Black-Eyed Pea Chili (Printer-friendly)

Hearty vegetarian chili with black-eyed peas, vegetables, and warming spices. Perfect for cozy meals.

# What You'll Need:

→ Legumes

01 - 2 cups cooked black-eyed peas
02 - 1 cup cooked kidney beans

→ 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

→ Liquids and Oils

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
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

# 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.
02 - Stir in cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, oregano, and cayenne. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, stirring to coat the 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 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender and flavors meld.
06 - Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed.
07 - Serve hot with desired toppings.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Black-eyed peas give you a texture that's softer than kidney beans but with so much more personality and earthiness.
  • It's vegetarian without feeling like you're missing anything, especially when those spices bloom and wrap around every bite.
  • You can have a full dinner ready in about an hour, which means weeknight cooking without the stress.
02 -
  • Don't skip the step of cooking the spices for a minute; this transforms them from dry powders into something that actually tastes like depth and warmth.
  • If your chili tastes flat at the end, it's usually because it needs salt or a tiny pinch more chili powder, not more of everything.
03 -
  • Make a double batch and freeze half in portions; this chili tastes even better on day three, and having it ready means comfort food without the work.
  • If you're cooking for someone sensitive to spice, hold back on the chili powder and cayenne in the beginning, then let them add their own at the table with hot sauce or extra paprika.
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