Black Eyed Pea Soup with Collard Greens

This Black Eyed Pea Soup is the perfect recipe when you want your collard greens and black eyed peas for New Year's to bring you a bowl of good fortune and flavor.

Black Eyed Pea Soup - A New Year's Tradition

Every New Year’s Day, I feed my wife and daughter Black Eyed Pea Soup with Collard Greens. That's because my mother always fed me the same black eyed pea soup. And her mother did the same.

The tradition of eating this magic combination is usually considered "a Southern thing". But I'm a true believer that it just might be the key to a year of prosperity for those of us living here in Fargo, North Dakota.

For those of you who don't know, eating black eyed peas and collard greens for New Year’s Day is supposed to bring you prosperity in the coming year. The peas symbolize coins, and the greens, naturally, represent the cash we’d all like a bit more of. Together, they create a bowl of good fortune.

As I prepared the soup this year, I shared these stories with our now 10-old daughter. She loved learning how our family connects food to traditions. The combination of bacon, black eyed peas, and greens came from my maternal grandmother. However, I’ve added my own wild game twist on the Southern dish by including some of my homemade andouille deer sausage.

Serving this black eyed pea soup isn’t just about the amazing flavors. It’s a way to pass down values of gratitude and hope. My grandparents taught me that luck isn’t just something that happens. It’s something we create through intention. By sharing this meal with my wife and daughter, we keep my grandparent’s legacy alive while making new memories of our own. Here’s to another year of good luck and great food!

Black Eyed Peas with Collard Greens

This Black Eyed Pea Soup is as easy to make as it is delicious. Here’s why it deserves a spot on your New Year’s menu:

• Packed with Flavor: Bacon and homemade deer sausage lend a smoky flavor to this black eyed pea soup recipe.
• Nutritious and Hearty: Black eyed peas and collard greens, with the onion, garlic, and bell pepper are full of the vitamins, minerals, and fiber we all need in our diet.
• Simple Ingredients: You probably already have most of these pantry staples on hand.
• Perfect for Meal Prep: Make it ahead of time. The flavors only get better as it sits.

How to Make Black Eyed Pea Soup

Follow these simple steps to create this comforting pot of soup:

1. Cook the bacon: Cut bacon slices into ¼-inch-wide pieces and cook over medium heat in a Dutch oven for about 5 minutes.

2. Add the sausage: Stir in sliced sausage and cook for another 3 minutes.

3. Sauté the vegetables: Add onion, garlic, and bell peppers. Continue to cook at medium heat, stirring often, until softened, about 5 minutes.

4. Season the mixture: Sprinkle in rosemary and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir well to combine and cook for 2 minutes.

5. Combine the main ingredients: Stir in black eyed peas, collard greens, and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.

6. Simmer to perfection: Reduce heat back to medium and simmer for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the flavors meld and the collard greens are tender.

7. Serve and enjoy: Divide among bowls and serve immediately. Serve with some garlic bread, or with cornbread for a classic Southern experience.

Pro Tips For A Great Black Eyed Pea Soup

• Prep in Advance: Chop your veggies and greens before you start cooking to keep things smooth and stress-free.
• Customize the Heat: Adjust the crushed red pepper flakes to match your spice preference. Especially if you have young children.
• Make It Your Own: Use some of the deer sausage you just got back from your local butcher, or maybe you have your own secret recipe you want to share with me 🙂
• Don’t Skip the Greens: Collard greens hold up beautifully in soups, but kale or mustard greens can work just as well if you’re in a pinch.
• Make It More Kid Friendly: Our 10-year-old daughter absolutely LOVED this soup, but if your little ones don’t like any spice you can reduce the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to only ¼ teaspoon or omit them entirely.

Black Eyed Peas For New Years Means Good Luck

Whether you’re ringing in the New Year or simply craving a comforting bowl of goodness, this black eyed pea recipe will help bring you good luck and leave everyone at your table asking for seconds. Cheers to a deliciously prosperous year ahead!

Need More Soup Recipes?

If you are in need of more soup recipes to get your through another winter, we've got plenty of inspiration for you to try one of our family favorite soups, stews, and chili.

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