Black-Eyed Pea Jambalaya (Printable)

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

# What You 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
09 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

→ Rice & Liquids

10 - 1½ cups long-grain white rice
11 - 3⅓ cups low-sodium chicken broth
12 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes with juices

→ Spices & Seasonings

13 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
14 - 1½ teaspoons Cajun seasoning
15 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
16 - ½ teaspoon dried thyme
17 - ½ teaspoon dried oregano
18 - 1 bay leaf
19 - ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
20 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
21 - ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional

# How-To Steps:

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

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything happens in one pot, which means less cleanup and more time actually enjoying the meal with people you care about.
  • The smoked sausage does most of the flavor work, so even if you're not confident with spices, this dish still tastes bold and authentic.
  • Black-eyed peas add protein and substance without feeling heavy, making this both filling and surprisingly light.
02 -
  • Don't stir the rice once you've added the liquid and covered the pot—I learned this the hard way when I kept checking on it and ended up with mushy, gummy rice instead of distinct grains.
  • If your sausage is very fatty, you can drain some of it before adding the vegetables, but that rendered fat is where a lot of the flavor comes from, so don't pour it all away.
03 -
  • If your rice seems dry before it's fully tender, add a splash more broth or water and cover again for a few more minutes—rice can vary in how much liquid it absorbs depending on humidity and age.
  • Make this dish the day before if you can; the flavors deepen overnight and it reheats beautifully on the stovetop with a splash of water to loosen it up again.
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