Description

This comforting Black Eyed Peas and Cabbage recipe combines ground beef or sausage, aromatic spices, and hearty black-eyed peas simmered with tender cabbage for a flavorful and satisfying meal. Perfect for a cozy dinner, it delivers a rich blend of smoky, savory, and slightly spicy flavors, served best hot alongside cornbread or crusty bread.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat & Aromatics

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground beef or sausage
1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced

Seasonings & Canned Goods

1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Liquids & Vegetables

4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
2 cans (15 oz each) black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
1/2 head green cabbage, chopped

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Brown the Meat: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef or sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess fat from the pot if necessary.
Sauté Aromatics: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the pot. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until the onions are softened and fragrant, stirring frequently to avoid burning the garlic.
Add Tomatoes and Spices: Stir in the diced tomatoes, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to combine all the flavors evenly.
Simmer with Broth: Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and allow it to simmer gently for 15 minutes to meld the flavors.
Incorporate Black-Eyed Peas: Add the drained and rinsed black-eyed peas to the pot. Stir well and let the mixture cook for another 10 minutes so the peas absorb the savory broth flavors.
Cook Cabbage: Add the chopped green cabbage to the pot. Continue simmering for 10 to 15 minutes until the cabbage is tender but still retains some texture, stirring occasionally.
Adjust Seasoning and Serve: Taste the dish and adjust the salt or pepper to your liking. Serve the black-eyed peas and cabbage hot, ideally alongside cornbread or crusty bread for a comforting meal.

Notes

Using ground sausage instead of beef adds a spicier, richer flavor.
For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and use vegetable broth.
Cayenne pepper is optional; adjust according to your heat preference.
Make sure to rinse canned black-eyed peas to reduce sodium content.
This dish reheats well and flavors improve after a day.