Black-Eyed Pea Soup is a comforting, protein-packed dish that’s as flavorful as it is nourishing. This vegetarian version keeps things light while still delivering the rich, smoky taste that makes black-eyed pea soup so special. Plus, it’s a 1-point Weight Watchers recipe, making it a guilt-free way to enjoy a hearty meal.

Loaded with fiber, plant-based protein, and vibrant veggies, this soup is both filling and easy to prepare. A slow simmer allows the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a satisfying bowl with every spoonful. Explore our other Weight Watchers dinner recipes for more healthy meal inspiration!

Savory and satisfying Black Eyed Pea Soup in a bowl with a spoon and bread on the side.

Recipe Overview

Serving Size: 450 g.
Number of Servings: 6
Time to Cook: 45 minutes
1 WW Point Per Serving. You can view the recipe on the WW App here. (WW login required.)

Ingredients in Black Eyed Pea Soup

Black Eyed Pea Soup ingredients in separate dishes.

1 teaspoon of olive oil (5 ml)
1 medium onion, diced (about 1 cup or 150 g)
2 medium carrots, sliced (about 1 cup or 120 g)
2 medium celery stalks, diced (about 1 cup or 100 g)
2 cloves garlic, crushed (10 g)
6 cups of vegetable broth (1.5 liters)
2 (15.5 oz/439 g) cans of black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
2 grated tomatoes (about 1 cup or 200 g)
1 teaspoon of smoked paprika (2 g)
1 cup of green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces (120 g)
¼ cup of fresh cilantro, chopped (10 g)
1 bay leaf
Salt to taste

Instructions for making Black Eyed Pea Soup

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and diced celery. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened. Add the crushed garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Add the grated tomatoes to the pot and cook, stirring frequently, for about 5-7 minutes, or until the tomatoes have broken down and the mixture thickens slightly.
Stir in the sliced carrots and green beans. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften slightly.
Pour in the vegetable broth, then add the drained and rinsed black-eyed peas, smoked paprika, and bay leaf. Stir well to combine. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let it simmer for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and the flavors have melded together.
Taste the soup and add salt as needed. Remove the bay leaf and discard it. Stir in the chopped cilantro just before serving.
Ladle the soup into bowls and serve warm. This soup pairs perfectly with a side salad for a complete meal.

Vegetables and black-eyed peas added to the sautéed soup base.

All soup ingredients simmering in broth.

Tips and Tricks Section for Making Black Eyed Pea Soup

Some basic tips for preparing Black-Eyed Pea Soup have to do with the cooking of the black-eyed peas themselves.

I recommend using dried black-eyed peas, first because they are cheaper and second because, just like lentils, they tend to soften quickly and evenly.
If you’re using dried black-eyed peas, consider soaking them overnight; in the morning, rinse them and cook them in clean water. In this case, save the cooking liquid to make the soup creamier.
If using canned black-eyed peas, look for a good-quality brand, and in this case, drain and discard the liquid from the can. If your soup isn’t creamy enough, you can take out a cup of the soup (including vegetables and black-eyed peas), blend it, and return it to the pot. The soup will gain a creamy consistency immediately.
When preparing the vegetable base, sauté them well until they are lightly browned so the soup develops a smoky flavor.
Finally, this soup is inexpensive and very nutritious. You can make a large batch because it freezes and thaws wonderfully.

Lentil Soup

Minestrone Soup

Mediterranean White Bean Soup

Black Eyed Pea Soup

Recipe Overview

Ingredients in Black Eyed Pea Soup

Instructions for making Black Eyed Pea Soup

Tips and Tricks Section for Making Black Eyed Pea Soup