Instant Pot Black Eyed Pea and Greens Soup (Stovetop and Slow Cooker options)

This easy, hearty, throw-in-what-you’ve got, anytime winter warmer ushers in the new year auspiciously and nourishes year-round with delicious, nutritious satisfaction.

Happy New Year! Did your tables feature any traditionally lucky ingredients? Grapes, pomegrantes, donut holes? We were going to have this cozy Instant Pot Black-Eyed Peas and Greens soup, but the crud that has been going around hit our household, and the dish was delayed by a day in favor of a head-clearing, sinus soothing olfactory sensation of Thai Lemongrass Soup. It’s never too late to playfully invite poisitivity in, though, and having a wholesome meal like this prepared in advance is a boon anytime.

As much as I can be resistant to rituals--at least, when they feel prescribed or inauthentic--I can be such a sucker for symbolism including when it's parceled with superstition.  This year, given the weekly wallop of high prices at the grocery store, soaring health care costs, and more, all the edible tokens of prosperity were irresistible: according to Southern tradition, black-eyed peas resemble coins, collard greens symbolize money, and golden cornbead…you know, gold.

I love the way the Instant Pot works wonders with beans—you don’t even need to soak them (although I did here) for perfectly cooked, creamy, satiating yields. All you need do is adjust the cooking time by 15 minutes, add in some extra liquid. Whichever way you prepare it, this black-eyed pea soup is a cozy nutritional powerhouse, Black-eyed peas deliver a high-fiber, plant-based protein source that aids in digestion and keeps you feeling full longer.

Having a bug blast through our hoursehold obviously isn’t the way we wanted to start our year, but this simple comfort of a new year meal is a soothing remedy. Paired with the deep, leafy collard greens, you’re adding a massive boost of Vitamin K, Vitamin A, and calcium, vital for bone health and immune function. Onions, garlic, celery, and carrots—add whatever veggies you have on hand for greater flavor and a wealth of antioxidants. Next, year, maybe we’ll celebrate it, paired with cornbread, for the symbolic fun, bidding prosperity to enter. This year, it’s a welcome, cozy revitalizing meal and just what we need. I hope you enjoy!

Yield: 6

Author: Wendy McMillan

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Instant Pot Black Eyed Pea and Greens Soup

This easy, hearty, throw-in-what-you’ve got, anytime winter warmer ushers in the new year auspiciously and nourishes year-round with delicious, nutritious satisfaction.

Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 30 MinTotal time: 45 Min

Ingredients

• 2 Cups dried black eyed peas, soaked at least 30 minutes and drained (about 1 pound)
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 large carrots, roughly chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 15-ounce can fire roasted tomatoes
• 1 Teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Pinch red pepper flakes
• 1/2 Teaspoon smoked paprika
• 4 Cups vegetable broth
• 2 Cups water
• 2 Cups chopped collard greens, kale, or greens of choice
• Sea salt and fresh black pepper to taste
• 2 links plant-based sausage links, sliced and cooked, or a few slices vegan smoked ham, optional

Instructions

1. urn your Instant Pot to the Saute setting and saute the onion, carrots, and pepper in 1/3 Cup water or a littlle cooking spray or oil for a few minutes to soften. Add the plant-based sausage and garlic and continue to saute a few minutes more.
2. Add the remaining ingredients and set to Pressure Cook on high with Quick Release and Keep Warm settings for 15 minutes.
3. When it’s OK to open the lid, stir in the greens and bulk up as desired with crumbled tortilla chips (or simply season to taste with salt and pepper).
4. For stovetop: Replace the dried beans with 2 cans black-eyed peas, sauteeing as above and letting simmer until vegetables are tender, approximately 20 minutes.
5. For slowcooker: Prepare as above, either sauteeing in a pan or skipping this step (minus the plant sausage), and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4. Add in the plant-sausage or ham, if using, at the end.

Notes

Note, the prep and cooking times are intended for the Instant Pot version, allowing for some steam release. Natural Steam Release will take longer, so build in an extra hour if available.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

238

Fat

1 g

Sat. Fat

0 g

Carbs

44 g

Fiber

8 g

Net carbs

36 g

Sugar

9 g

Protein

15 g

Sodium

803 mg

Cholesterol

0 mg