drained and rinsed
02 - 1 cup cooked kidney beans or 1/2 can 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 can 14 oz diced tomatoes
10 - 1 cup corn kernels fresh frozen or canned

→ Liquids

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

# Method:

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

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour, which means weeknight dinners actually feel doable without sacrificing flavor.
  • Black-eyed peas have this tender, slightly sweet quality that sneaks up on you in the best way, making the chili feel more interesting than the usual suspects.
  • It's naturally vegetarian and gluten-free, so you're not compromising anything or leaving people out at the table.
02 -
  • If you want a thicker chili, take a spoon and gently mash some of the peas and beans right there in the pot during the last few minutes of simmering, which adds body without needing flour or cornstarch.
  • Don't skip the rinsing step with canned beans because that starchy liquid genuinely changes the texture of your final dish from silky to pasty.
03 -
  • Make this chili a day ahead and let it sit overnight in the fridge, because the flavors deepen and integrate in ways that feel almost magical by the next day.
  • Freeze leftovers in individual portions and you've basically built yourself an emergency meal system for the next month, which means you always have something warm and satisfying waiting.
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