Black-Eyed Pea Jambalaya (View Print Version)

Hearty one-pot Cajun dish with smoked sausage, black-eyed peas, rice, and vegetables in bold spices.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 12 oz smoked sausage (Andouille or kielbasa), sliced

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 2 celery stalks, diced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 can (15 oz) black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
08 - 2 spring onions, sliced for garnish
09 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

→ Rice and Liquids

10 - 1.5 cups long-grain white rice
11 - 3.25 cups low-sodium chicken broth
12 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes with juices

→ Spices and Seasonings

13 - 2 tbsp olive oil
14 - 1.5 tsp Cajun seasoning
15 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
16 - 0.5 tsp dried thyme
17 - 0.5 tsp dried oregano
18 - 1 bay leaf
19 - 0.5 tsp salt, or to taste
20 - 0.25 tsp black pepper
21 - 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper, optional for extra heat

# Method:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium heat. Add the sliced sausage and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until browned.
02 - Add diced onion, celery, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper. Cook for 5 minutes until vegetables are softened.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add rice and stir thoroughly to coat in oil and vegetable mixture.
05 - Pour in chicken broth, diced tomatoes with juices, black-eyed peas, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, thyme, oregano, bay leaf, salt, black pepper, and cayenne if using. Stir to combine thoroughly.
06 - Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, or until rice is tender and liquid is fully absorbed.
07 - Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Discard bay leaf.
08 - Fluff jambalaya with a fork. Garnish with sliced spring onions and fresh parsley before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's genuinely a one-pot meal: No juggling multiple pans or babysitting stovetop timers like a helicopter parent.
  • Smoked sausage does half the flavor work for you: The spices aren't just background noise; they actually sing because the sausage gives them something real to bounce off.
  • Black-eyed peas make it hearty without feeling heavy: There's protein, there's texture, and somehow it never feels like you're forcing yourself to eat it.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the black-eyed peas: The first time I didn't, the whole dish tasted a little metallic and overly salty; that liquid they come in is not your friend.
  • The rice-to-liquid ratio is everything: Too much liquid and you have soup; too little and you have crunchy regret; measure carefully the first time, then trust your instincts after that.
  • Taste before you serve, not after: You're the only one who can adjust the salt and spice to what feels right for your table.
03 -
  • Brown the sausage properly the first time: Don't move it around constantly; let it sit and develop color, because that's where the flavor lives.
  • Taste the Cajun seasoning before committing: Different brands vary wildly in heat and salt, so know what you're working with before you dump it all in.
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