Black-Eyed Pea Jambalaya (Printable version)

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

# Needed ingredients:

→ 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 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

→ 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, for extra heat)

# How to make it:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium heat. Add the sliced sausage and sauté for 4–5 minutes until browned.
02 - Add onion, celery, red and green bell peppers. Cook for 5 minutes until vegetables are softened.
03 - Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add rice and stir to coat in oil and vegetables.
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.
06 - Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 20–25 minutes, or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
07 - Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Discard bay leaf.
08 - Fluff jambalaya with a fork. Garnish with spring onions and parsley before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It's a complete meal in one pot, meaning less cleanup and more time enjoying what you made.
  • The flavors deepen as it sits, so leftovers taste even better the next day.
  • You can adjust the heat to match your mood, from gentle comfort to sweat-inducing spice.
02 -
  • Don't stir the pot after you cover it—you might think you're helping, but each stir breaks the rice and releases starch that turns everything gluey.
  • The liquid should be completely absorbed when the rice is done; if there's still broth sitting at the bottom after 25 minutes, your heat might be too low or the lid might not be sealing properly.
03 -
  • If your sausage comes in a casing, remove it before slicing so the pieces brown evenly instead of rolling around the pot.
  • Taste the jambalaya before you serve it and adjust the salt and spices—every sausage brand is slightly different, and you want to season to your preference, not the recipe's.
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